Not Enough Bookshelves: Book Review – Guitar Highway Rose by Bridget Lowry

Monday, 29 August 2011

Book Review – Guitar Highway Rose by Bridget Lowry

Popular and smart, fifteen-year-old Rosie Moon is the quintessential good girl. She also wishes she could be someone else for a while, someone more interesting. Asher Fielding is the mysterious new boy at school who has dreadlocks and a love of Jim Morrison. On the first day of tenth grade, Rosie develops a crush on Asher, and when the two pair up for a poetry assignment they quickly form a bond. When Asher is falsely accused of stealing a wallet at school, he and Rosie decide to escape it all–their families, their school, their ordinary town–and hitchhike up the Australian coast. They know they shouldn’t, and that is exactly why they do. Part road story, part love story, Guitar Highway Rose is a thrilling ride for anyone who has ever dreamed about escaping everyday life, even just for a little while. (from Goodreads)


I inhaled this book, it’s so gorgeously told, so vibrant, and sensory. I could see the waves on the beach, smell the salt air, taste the pasta and porridge, and feel Rosie’s intense longing for something to happen. It made me want to pack everything up in a blue VW van and head for Australia, to road trip up and down the coast.


Guitar Highway Rose is a coming of age story and it really captures how it feels to be a teen. To have that longing for change and control over your life.


  
I loved Rosie and Asher the two main character, but this book also brims with wonderful secondary characters. The multiple points of view, which dart between characters (there are no chapters and sometimes no punctuation), lets you see a little of everyones’ thoughts and I really enjoyed that. The format feels so fresh and original and a perfect fit for the story.


I highly recommend Guitar Highway Rose, it’s definitely got a spot on my beloved bookshelf.


Here’s a taste

My name is Rosie Moon. My star sign is Aries. I come from a long line of women who have flower names. I am nearly sixteen. I live near the sea. I like reading, roses, swimming, late nights, chocolate, clouds. I’m hungry for a juicy life. I lean out the window at night and I can taste it out there, just waiting for me.



8 comments:

  1. oooh this sounds great! Thanks for the review!

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  2. i love this book, and this cover.i have the old browny one which is nice too 🙂
    have you read her other books?

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  3. I hope this is available in the US, because it looks amazing! Love the title, too. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  4. Ooooh, there is something so magical about books you can inhale. Awesome review. Can't wait to read this one!

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  5. Gorgeous review! I love this book it really brings back memories about being a teen and also the writing is just funky yet beautiful 🙂

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  6. This sounds like just the kind of book I'd love. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the review!

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  7. Sarah – It is 🙂

    Anna – no I haven't I'll be trying to track them down. The cover si so gorgeous.

    Meredith – It really is and me too on the title.

    Missie – Yes there really is. I love books you can read in one go and get completely lost in that world.

    Nic- the writing is brilliant. i wish I'd read it as a teen.

    Karen – I hope you like it.

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  8. i am SO glad you loved this <3

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I adore comments, so thanks so much for taking the time. I'll try and return the favour 😀