MY LIFE IS A WEDGIE - Gretel Killeen (Big Brother)

This novel is written as Fleur’s diary. Fleur is a fifteen year old girl, although she looks much older. Fleur describes herself as looking like a suffocating lizard crossed with a supermodel. Fleur feels lost and alone, sees her family as a disease and is very imaginative. She has two younger sisters (called Miss Priss and Bumface). Her Mum is a terrible cook and is said to burn charcoal for dinner; she is described as looking like a lilac beachball wearing sensible shoes. Fleur’s step-dad dresses like a dishcloth, is called The Pip and is always doing something strange, funny and amusing. Her step-mother is called Babette; she looks like a fat, dry, white biscuit and has a baby that looks like a Chihuahua. Fleur’s dad looks like a ball of wet toilet paper, he is quite boring and is hardly noticeable. One of the most interesting characters in this novel is Fleur’s grandmother. Fleur’s grandmother likes to eat cat food, be the centre of attention and is a nymphomaniac. Everyone in Fleur’s family seems to be completely mad, but very entertaining and funny.

The novel has many settings including a van, an airport, a boat, the ocean and an aeroplane, all in the space of only two weeks. If you like the sound of the novel so far keep reading and I’ll tell you the basic plot.

This story is anything but predictable. The novel starts with a humorous introduction to each member of the family. Fleur’s grandmother wins tickets for the entire family to visit Europe. This hilarious family even makes you laugh just by driving to the airport. When they finally get into the aeroplane it is hijacked and the entire family makes an interesting escape. What will happen next? Will they live? Will they die, or will they fight? … You’ll have to read the novel to find out.

“My life as a Wedgie” is the sequel to “My life is a Toilet”. It is a tale of Fleur Trotter, her hilarious story of life, love, humiliation, near death experiences, imagination, expanding bottoms and a wacky fashion statement. Written by Gretel Killeen, the current host of Big Brother, this novel is one you must read.

I recommend this novel to those in their teens as it is written in a humorous way to keep our attention. It is suited to those aged between twelve and fifteen years old. I give the novel an eight out of ten.