The inclusion in the book of Olly, a male character who also has a mental health problem, shows that the illness has no gender. Unfortunately, this gendering can often be problematic with certain conditions such as autism being stereotypically associated with men, leading to many undiagnosed women. Evie herself links mental health and gender together stating, “Being a woman, in this world, ultimately makes you crazy.” Having a female writer and a female dominated story is vital, as mental health can often be gendered, with women being seen as ‘hysterical’, ‘crazy’ or ‘emotional’.

As members of the club they regularly meet to discuss topics important to themselves, such as the portrayal of women in films, misogynistic language and body image. Bourne makes Evie a relatable character to many teenage girls, with her interest in boys and relationships, her excitement about going on a first date and going to parties with her friends.įeminism is a key part of the story with a real sense of sisterhood between Evie, Amber and Lottie, collectively known as the Spinster Club. The story follows sixteen year old Evie’s transition to college following her long term illness and how she copes with settling in and making new friends while undergoing therapy for O.C.D. Books are a way of sharing experiences and an easy way to start a conversation. While many may consider mental health a difficult topic to speak about, let alone publish a novel on, this is what makes it so necessary. The title Am I Normal Yet? Is direct and relatable to young people, regardless of their situation. This combined with themes of female friendship and feminism makes for an informative but engaging read.ĭespite mental health being a problem for many teenagers, it appears few books tackle this subject. What makes this book different and so important is its focus on mental health, in particular, obsessive compulsive disorder. Primarily aimed at teenagers, this book covers all the usual topics we would associate with a young adult novel: alcohol, sex and relationships, to name but a few. ‘Am I Normal Yet?’ by Holly Bourne, Usborne Publishing, 2015

Am i normal yet