Finding Grace

by Alyssa Brugman

Told by sassy 18-year-old Rachel, this is a suspenseful, compassionate, yet laugh-out-loud funny story about looking after a woman with brain damage - and about tasting love, finding grace and getting a life. Rachel has just left school and she knows everything. Well, maybe not quite everything. Then she meets the mysterious Mr. Preston, who gives her a live-in job looking after Grace - Grace with the lovely house, the grasping sisters, the feral neighbours and the spooky box full of unfinished business; Grace who never speaks. Who is Grace? How do the pieces of her world fit together? And what will it all mean for Rachel? Told from Rachel's gloriously eccentric perspective, this is an intriguing, compassionate, unexpectedly funny story about tasting love, finding grace and getting a life.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Australia, Teen, Disability, Friendship

204 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2001

About the author

Alyssa Brugman was born in Rathmines, Lake Macquarie, Australia in May 1974. She attended five public schools before completing a Marketing Degree at the University of Newcastle.

Alyssa has worked as an after-school tutor for Aboriginal children. She taught management, accounting and marketing at a business college, worked for a home improvements company and then worked in Public Relations before becoming a full-time writer.

Reviews

[Cory]

So, this morning I woke up and checked my GR feed. And, on a whim, I noticed that someone (Karen) had added this book to their to-reads list. Out of curiosity, I clicked through and read the blurb. It didn't amaze me, but I clicked on the preview anyway. Then I went to Amazon and purchased it. And I sat down and finished it in less than three hours.

This is an aussie book. It's contemporary. Only one aussie author has failed me and we all know who that is.

Anyway, this is a pretty awesome book. I guess I was expecting something kind of Sarah Dessen-ish. But this is better than anything Sarah Dessen's ever written. Okay, so I'm like the only person on the planet who thinks her debut, That Summer, is her best book. Yeah.

I'd say this reminds me of something a young Melina Marchetta would've written. I don't like any of her books except for her debut, Looking for Alibrandi. I'm weird, I'll admit that. This is better than Looking for Alibrandi. There's less melodrama, the romance is real, the love interest is Asian (Taiwanese), he's not a douche, and *le gasp* there's an actual plot outside the romance. Take it out and you still have a book.

I can relate to the narrator. I like the characters. While the mystery was kind of easy to figure out, it didn't make the book less enjoyable.

I'll stop rambling now. Just read the book. It's ten at night here and I can't write decent reviews when I'm tired. I'll let the book speak for itself.

Here's a quote:

No one can have their cake and eat it too.

We are not just having our cake, my love. We are sitting here in the candlelight, hiding here in the dark, digging our arms up to our elbows in luscious chocolate syrup and smearing jam and cream over our faces.

One day, one fine day, my delicious friend, someone is going to notice the crumbs on your chin. Someone is going to comment on the wildberry sauce on your shirtsleeve.

The difference we can make now is to choose, and to choose now to stop. Or, if not stop, then limit our appetite to the occasional brandy snap. Or if not stop, then …

Does the word “marriage” frighten you?

This is not just a wise choice but an essential one. Because those living on dry bread and tepid water will protest, loudly, if they find out what we are supping on here in the dark.

Go now, my delectable love, licking your fingers and wiping your mouth on the back of your wrist, and do not return, unless you plan to bring to me that shiny band of gold that would make our feasting so much less abhorrent to our associates.

ETA: The kindle cover sucks ass. It makes it look like a Bridget Jones rip-off. The paperback cover is a million times better.

[Reynje]

2001 called, it wants it's Melanie C reference back! No, seriously - this was lovely.

As the title implies, Finding Grace is a story about discovery. It’s a touching and funny glimpse into one young woman’s realisation that perhaps she doesn’t know as much about life as she thought she did.

Eighteen-year-old, slightly socially awkward Rachel has just finished high school when she accepts a job offer to become a live-in carer for Grace, a woman with a severe brain injury. Gradually, as Rachel begins to piece together Grace’s past, she comes to understand not only who Grace really is, but also herself.

