Again Again
AuthorE. Lockhart
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult fiction
Published2020
PublisherDelacorte Press
Publication date
June 2, 2020
Media typePrint (Hardcover, Paperback), Audiobook
Pages289
ISBN9780385744799 Hardcover

Again Again is a young adult novel by E. Lockhart, published June 2, 2020 by Delacorte Press.

Again Again takes place in the same setting as Lockhart's The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, Alabaster Preparatory Academy, though Again Again has a different protagonist, Adelaide Buchwald. The book follows Adelaide through a multiverse of opportunities over the summer between her junior and senior year of high school as she connects with a boy who once wrote a poem about her; the novel investigates the different ways their relationship might play out."[1]

Writing style

Again Again includes multiple possible storylines that provide "alternate details of the relationship" and "unfold ... much like a choose-your-own-ending story, except 'you' don't get to choose--Lockhart does."[2] Throughout the novel, Lockhart uses different fonts to indicate when a new, parallel experience begins. One font follows the central story so readers "can follow one central narrative through the whole book."[3] Another font exists for "every alternate universe," as well as a third font for another universe at the end of the story.[3] Lockhart explained this choice saying, "I think if you were disoriented at the beginning, that's okay with me. Some people will be disoriented, but it was the best way."[3]

Lockhart explained that she wanted to "tell a story that was really honest, but also not cynical about love."[3] The solution for her was to write a story with "multiple universes."[3]

Reception

Again Again was generally well-received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist,[4] The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,[5] School Library Journal.[6] School Library Journal said the book was "[a] lyrical read that's also fun as it addresses myriad truths."[6]

Kirkus Reviews called the book "[a] thoughtfully subversive exploration of the diverging pathways of the human heart."[7]

Publishers Weekly highlighted Lockhart's skill with plot twists, stating that Again Again takes the technique to a "new level, with a narrative that explores the idea of the multiverse, those infinite worlds loosed by paths taken and not taken."[8]

Shelf Awareness commented on the book's "unusual" style, explaining how "alternate details of the relationship ... unfold along parallel routes, much like a choose-your-own-ending story, except 'you' don't get to choose--Lockhart does."[2] They continued, stating, "In spite of the unusual timeline, Lockhart keeps the action moving. Scenes are short and just repetitive enough that readers know it's a re-do, but different enough that it's clear this is a synchronous event."[2]

TV adaptation

In July 2022, Lockhart announced that Again Again will be adapted for television after screen rights were acquired by Julie Plec's My So-Called Company and Universal Television.[9] Lockhart and Carina Adly MacKenzie, wrote the script for Roswell, New Mexico, will co-write the adaptation.[1] MacKenzie will also serve as the show's showrunner and executive producer alongside Plec and Emily Cummins.[9]

Lockhart called MacKenzie "a story queen and a brainiac who is very funny and mind-blowingly thoughtful," saying she "can't wait to go on this adventure with her."[9]

References

  1. 1 2 Schaub, Michael (2022-07-21). "Three Books by E. Lockhart Will Be Adapted for TV". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  2. 1 2 3 Coulter, Emilie (2020-06-02). "Again Again". Shelf Awareness. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 NewberyTart (2020-06-02). "E. Lockhart on Writing a Realistic, Uncynical Love Story". Literary Hub. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  4. ↑ Hutley, Krista (2020-03-15). "Again Again". Booklist. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  5. ↑ Stevenson, Deborah (2020). "Again Again by E. Lockhart". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 73 (10): 436–436. doi:10.1353/bcc.2020.0422. ISSN 1558-6766.
  6. 1 2 Hilbun, Janet (2020-04-01). "Again Again". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  7. ↑ "Again Again". Kirkus Reviews. 2020-03-29. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  8. ↑ "Again Again by E. Lockhart". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  9. 1 2 3 Rice, Lynette (2022-07-20). "Julie Plec & Universal TV Option YA Books 'We Were Liars,' 'Family of Liars' & 'Again Again' By E. Lockhart". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
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