Carnegie winner Meg Rosoff’s What I Was will surely find a place on the shortlists for major prizes”
— Publishing News
Meg Rosoff is one of a handful of gifted writers to have seized adolescence as a territory worthy of respect. (Her books) are mordantly funny and searingly well written, they read like Samuel Beckett on Ecstasy.”
— The Times
Readers of Rosoff’s previous books, How I Live Now and Just In Case will know what a disturbing writer she is, and how disconcertingly she shifts the perspectives of time, place, reality and human relationships from those we are used to. What I Was maintains her remarkable gift for turning human life into an unfamiliar event. It’s a highly original study of intense self-love, in all its solitude. Yet as before with Rosoff, this story of bleak and unstable existence ends on a surprising note of thanksgiving.”
— Books for Keeps
Every bit as compelling and all-encompassing as the multi-award-winning ‘How I Live Now’ and ‘Just In Case’ (for which she picked up this year’s Carnegie Medal), What I Was is another coming-of-age novel which sucks the reader whole into its universe.”
— Five star review, Time Out
The narrator of Carnegie Medal winner Rosoff’s latest and perhaps most perfect novel is a 16-year-old boy who has been expelled from two boarding schools and finds himself dumped in a third, near the Suffolk coast. The school is all arbitrary rules, pretentious tradition and routine bullying. But on the beach nearby the boy finds a fisherman’s hut occupied by beautiful, competent Finn, who is everything he wishes he could be himself: athletic, self-sufficient, able, free. The relationship that follows becomes an escape and an obsession, pure and transporting, and a turning point in a life remembered by the narrator at the age of 100. It makes us fall in love not only with Finn but also with the Suffolk coast, the land, the sky and the sea passionately described in airy and crystalline prose. It’s already a classic.”
— Sunday Times
I just finished your book “What I Was” and I had to search for more of your novels. I have read so many books and nothing has made my heart ache or my throat sting (I assure you, in a unforgetable/pleasing way) like this masterpiece has done. The way you word everything is so soothing yet just so powerful. I hate myself for reading this book as fast as I did…but here I am babbling…I know you get many comments saying what I want to, so i’ll just get to the point;
Thank you for writing this unforgettable book Meg, I will read it over and over and know I will always be taken far away from my own home to the salty ocean, into the hut being swallowed by the sea.
I read this for a school assignment, and usually I HATE being told what to read (I like to choose my books because I know what I like), but this book was AMAZING!!! I cried a little bit at the end!!! It was so good, I decided to read How I Live Now and that is amazing too!! I’m hoping to read the rest of your books VERY soon! Keep on writing more amazing books Meg!!
Thanks Alice. So glad you like them. xmeg
There’s something about your books that gives solace, happiness and peace. I have read all but 2 (Vamoose and How I live now) which are top priority on my list of books to read ASAP.
I won’t take ages saying how inspirational and fantastic your writing is, because I’m sure lots of people have already told you this and I agree. The first book I read by you was Just In Case and since I picked that book off the shelf and opened the first page I have been captured and engrossed by your work.
I would like to be a writer myself someday and what I really wanted to say was that this book, like all your others, has effected me in countless ways and I am eternally grateful to you for writing it.
You must be a very deep and insightful person and I would love to meet you one day.
Meg I have nearly finished what I was as a class book which a few people have chosen to read. I have loved it so far a can’t wait to read the end.
Meg I just fineshed your book What I was. I would lick to tell you that you book was great. I fealt lick I was rihet there in the hut and could not put it doun for a minet. I loved it and look farwed to reading your ather book. Also I wouls lick to tell you that there are no wourds to describe your writing. You inspire me to be cume a better writer. I well never forget what I was because because it is a amazing book.:)
this is such a brilliant book! the idea of this story is amazing. you have a way with creating incredible twists and what i was is no exception.
Thank you Tara. You’ve been on a reading binge!
My friend and I saw this book at our public library and we got two copies to read, I finished your book in two days, and I am a very slow reader (my friend- not so much
) I must say you are a master of SUSPENSE!!! i could not stop reading till the very end!!
Dear Meg
I really love your books. My favourites have to be ‘How I Live Now’ and ‘What I Was’. Even though I’m just becoming an adult now, they have to be two of the best books I ever read as a teenager. I would love it if you could write more books like those two. As somebody who reads all the classics now, and is preparing for ‘serious’ English at Oxford University, your books are a welcome relief- straight forward to read, but books that get to your heart and soul. Please keep writing.
Lauren
Thanks for your lovely words, Lauren. I think you’ll like the one I’m writing now….it’s called Picture Me Gone. But you’ll have to wait a while. Not out till…early 2013.
Good luck at Oxford.
Thank you for the reply ! It’s lovely when famous people really care
I’m looking forward to your new book now! You have already have one sale confirmed. 