Julia at the Drive-In by Rainbow Rowell
On the eve of her senior year, Julia has a look so new she doesn’t even recognize herself in the mirror. It’s the only reason she feels bold enough to talk to Wyatt, the boy she’s been staring at for three years. Tonight, at the drive-in, Wyatt finally stares back. Does he see Julia? Or some new and perfect stranger?
Rainbow Rowell’s Julia at the Drive-In is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.
Review: Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this short story, which is out on June 23rd.
In this short story, a shy high school girl has a transformative evening while at the drive-in.
This was such a tender young adult story. I adore Rainbow Rowell's writing and the way she can deftly create very individual characters. Despite its short length, this story is no different. Readers have a very clear sense of who Julia is and what she looks like - she is a shy, uncertain teenager figuring herself and the world out. Her friend has recently helped her makeover her hair and she wonders if the fact that she catches the eye of a guy she has always liked is due to this change or because he really sees her.
Of course, this is only a short story, so my chief complaint is I wish this was chapter one in a full-length book. But even in this short story, we see a teenager exploring first love and contemplating both her own self-perception and the way the world perceives her. I also liked how this book looks at friendship and how grateful Julia feels to have a friend she feels comfortable with and who always welcomes her along, no matter what. I also really liked the open and honest discussion Julia and Wyatt have. Despite - or maybe because - they don't know each other well, they quickly confess what they're going through with each other.
It was also fun that this was set at a drive-in movie theater. Do teenagers still go to those?
Stars: 4
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