You Could Be So Pretty
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By Holly Bourne
avg rating
2 reviews
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BEAUTY COMES AT A PRICE. AND GIRLS MUST PAY.
In Belle and Joni’s world there are two options for girls:
One, follow the rules of the Doctrine like Belle: apply your Mask, work hard to be crowned at the Ceremony, be a Pretty.
Or two, fight the rules like Joni: leave your face bare, work hard to escape to the Education, be an Objectionable.
But maybe there is a third option…
Change the rules. Reclaim your power. If you can…
What would you choose?
Uglies meets The Handmaid’s Tale for the new YA generation in this mind-blowing novel from bestselling queen of YA Holly Bourne.
Content warning – this novel deals with issues that some readers may find upsetting, including references to pornography and sexual assault.
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Reviews
Holly Bourne at her absolute best! You Could Be So Pretty is a dystopian take on what it means to be female - or is it?
I refuse to give too much away but this book was everything I hoped it would be and more. The dual narrative opens the door to multiple perspectives in this female-focused thriller that explores the minefield that girls and women must navigate in order to live.
Joni and Belle are relatable protagonists and the use of both voices gives the reader a little room to breathe as their opinions and perspectives shift with the unfolding story.
This book saw me run the whole gamut of human emotion - it made me rage and laugh and cry and smile and despair, but mostly it filled me with hope.
I could say so much more but I won't - just read it!
I found this a tough read in a variety of ways.
Firstly the different language: mask, sin, hair stripping etc. was clever but required a little bit of extra thought/concentration at first. It makes a good point though by challenging the reader to rethink things we just accept.
Secondly the whole challenge to readjust our ideas and attitudes is hard work in some ways.
Thirdly, the shock of some of the more extreme attitudes regarding the treatment of girls and women, particularly in terms of porn etc. made me stop and think about what young women and girls have to deal with today. It may not be being shown openly in screens in schools, but it’s so easily available perhaps we’re not far off that.
Lots of reviews reference The Handmaid’s Tale and Uglies… neither of which I’ve read.
I warmed to both Belle and Joni as the book progresses.
Thank you to Usborne for an early copy. I’ll be recommending this to some of the older/more mature students at my school library.
