So Much to Tell You

infobox Book |
name = So Much to Tell You
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = 1995 Fawcett Books cover
author = John Marsden
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = Australia
language = English
series =
genre = Young adult novel
publisher = Joy Street Books (1987)
pub_date = 1987
english_pub_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 160 pp (paperback)
isbn = ISBN 978-1844289462
preceded_by =
followed_by =

The 1987 fiction novel "So Much To Tell You" is John Marsden's debut book. It was instantly successful in Australia and US, and has since been translated into nine languages and awarded many highly acclaimed literacy awards including the Christopher Medal and the Victorian Premier's Award, and was declared the Best Book of the Year by the Children's Book Council. According to the author, it will act as an inspiration to other teens who have had problems with regaining the ability to talk.

"So Much to Tell You" is based on a true story, and is presented as a diary that a 14 year old girl,Marina, writes. Marina has a scarred face due to acid that was thrown by her father. She refused to talk to anyone when she was at hospital to recover, so she was sent to Warrington Boarding School for a chance to communicate again. But even then, her silence goes on. Her English teacher Mr. Lindell gives her class journals to write in. Despite the unwillingness to write in the journal, Marina still records some trivial dialy events in her school down. She eventually starts to write beyond just trivia and the readers are able to see Marina's world, and how her friends, teachers and families influence her. Marina goes from not interacting at all, to opening up and socializing, as well as communicating. As the book goes on, Marina's uncertain feelings towards her father fade away. In the end of the book she goes to see him, and speaks the only words she says in the entire book: "Hello, Dad," and "I've got so much to tell you..."

Main Characters

tudents of Warrington

Marina: Marina is the book's main character and narrator. Initially, she is heavily introverted and avoids contact with her fellow students. Also she has anorixia of speech.

Cathy Preshill: The closest thing Marina has to a friend for most of the book. She invites Marina over for the holidays. She is tall and thin.

Sophie Smith: One of the most dominant girls in the dorm, Sophie is loud and bubbly. One time Marina sees Sophie saying to herself "I hate you, you off moll, you bitch." and then running away crying when she sees Marina there.

Ann Martin: Described by Marina as very nice and pretty. She had a clay eagle that Marina broke by accident.

Kate Mandeville: Kate is the loudest girl in the dorm, but has a side to her that no one but Marina knows. She always talks about sex and boys.

Lisa Morris: Lisa is tall with blonde hair. She is strong and quiet but still popular. She seems like nothing can hurt her. Marina sees her crying violently on her bed when no one else is around, but doesn't find out why.

Tracey (last name not provided): After Marina, Tracey is the most unpopular girl in the dorm, and is often more malicious to her than the others. Described as quite big and plain.

Emma (last name not provided): Emma is from Hong Kong. She has red hair and braces and always seems quite cheerful.

taff of Warrington

Mr. Lindell: Marina's English teacher. He invites Marina to stay at his place several times.

Marina's Parents

Marina's mother (name not provided): Marina's mother comes across as unsympathetic and impatient for Marina to regain her ability to speak. She also come across as a selfish women who only cares about herself.

Marina's father (name not provided): Marina's father is like "an atomic bomb", because he is always in her mind.

o Much to Tell You:The Play

A play based on this book was written by the same author, John Marsden, in 1992. According to the author, he has always wanted to put So much to Tell you on the stage.

Origins of story

The book is partially based on a true story. Marina's character is based on a fourteen year old girl and a woman named Kay Nesbitt, whose face was damaged by a shotgun blast. In addition, the dedication in the beginning of the book identifies a certain John Mazur as the English teacher, Mr. Lindell, who gives Marina her diary assignment and is one of the people she places the most trust in.

"Take My Word For It"

A half-sequel with this title was written in 1992, from the point of view of Lisa Morris. It tells Lisa's story over the same period of time, as well as her observation of Marina, but then expands on this and shows Marina after her visit with her father. The second point of view aids the reader by answering some questions from the first, for example, the cause of Marina's nervous breakdown in early April, and the reason for Lisa's crying earlier.

References

* [http://www.johnmarsden.com.au John Marsden's homepage]