I will be honest here – as a narrator, I found Rachel an acquired taste. Yes, she is funny. Yes, some of her insecurities were very relatable. However, her particular brand of eccentricity took me a little to warm up to. While I enjoyed her humorous asides, I didn’t initially like her all that much.

Add to this the fact that Rachel’s narrative is rather in the style of a stream of consciousness, and seemingly driven by a lot of nervous energy, the story can feel a little all over the place in times, leaping from topic to topic and past to present in a slightly jerky fashion. It feels very much in character, but it’s not the smoothest story to follow.

As mentioned above, though, she did make me laugh. Rachel’s internal monologue is self-deprecating, with a slight edge of snark and a very quirky brand of humour. Her observations about Grace’s feral neighbours and her invasive sisters are hilarious at times.

Here’s a taste of the writing:

”I have never been a big fan of the nightie. The main issue that I have yet to resolve is this: how do you get into bed without the nightie sliding up and bunching around the waist? I have tried countless methods, including pulling the bedclothes to one side and rolling onto the bed sideways, but the rolling action has a sort of wringing effect, so you end up uncomfortable longways instead of sideways. It is not possible, in my experience, to get into bed with the full-length nightie on without such strenuous exercise that it will leave you puffed and wide awake.”

While Grace’s story itself is not difficult to figure out early in the piece if you’re paying attention, the highlight of this book is watching Rachel uncover the truth about Grace and begin to change. She retains her unique personality, yet she matures and grows, and it’s heart warming to watch her begin to carve out the life she wants.

Rachel’s development of empathy and understanding is truly touching and beautifully handled. While the early scenes of Rachel’s interactions with Grace are somewhat uncomfortable to read (I was cringing on her behalf), as she comes to understand Grace and embrace her role as a carer, Rachel becomes a deeper character and her story is all the more affecting.

There are so many quiet little moments that make this a very moving story. Prickles, the cat. Mr Preston’s dedication to his friend. The snorkel. Bill and Herb. The glimpses of Grace in her writing. Rachel’s awkwardness and her slowly developing friendships. The witty, back and forth exchanges. Rachel’s mum rushing to be with her (I cried!).

I ended up rather loving this book. It’s a quiet, undemonstrative story that manages to be funny, warm and poignant. And Rachel totally won me over.

Bonus! A lesson in ‘Australian’ courtesy of Grace’s neighbour:

“…ya gotcherands full, mate”

“Eyemeaner.”

“She givingyardtimeyet?”

“… I don’t reckon yoolafta wait long, yoonowdameen?”

[Emily]

This is one of my overall favourite YA novels. I'm so proud of our Aussie authors - they just keep amazing me!

A few nights ago I was browsing my bookcase. I picked up All American Girl, filled with affection for my first Meg Cabot book. I loved, no – adored those books. I think that’s what inspired me to admire writers and have a go at writing myself. I’m talking about the books that I loved when I was a teenager. Books that made me laugh, books that made me cry... the books that made me feel like there were people out there who felt like I did. They were such a source of comfort to me. I fell in love with them. Books have been my best and constant friends over the years.

As I was perusing my bookshelves I picked up Finding Grace by Alyssa Brugman. I remembered how funny I found the book, delightfully quirky and so terribly, terribly sad. I flicked through the pages and found myself reading page after page. It was exactly how I remembered it so I decided to read it again from beginning to end.

I ended up reading all afternoon. It is such a lovely book that flows wonderfully from page to page. The beauty of this book is that every time I read it I feel as though I'm reading it for the first time. I was just as delighted with this book at 21 years old as I was at 15. It still gives me chills.

So, you can probably tell I like this book just a little bit and that I wouldn't hesitate to sweetly demand that you read this YA gem.

[Miranda]

I feel that my life has been enriched by this book.

[Judy]

An unexpected little book that I found when I was looking for young adult books featuring people who have experienced brain injury.

The narrator is quirky, awkward and her little thoughts and comments made me smile. Even though some of the content is heavy, how the narrator approached it made it light-hearted and hopeful.

A good start to the new year!

[Kristen]

This was such a pleasant surprise.
I kid you not, I read it in one sitting. I flew through it. A bunch of annotation tabs, some laugh out loud moments, and three crying sessions within a total of two hours makes this a special read.

