Completely Normal (and Other Lies)

By Biffy James

Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd

Elizabeth ‘Biffy’ James holds a Masters in Creative Writing from RMIT and has worked as a boarding house mother and high school teacher. Completely Normal (and Other Lies), her debut novel, was written during lockdown in 2020 so that James could enter Hardie Grant’s Ampersand Prize. The manuscript, which was written in six weeks, didn’t win but went on to be published by Hardie Grant nonetheless.

The story opens with the death of popular Year 12 student Isaac Calder being announced at a school assembly. Prickly main character Stella is a Year 11 student who had fallen in love with Isaac after circumstances brought them together outside of school – a secret romance that plays out in the first part of the novel. Shortly before his fatal car accident, Isaac had promised he would break up with his universally beloved girlfriend, Grace, to be with Stella. But as this didn’t happen, Stella must maintain the ruse that she barely knew Isaac, keeping her grief hidden from everyone – especially the kind classmate she finds herself accidentally becoming close to: Isaac’s girlfriend, Grace. Of course, secrets don’t always remain secret…

This #LoveOzYA story is a standout example of a highly readable, realistic and relatable modern teen voice. Stella is at times apathetic, self-centred, or filled with rage – but never annoying, bland or trite. Alongside key themes of love, grief, secrecy and friendship, the story also touches on topical issues such as imperfect families, fake friends, mental health, revenge pornography, online bullying and body-shaming. Impressively, in spite of its grim premise, the book contains plenty of humour thanks to Stella’s unapologetically wry first- person narration, and its hopeful, heartwarming ending speaks to the healing power of ‘finding your people’.

Completely Normal (and Other Lies) will appeal to teen readers who enjoy dramatic and meaty contemporary realistic fiction featuring ordinary teens in extraordinary situations. It’s the perfect book to hand a fan of One of Us is Lying. I’m looking forward to reading whatever this talented Australian author writes next!

Hardie Grant 2022

Biffy James

Annaleise Byrd is the author of middle grade portal fantasies Losing the Plot and Down the Plot Hole, and the picture book You Are Not a Pup!