Title: Prep
Author: Curtis Sittenfeld
First published January 17, 2005
420 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780812972351 (ISBN10: 081297235X)
Rating: 3.42
Overview
In Curtis Sittenfeld’s Prep, readers are taken on a journey through the complex world of adolescent angst and social hierarchy. When Lee Fiora begins her freshman year at the prestigious Ault School in Massachusetts, she is immediately struck by the glossy image presented in the school’s brochure.
But as she navigates the cliques and rituals of her new classmates, Lee finds herself constantly feeling like an outsider. Despite this, she becomes a shrewd observer of the school’s inner workings and eventually finds her place among her peers.
However, when her behavior takes a self-destructive turn, Lee’s carefully crafted identity is shattered. Through Lee’s experiences, including complicated relationships with teachers, intense friendships with other girls, and conflicts with her distant parents, readers are given a poignant and relatable glimpse into the universal struggles of adolescence.
Prep is a witty and insightful coming-of-age story that expertly dissects the themes of class, race, and gender in a world where fitting in is everything.
About the Author
Curtis Sittenfeld has authored six novels that have been widely acclaimed and have become New York Times bestsellers. Her works include Rodham, Eligible, Prep, American Wife, and Sisterland, along with the compilation You Think It, I’ll Say It. Her writing has been translated into thirty different languages.
In addition to her novels, Sittenfeld has also written short stories that have been featured in publications such as The New Yorker, The Washington Post Magazine, and Esquire. She has even been a guest editor for The Best American Short Stories.
Her nonfiction writing has been published in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, and Vanity Fair. She has also made appearances on public radio’s This American Life.
Editoral Review
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, first published on January 17, 2005, is a thoughtful novel about adolescence and social class, following the life of Lee Fiora, a scholarship student from South Bend, Indiana, who attends the prestigious Ault School in Massachusetts. The author, Curtis Sittenfeld, is a critically acclaimed novelist and a graduate of Stanford University, the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
The novel is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of identity, race, and class as Lee navigates her new environment at Ault and grapples with the expectations of her peers and herself. The story is set against the backdrop of the late 1990s, and Sittenfeld expertly weaves historical and cultural references throughout the narrative to provide contextual depth.
Lee is a complex and well-developed character, and the supporting cast is equally dynamic. The novel’s pacing is steady, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish as Lee experiences the trials and tribulations of high school life.
Sittenfeld’s writing style is clear and concise, with a keen attention to detail that elevates the prose. One of the strengths of Prep is Sittenfeld’s ability to capture the nuances of adolescent relationships, especially with regards to social hierarchies and power dynamics.
The novel is not without its flaws, however. At times, the pacing can feel slow, and some readers may find it difficult to connect with Lee’s character due to her reserved demeanor.
Overall, Prep is a moving and thought-provoking novel that offers an insightful commentary on social class and adolescence. Sittenfeld deserves credit for creating a story that is both entertaining and deeply meaningful.
This novel will appeal to young adult readers, as well as anyone interested in themes of social inequality and self-discovery. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
