Her father wanted to name her Obedience. What does that tell you about her parents. Due to an apartment fire she's forced to meet and interact with people doing things she'd always thought herself incapable of. Making friends, driving Ellen the playwright to work, being a muse to one actor while dealing with an attention monopolizing actress. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and watching Pru grow and learn to soar. ( )

What I Thought:

Wow! What an absolutely brilliant book. I cannot begin to express how many levels I loved this book on. I must admit, I can imagine this book being a bit of a Marmite type. There are parts of the books that some people may not like, as they do not find it realistic or get fed up with Pru's way of handling things, but I ask them to step back, read the WHOLE book and then stop to think about the overall message. I believe even they will find they respect the intricate layers of message and inspiration in Pfeiffer's words.

I was hooked on this book the moment braless, cat-saving, pyjama wearing Pru climbed out her window on the hot Fireman's shoulder. Already, I could feel the damaged person inside Pru, the depression, angst and low self-esteem issues she was battling. These diseases/conditions are silent sufferers, and poor Pru was living a life riddled with these daily battles. She is intricate, deep and inspiring, as we read along and see Pru grow and learn to manage her problems.

This book is so raw, so real, just like the play that takes place in the book. Prefer has not hidden behind a screen, making the book easy to digest. She has thrown the life of Pru and her challenges at you, fully detailed, creating an explosion of emotion, pride, love and hate. As we read, we follow along on the roller coaster of emotion, that is Pru. No, she doesn't always succeed, especially when it comes to her parents. However, throughout the story she grows - learning to trust in herself and others, opening like a beautiful orchid to social interaction, building her self esteem and accomplishing her daily goals - for a person in Pru's position, these times of growth are MAJOR accomplishments. I love her joy and loving expressions as she falls for her friends, opens her heart and even stands up for herself. She is so real and complete that I almost feel like I am beside.

Pfeffer has written this book so well that I felt like it was real. As a sufferer of a life-long condition, I know the struggle of trying to get through goals and daily challenges. This book was inspiring and heart-warming, giving me more hope in the possibility of a life of growth and accomplishment, just like Pru. I LOVED this read and have already started recommending it to fellow readers! ( )