It follows Rachel, an 18 year old who gets offered a job as a live-in carer for a young woman with a brain injury. This was refreshing and hilarious (I have a deep appreciation for the Aussie humour sprinkled throughout), yet deeply profound and heartbreaking at times. This will stick with me for a long time.

[Midget]

This book was very interesting it draws you in and doesn't let you go I highly recommend it

[Ruth]

Words cannot express how much this book stayed with me at the tender young age of 13…I knew it was incredibly moving, I knew the main character Rachel goes from knowing everything to knowing nothing and being ok with just living life, and I knew I loved it.

Years passed, I forgot the authors name, but the book stuck with me, and when I rediscovered it now in my 30s, I went from being moved to being emotionally wrecked by the end of the book. How could I have forgotten how much Grace’s life changed me??

For people who think big thoughts and have even bigger dreams 💔

[Jill]

The author portrays a young woman on the verge of adulthood who decides to work for a woman with a traumatic brain injury. The writing was both humorous and touching, as well as very realistic and relatable. I felt like I really knew this girl, and would like to be friends with her. I especially enjoyed how the author used the phrase "I know everything" throughout the book. It was a sort of tongue-in-cheek response to youthfulness, and you could see the girl grow via the way this statement changed. A great transition book for those graduating from high school.

[KC]

A gem hidden in the YA section. I ransacked the library shelves looking for just one decent YA novel that I hadn't read, and I certainly found one. My only confusions comes from the fact that I know very little about Australian college, and it seemed like Rachel didn't have to go to class much. Great story.

[Debi]

Oh how I adored this book! I loved the main character, an Australian teenaged girl who is convinced she knows everything, as we all did when we were 18. I loved feeling as if, uncomfortable as it may be, I was walking around in her skin. I wish I hadn't read it because I would love to get to re-experience the book for the first time.

[Brenda]

Great characters, very real. I loved how Rachel goes from not very interested in Grace, to finding out more and more about her. She learns to not be so self absorbed, as we tend to be at that age! Recommended!

[Elizabeth]

This book is amazing. Perhaps because it's about something I am particularly interested in (caring for mentally disabled--in this case brain damaged), but I found Finding Grace fascinating, realistic, and uplifting.

[Mallory Rowley]

I think that this book was a very good book. I would recommend other students to read it this book. A teenage girl who just started college is helping an elderly lady. She helps the lady regain her memory after a car accident.

[K]

An solid and thoughtful Australian YA.

[Cynthia Lowell]

I liked the story. Would like to know more about what happens to Grace and her care giver Rachael. I liked the "Spooky Box" . everyone has one.

[Dale]

Published in 2001 by Delacorte Press.

Synopsis:

Rachel lives in Australia and is a brand new graduate of high school. She is ready to head off to college but she needs a job and a place to live that is close to the university.

She finds both when the enigmatic Mr. Preston offers her a place to live just a few blocks from campus in exchange for watching over a woman named Grace.

Rachel knows that Grace was brain damaged in some sort of accident, but not much more than that. Grace can walk and feed herself - but that's about all she can do. She cannot talk, she cannot bathe herself, she cannot communicate in any way.

Rachel spends the night with Grace, feeds Grace and watches over her much like a nanny watches a small child. She gets time off for classes, when the nurses come for physical therapy, and when Mr. Preston comes over to spend time with Grace.

My Review:

I expected nothing from this book. Several year ago, I picked it up from a pile of books that were being shipped out of my school building because they weren't part of the curriculum any longer. The book sat in my to-be-read while for so long that I thought (because of the title) I was picking up one of the religious titles I had bought a couple of years ago.

This wasn't the book that I was expecting, but it was a good book. Not much goes on, but it is a good coming of age book about transitions, love, rivalry, and dedication.

I rate this book 4 start out of 5.

https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2023...

