ELLEgirl reads...What Happens Here

Fragile relationships, flawed souls, unexpected loss, and coming of age (the ever-present theme in “young adult” novels) are the centerpieces in Tara Altebrando’s gut-wrenching novel What Happens Here. It may all sound cliché, but the book is anything but. I was reminded of this the other day when I was on the train and overheard two Nicole Richie clones discussing their future: “We’ll marry architects, go to wine tastings, have cool artsy jobs, go shopping after afternoon tea, own multiple homes (villas and town houses, of course), throw intimate dinners with our closest couple friends, and have beautiful well-mannered babies that will most def be BFFs too.” I ask, shallow or innocent?

Like these girls, Altebrando creates characters who are so flawed, yet genuine, that it doesn’t even read like fiction. Chloe, the story’s narrator who is an incredibly unique character, is on a quest for fulfillment. But the question when reading is, what kind of fulfillment? Chloe and her best friend Lindsay are the daughters of best friends who are more like sisters. Having shared everything together, the duo learns that they will not be sharing their first European trip, as they had planned out like those two friends I overheard on the train. When Chloe and her family arrive in Europe, she is in awe of the experience, but still wishes her bestie Linday were with her. Still a little unsettled because of an argument with Lindsay before she left, Chloe surprisingly meets a European cutie, Danny. He helps boosts up her spirits and shows her a great time, but Chloe has her mind on other things! As Chloe enjoys her vacay she can’t help but fuss over whatever Lindsay maybe doing.

My heart started thumping when an unexpected twist occurs in the novel—which is to say, this book definitely does not disappoint. One of the biggest misconceptions about teen novels is that it will, by default, be corny read right from the first page. What Happens Here proves that belief wrong, since it raises a lot of questions that force the reader to challenge her personal definition of fulfillment, and leaves her with plenty of questions. So ELLEgirls, I pose this question for you to think about: What’s your quest in life?—Patrice Floy

Let us know what you thought about What Happens Here in the comments section, and don’t forget to start reading these upcoming ELLEgirl Book Club picks:
May 28: Fancy White Trash by Marjetta Geerling
June 4: Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers

Comments

[Little Willow]

I think very highly of this book. When I wrote my review of What Happens Here, I just kept writing and writing, unaware of the length of my post until I posted it - http://slayground.livejournal.com/345657.html

This book has so many layers to it that one could peel it back for days and still have more to find. HIGHLY recommended.

[sara z.]

I absolutely loved this book. I just posted an interview with Tara today on my blog: http://www.sarazarr.com/?p=592

(And by the way, my quest in life is to enjoy it without always worrying that something bad is probably about to happen...much like some of Tara's characters!)