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Looking for some intense UKYA read with a protagonist that is battling a mental illness and a plot that will leave you in tears? The following review of Am I Normal Yet? should help you decide whether Evie’s story will interest you!
Title: Am I Normal Yet?
Author: Holly Bourne
Pages: 434 (paperback)
Point of View: 1st Person
Genre(s): Young Adult, UKYA
Instalments: Book 1 of The Spinster Club Series
Am I Normal Yet? follows the life of sixteen-year-old Evie after her release into the ‘normal’ world again. A world full of germs and catastrophes ready to happen at any given moment, a world full of dangers. At least for Evie who was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder after collapsing thanks to malnutrition. Finally being diagnosed should make her life easier and it does, but it also doesn’t. Her parents are trying to keep Evie’s little sister, Rose, well out of the loop regarding her disease, afraid she could ‘catch’ it too. Keeping her illness a secret from her friends is Evie the most important for how would they not think of her as a freak? Evie’s goal is to be normal and she would do what it takes to at least appear as such if it means keeping her friends and finding love.
Evie wants what everybody wants as a teenager; to be normal and fit in with the rest.
Juggling Friends, Love & Mental Health
Being a teenager isn’t easy. Being a teenager with mental health problems and keeping such a secret is even more of a struggle. Evie’s best friend, Jane, knew about her secret and supported her through a lot, but after Jane met her boyfriend, Joel, she distanced herself from Evie. The only good thing coming from this was her meeting Joel’s best friend and bandmate, Guy. Totally attractive, constantly stoned Guy, who was friends with Evie when he suddenly showed interest in her. Hot and cold Guy, who seems caring one minute and indifferent the next. Believe me you will want to rip your hair out sometimes.
Juggling to keep the secret from her new friends while laughing along to OCD jokes and navigating dating life threatens to overwhelm Evie, which is described excellently.
You Will Find Yourself In Tears, Laughter And More Tears
While reading this novel you might find yourself in tears, tummy-aching laughter, and then some more tears. One of the most important aspects of this novel was the depiction of how lightly people use terms like bipolar or OCD to describe what they think is comparable to such. E.g. “Oooh, I like my pens in a line, I’m so OCD.”
A Tale About Mental Health & Feminism
One other important topic this novel discusses is equality regardless of gender aka feminism. From the taboo of talking about periods to rape scenes in famous movies to reinventing offensive words that have no male counterpart such as spinster, this novel is spreading awareness of mental health and equality alike.
Am I Normal Yet? is a powerful novel that focuses on mental health and feminism. Even though the main protagonist has OCD and GAD the monologues of her feelings regarding it covers several mental illnesses, which makes it very relatable for those suffering from such and gives people who want to understand the topic better, an excellent insight into the chaotic and emotionally insane world of having a mental disorder. A potential trigger warning might be in order for those afflicted for this exact reason.
Emotionally Challenging
You might not always like the honest voice and actions of Evie and many times will sigh an ‘Oh, Evie.’ but she’s a teenager just wanting to be accepted and makes mistakes just like everybody else. Emotionally this novel might challenge you, but that’s what’s so wonderful about it.
This is a novel for people who want to educate themselves on mental health, for those suffering to think ‘Finally, somebody gets it.’ and for those willing to feel deeply and intensely.
If this review made you want to read Am I Normal Yet?, you can buy it here: Thalia | Amazon USA