[Julie Morales]

I really struggled with this book, and thus the lower rating. It took me almost the whole thing to really get into it. It's a beautiful story, but it just didn't captivate me as I believe it could have. I'm glad I stuck with it though.
Rachel is 18 and a self-professed nerd. She thinks she's got most of life all figured out, until she takes a job caring for a brain-injured woman named Grace. The best part of this book, for me, was watching Rachel grow up through the book. Her experiences with Grace teach her more about life than anything else could have, and by the end, she realizes she knows, in fact, next to nothing, not quite a bit, as she originally thought. Rachel sets out on a quest to find out more about the woman she's caring for and learns more about herself in the process.

[Danielle]

This is a book about a self-interested teenager who learns that people with disabilities are also people. Once she takes a brain-damaged woman into her care, after learning that she should treat her like a person and not a child, she snoops through the woman's stuff to learn about her life.

There's also some underlying racism towards the Asian love interest - I absolutely hated how she misheard his name and continued to call him her his presumed "ethnic" name. The protagonist admits that she is extremely white and this story is very bare minimum in terms of themes.

Would not recommend! I mostly read it to get it off my shelf.

[Plum-crazy]

Well I have to admit I didn't think a book about teenager looking after a brain damaged woman would be my cup-of-tea but how delightfully surprised I was to be so utterly & completely wrong!

I really couldn't put it down & devoured it over a day. I can honestly say I ran the whole gamut of emotions during this tale - I smiled, I laughed, I fumed (*warning* cat lovers - your blood will boil!)& at the end I had tears in my eyes - loved it every minute of it :o) A great little book indeed.

[Lisa Nocita]

I found this slim novel to be somewhat akin to the adult novel Me Before You by JoJo Moyes in that a young woman cares for a disabled woman and learns a lot about herself and life in the process. It's rather sweet and endearing, not action-y. I suspect that it might move a bit slowly for middle school readers. However, it's a great read for the empaths and slightly quirky nerds who aren't sure of their footing just yet.

[Aartjan ter Haar]

Vriendelijk verhaal voor jongvolwassenen over Rachel die Julia, een vrouw met niet-aangeboren hersenletsel (NAH) verzorgt. Veel komt goed, zelfs Julia gaat kleine stapjes vooruit.
De flaptekst van de Nederlandse versie is wat verwarrend omdat men daar over "een geestelijk gehandicapte vrouw" spreekt. De definitie voor verstandelijke beperking (huidige terminologie) stelt dat de beperking is ontstaan voor de geboorte of in de vroege jeugd.

[Glenn Armstrong]

Finding Grace was a surprising little gem for me. I can't remember how the book finished up in my bookshelf but I decided to read it today just to move it on to someone else. I loved it. The story of Grace was heartbreaking but she was a secondary character. The Protagonist was Rachel, a character I adored. I laughed out loud several times at her "quirkiness" and loved her personal growth from the start of the book to the end. Definitely recommend.

[Annette Heslin]

Wow, what a story this was.

Eighteen-year-old Rachel has taken a job as live-in carer for Grace and also studies at Uni.

Never having much responsibility this was certainly an interesting and challenging role for Rachel, who ends up enjoying her work more than she realizes.

Grace has a brain injury and is unable to talk or communicate. But Rachel is up to the challenges with Grace, although not easy at times she overcomes her fears and sees life in a new perspective.

[Christine]

Quirky Rachel spent her life hiding her blushes and trying to be a sparrow among Rosellas. When a rich school supporter offers her a generously compensated live-in career job with a woman who suffered traumatic brain damage, she says yes. How hard can it be to help one person after cleaning single mums household? But who really is Grace, her her new protégée, and more importantly, who was she?

[MJ]

This is a sweet book about a 18 year old mostly solitary, intelligent, blushing, nerd sort of person who's pretty sure she mostly knows how the world and the people in it work. With no special caring skills she's hired to care for a brain-damaged woman. She learns a lot.

[Emily]

A story out of Australia which had some references to that culture. I did chuckle a few times and that is why I finished it. Ending was terrible and the protagonist lacked development. Some twists and turns but on the whole not great.

[Brianna Brown]

This was such a beautifully written book about a friendship that blossoms out of the blue. Made me laugh and really made me think about life!

[Catherine]

This is third or fourth time I've read Finding Grace, and it's just as good as very first time. A delightful story all round. Highly recommended to all.

[Maria Hrickova]

2,6