book thoughts: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, The
E. Lockhart
'Girl Power' is a phrase that was used to death in the late 1990s, and has now lost all meaning to the current generation. But if real 'Girl Power' was to make a comeback, I think the story of Frankie Landau-Banks and her participation in the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds would be worthy of the label.
Frankie is a quirky girl from a relatively well off family. She attends a private boarding school, Alabaster, and is just about to begin her sophomore year. The semester is off to a a good start when she bumps into Mathew Livingston, the boy she had a crush on all last year. The two become a couple but Frankie soon learns she must share Mathew with his group of friends, headed by Allesandro, Alpha to his friends. Tired of being ditched by Mathew whenever Alpha calls, Frankie decided to follow him to see where he runs off to. She discovers the world of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, a secret society for (rich) boys only. But Frankie doesn't get angry, she instead tries to figure out how she can infiltrate this powerful and exclusive group.
This book is a fast, quick read with memorable characters and a lot of surprises. What could easily turn into a story of a jealous girlfriend trying to reclaim her man instead becomes a story about power - what it means, who has it, and how the rest of us can get it. It is a story of ambition. It is a story of relationships - not just dating, but the strong friendships and bonds we have with certain people and what function they serve. It is the story of the Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.
Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com