Amelia Westlake
Erin Gough

Amelia Westlake
Erin Gough
Winner of the Readings Young Adult Book Prize 2018
From Ampersand Prize-winning author Erin Gough comes this ferociously funny romp through an elite private school, and a brilliant feminist hoax that could change - or ruin - everything.
Review
by Mike Shuttleworth
Amelia Westlake is a screwball comedy with a strong political edge set in a posh Australian private girls’ school. The arrival of Will (Wilhelmina) Everhart to Rosemead Grammar brings a fresh set of eyes to the school’s stuffy traditions. These traditions include tolerating a male sports master’s ogling of the girls in his charge and a serene sense of wealthy entitlement. These are not things Will can turn a blind eye to.
When Will and her mismatched friend Harriet create a cartoon depicting the unpleasant sports master Coach Hadley, they also create a problem – how to publish it in the school newspaper without being immediately expelled? Enter, Amelia Westlake.
Author Erin Gough’s second novel arrives bang on time for the #MeToo movement. Her feisty characters respond to the threats of sexism, homophobia and the wealth divide with a heady mix of art, anarchy and anger. Both Will and Harriet are, more or less, openly gay and in that sense Amelia Westlake picks up some of the themes of Gough’s popular debut, The Flywheel. The tone of this novel shifts midway through towards something more overtly political but retains its romantic strand. And keeping Amelia’s identity secret leads to all manner of hijinks, secret relationships and scandal. In the end, it is the friendships and the love between the characters that gets them through. The whole confection culminates in the rockingest school formal you could ever wish to attend, and is topped off with a scene slyly borrowed from Spartacus. Yay for Amelia Westlake, whoever you are!
Fans of David Levithan and Rachel Cohn’s novels will recognise and welcome this book. So will anyone looking for a funny, edgy read.
Mike Shuttleworth is a children’s and YA specialist at Readings Hawthorn.
This item is in-stock and will ship in 2-3 business days
We are currently experiencing delays in processing and delivering online orders. Click here for more information.
Please note, our stock data is updated overnight, and availability may change throughout the day. Prices are subject to change without notice.Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.

None Shall Sleep
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Grown
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

The Great Godden
$15.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Loner
$24.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

The End of the World Is Bigger than Love
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Ghost Bird
$19.95Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Clap When You Land
$19.95Buy now
Finding stock availability...

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
$24.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

The Miseducation of Cameron Post
$17.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me
$29.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Goodwood
$14.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Clean
$17.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Meat Market
$17.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Tales Of The City (Tales of the City, Book 1)
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

When You Are Engulfed In Flames
$22.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Paperback Crush: The Totally Radical History of ‘80s and '90s Teen Fiction
$39.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Amelia Westlake
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Clean
$17.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Go Ask Alice
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Stone Girl
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

The Outsiders
$16.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Far From the Tree
$17.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...

Friday Brown
$19.99Buy now
Finding stock availability...