Friday, May 18, 2012

REVIEW: Welcome Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Corriell

I wasn't quite sure what to make of Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Corriell when I first started reading.  I was initially drawn to the striking cover and I really liked the idea of school radio show, but at first I did think that the main character Chloe would be a bit too out there for me. 

The story starts off with Chloe dressed up as a burrito trying to drum up business for the Mexican restaurant she works for.  Chloe is very bubbly and full of life, with an interest in vintage shoes and more than slightly kooky.  But things begin to change for Chloe when her two best friends in the world turn on her and she is left friendless and alone. 

I really felt bad for Chloe, being in this situation, though I'll admit something about Chloe's friendships with her previous best friends didn't quite come across as believeable for me.  I do love that Chloe stays mostly positive throughout and just carries on the best as she can.  Even when her main project for the year is changed and instead she is forced to work for the failing school radio with a bunch of misfits. 

The radio aspect of the book is my favourite part.  I think perhaps I always secretly wanted to be on the radio and I think it all sounded like a bunch of fun.  And once Chloe realises she can be a bit self-centred and tries to be more open to other people and their stories, I thought the book really picked up.  Plus, there is some truly happy-making scenes in which Chloe uses Mexican food metaphors to apply marketing and business techniques which had me cracking up. 

With a sweet relationship with an ageing grandma and the budding of romance between Chloe and one of the new radio crowd, I found Welcome Caller This Is Chloe to be a quick and enjoyable read which touched on some great themes of identity, friendship and finding a place to belong.

6 comments:

  1. Great review, I really enjoyed this one too.

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  2. This one sounds like a fun read with some great themes - fsb review :)

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  3. great review! I loved this book, thought it was so refreshing and enjoyable, I was rooting for Chloe the whole way through

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