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Laurinda

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Laurinda

By: Alice Pung
Narrated by: Aileen Huynh
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About this listen

When my dad dropped us off at the front gate, the first things I saw were the rose garden spreading out on either side of the main driveway and the enormous sign in iron cursive letters spelling out Laurinda. No "Ladies College" after it, of course; the name was meant to speak for itself. Laurinda is an exclusive school for girls. At its secret core is the Cabinet, a trio of girls who wield power over their classmates - and some of their teachers.

Entering this world of wealth and secrets is Lucy Lam, a scholarship girl with sharp eyes and a shaky sense of self. As she watches the Cabinet at work and is courted by them, Lucy finds herself in a battle for her identity and integrity.

Funny, feisty and moving, Laurinda explores Lucy’s struggle to stay true to herself as she finds her way in a new world of privilege and opportunity.

©2014 Alice Pung (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Bullying Bullying & Abuse Difficult Situations Family & Relationships Friendship Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Multicultural Funny

Critic Reviews

"Alice Pung totally nails it with Laurinda. Funny, horrifying, and sharp as a serpent’s fangs." (John Marsden)
"Schoolgirl Lucy Lam was one of this year’s best characters - smart, hardworking and brave. Pung tackles big issues with a light touch." ( The Herald Sun)
All stars
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I felt it was a bit slow to start with but picked up about 1/2-2/3 of the way through. Some really good moral messages made- I'd really like my teenage daughter to read it....

Slow to start but worth finishing

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This was an enjoyable listen, nice morals and values instilled in the text. took a little while to get into the text.

Review Laurinda

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As both a former teacher in both disadvantaged area schools as well as private schools this book touched upon many recognisable elements. I am currently also a recent immigrant to Australia and many societal aspects are addressed in this book too. Great read!!

Loved it!

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The general reading of it reminded me of my high school days as an Asian scholarship recipient attending a suburban private school filled with microaggressions and blatant racism. 

The characters are pretty alive and accurate. Not at all exaggerated and as real as they had been in my memories. 

Loved the structure of the letter format and the whole "Life of Pi" kinda spin to it that the author gave to the character Linh. 

Captures the high school life of the 90s-00s well

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Look, to be fair... It just wasn't my cup of tea. The performance was super, but the storyline for me was rather insipid and in inspiring. I also feel that having seen underprivileged children in these scholarships, more often than not they rarely find a place in these unfamiliar good fortune circumstances. It left me feeling like the story was unbelievable and again, insipid.

Struggles and self discovery

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.