Review: Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Georgia Nicolson is a fourteen year old, British girl who's family is unwilling to recognize that she is on the brink of womanhood -- or at least, that's how she sees it. She's experiencing the transition into adulthood in all it's awkward glory with bras and pimples and insecurities. She chronicles all her escapades in her diary ( she makes entries a lot -- sometimes every five minutes!) and that is what this book is: Georgia's diary. Readers hear about her cat, Angus who is half domestic tabby, half Scottish wildcat, and all around crazy; her attempts to make her appearance perfect with cosmetics and other drastic means; and all her boy-stalking, boy-trapping, or generally boy-crazed moments. Covering the course of twelve months, readers will take on one wild year with Georgia Nicolson.
   While at times I found Georgia hilarious, most of the time she seemed superficial and down-right offensive. For instance she makes several references to having to become a lesbian because she is so ugly and can't get a boyfriend. Who ever made the rule that lesbians have to be ugly and only turn to liking girls when they can't get a guy? So when Georgia isn't insulting the gay community, she's hinting at suicide. If things don't go her way or if something absolutely riveting isn't occurring in her life, she says things like, "there is no reason to live", and " I might as well kill myself". Such comments are not funny and are simply over dramatic. They are positively silly to say, considering she is a privileged teen girl from a relatively well-off family. But I will agree that she did have her witty and genuinely funny moments that managed to entice a laugh of of me. The plot moved along nicely. The conflicts seemed real ( and life shattering) to Georgia. My edition was great and had a glossary of British words and phrases so American readers, like myself, could understand Georgia a little better. Honestly, half the time I don't even think Georgia could understand herself. Overall, it is a quick read that s relatively light. Best for when you are feeling a little silly.
Level of Romance: Kissing is talked about and done quite a bit( an estimated 75% of total content). And Georgia is chasing a boy (or maybe just the concept of a boyfriend).
Rating: Okay

ISBN: 0064472272
Edition: Paperback with glossary of British phrases
Source: Public Library
Genre: Young Adult/ Teen
Sub-genre: Realistic/Contemporary/ Chick Lit
Pages: 234         Chapters: 12 chapters labeled as months
 Publication Date: June 1st 1999
Publisher: HarperTempest (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
Series: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Book One