Walking Naked
(Ed.: Don’t be shock if someone told you to read the book “Walking Naked”. Kathleen read the book and shared her views with us. Have you read the book? What are your views? You can leave us your comments too.)
Reviewed by Kathleen Tan, Temasek Junior College
Unlike what the title suggests, this book does not contain any sexual content. Actually, this is a story which grapples with the true meaning of being yourself.
I believe that most of us would be familiar with the divide between the popular and the not-so-popular ones in school. In this story, Megan - a girl from the popular crowd - learns the art of “walking naked” from Perdita, the social reject who is in the throes of developing her individuality.
When they are sent to detention together, Megan discovers that Perdita is not eccentric but merely different from the rest and fearless of standing out from the crowd.
Megan admires this quality and befriends her but does not dare to admit that Perdita is her friend in school, turning her away when with her usual clique.
When forced to choose between her clique and Perdita, Megan makes a decision she later regrets while a devastating tragedy claims Perdita’s life.
Nevertheless, Megan picks herself up and leaves her clique. Because of Perdita, she becomes unafraid of how others perceive her and masters the art of walking naked.
Personally, I feel that the tale has inspired me to hold on to my own beliefs courageously and to be unfazed by what others think. In short, it reveals how priceless individuality is.
Title: Walking Naked
Author: Alyssa Brugman
Publisher: Crows Nest, N.S.W. : Allen & Unwin, 2002.
Call No.: Y English BRU
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 11:35 pm and is filed under bookshelves. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hmm… what was this decision that Megan made, and regretted later? The title “Walking Naked” is quite “deep” in a way. Reminds me of Patrick Jone’s book titled “Nailed” (maybe that should be reviewed next).
January 30th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Megan decided to turn her back against Perdita and betrays her newfound friend. I know this may not sound uncommon in such novels but the author has written the emotional struggle in such a vivid way that the words can actually tear your mind apart reading them. Because of this on top of many other complications in her life, Perdita was driven to suicide and gave up on her life. It’s quite a sad story, unlike the usual “happily ever after’s”..rather thought-provoking
February 7th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
[…] month, I reviewed the book “Walking Naked” by Alyssa Brugman. This month, I’ve picked “Till we meet again” by Lesley Pearse. Both books […]