Melina Marchetta; The books that hurt

Melina Marchetta is one of my favourite authors. I very rarely single out an author, but I'm so impressed with Marchetta's work from her contemporary books to her fantasy reads.


Let's first look at all the awesome books Melina has written. 



* click on the covers to be redirected to Goodreads. 

Of all the books here, there are only two I haven't read: Looking for Alibrandi, which I'll be searching for soon, and Quintana of Charyn, which is probably one of my most awaited books ever. I'm currently reading The Piper's Son. As you can see, Marchetta is a very well established author who has branched out, successfully, to different genres. 

Why she is awesome

Melina Marchetta has this talent of making me connect to her characters. I've spent several days in dark moods when reading of her characters' suffering. It's strange; somehow, some authors are just able to write stories that speak to you. Melina Marchetta is like that. Her stories are different from what I read. It's pretty well known by now that I don't consider myself very into contemporary, but somehow that doesn't stop me from loving her books.

Her books all feature pain. Sometimes crushing pain, but often the pain that lingers. That keeps punishing, one blow at a time. It can be the pain that comes from a broken family; the pain that comes from loss; the pain that comes from duty. It's there though, and the way it's written is incredible. 

Melina Marchetta has a very distinct writing style. Her books are not meant to be fun or easy reads. You need to think. Sometimes I need to reread and remember some important details. The writing jumps around a lot. There are flashbacks and scene changes. There are scenes that make me want to cry because the world is just so awful, and within the sadness there are these completely ordinary moments that are like epiphanies. Like, gee, life can suck sometimes, but there's this: laughing with your friends even when you're not happy. The ridiculous things your sisters say. The people that care about you, always there. These little moments of sunshine and it's borderline insane because I eat it all up. 

It's even the same in her fantasy novels. They're so dark, but completely engrossing. The characterization is so fantastic. I can clearly imagine every one of her characters as people. They're real to me and I think that's an awesome power for an author like her to have. It's also terrifying because for some reason, I'm always extra empathetic towards her characters and it's hard to feel that much hurt. 

As an author, she impresses me. While her books do hurt, they're also journeys. They make me feel like I'm growing up and learning something. They're worth it. 

I know everyone has this type of author. Someone who's stories you know you will always read because their writing speaks to you. Melina Marchetta is mine. Who's yours?

-P.E.

13 comments:

  1. Such a great post! We totally agree about Marchetta -- she just guts you, you know?

    In the YA realm, Maggie Stiefvater is on this list for us, as is Laini Taylor. Oh, and John Green, too! All of them can be brutal to their characters, but in the best possible way.

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    1. I've read one John Green book (The Fault in Our Stars) and it gutted me so bad that I'm terrified to read another book of his. I think this is the most beautiful think about writing- when the words speak to the reader.

      Also, thanks. I always enjoy reading your comments.

      -P.E.

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  2. I have yet to read Marchetta's work, but from what you've written here, I'm definitely interested in exploring it! Not that I enjoy reading books in which people hurt, because they get me depressed. But I'm willing to try this author out, anyway. That's because I LOVE when an author really makes characters come alive!

    I featured a guest review of "Jellicoe Road" some time back. The review was done by Jessie @ Ageless Pages Reviews. So I need to start by reading this Marchetta book first.

    BTW, could I get your permission to publish this terrific post of yours on my blog, A Night's Dream of Books? I really enjoyed reading it!! Let me know! : )

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    1. I definitely recommend you trying out a book by her. I love her writing and I think she's very underrated.

      You have my permission to use some of this post (not the entire thing) with maybe the inclusion of your own thoughts too, as long as The Sirenic Codex is credited of course. I'm glad you like it so much and thanks for visiting. :)

      -P.E.

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  3. I definitely don't think there's another author who has made me FEEL as much as Melina Marchetta has. She digs deep, emotionally, for sure. I still need to read Alibrandi as well, but it's definitely on my list!

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    1. It's an amazing talent she has. A little scary too. :p Thanks for visiting!

      -P.E.

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  4. Marchetta is that author for me too! My favorite!

    http://jackieleasommers.com/2012/11/30/melina-marchetta/

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    1. Great post! I definitely agree with you on all counts.

      -P.E.

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  5. Hey, Mari!

    You're very welcome! Actually, I do want to use the entire post. I want it to be a guest post from you. That means I would be introducing you and your blog to my readers. I don't think it would work as my own post with quotes from you, because I've never read Marchetta. So any thoughts about her work that I might have, would be purely speculative.

    I've had other bloggers do guest posts on my blog before. I simply introduce them, and then share their post.

    I hope you will allow me to do it that way. It's done all the time on the blogosphere!

    Thanks!! : )

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    1. Hi,

      Thanks for getting back to us but as it is, this post was written as original content solely for the readers of TSC. Therefore, we don't feel comfortable having its entirety posted on another blog. We hope you understand.

      Thanks,

      P.E. & Mari

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  6. Well, you're entitled to your opinion. It's just that I've done guest posts on other blogs myself, and other bloggers have also done the same on my blog. But if you feel that way, no problem! : )

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  7. I've started the Lumatere Chronicles (I have yet to read Quintana as well) and oh my goodness, everything you say in this post is so true! I absolutely love Melina's writing, and the way she gets me to feel for her characters is amazing. I hope to read Saving Francesca soon, and hope that I love it because like you I'm not really into contemporary reads. This was such a great post!

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    1. Thanks! And I could go on and gush forever about Melina Marchetta. The Lumatere Chronicles are among the books I most recommend so I love meeting people who feel the same way. :)

      -P.E.

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