Looking for Alibrandi is a coming-of-age novel written by Melina Marchetta, which follows the life of Josephine Alibrandi, a seventeen-year-old Australian-Italian girl. The novel explores various themes such as family, identity, and culture.
Josephine Alibrandi is the protagonist of the novel. She is a smart and rebellious teenager who struggles with her identity as an Australian-Italian. She is frustrated with her traditional Italian family and their expectations of her. Josephine is also trying to figure out her relationship with her absentee father, who she has never met before. As the novel progresses, Josephine learns to embrace her heritage and becomes more comfortable with who she is.
John Barton is a rich, white Australian who becomes romantically involved with Josephine. He is kind and intelligent, but also has his own set of problems and secrets. John helps Josephine to understand and appreciate her own culture, and their relationship helps her to grow and mature.
Katia Alibrandi is Josephine's mother, who is a single parent and works hard to provide for her family. She is strict with Josephine and expects her to follow traditional Italian values, but also loves her daughter deeply and wants the best for her.
Michael Andretti is Josephine's father, who is estranged from the family. He is a successful lawyer, but also has a troubled past and is struggling to come to terms with his own identity. As he and Josephine get to know each other, they form a bond and start to understand each other better.
Nonna Katia is Josephine's grandmother, who is a strong and feisty woman with traditional Italian values. She is very critical of Josephine and often clashes with her, but ultimately wants the best for her granddaughter.
There are several other supporting characters in the novel, such as Jacob Coote, who is Josephine's friend and crush, and Carly Bishop, who is a rebellious and troubled classmate. Each character adds depth and complexity to the story, and their relationships with Josephine help her to grow and learn about herself and the world around her.
Overall, the characters in Looking for Alibrandi are well-developed and relatable, and their stories and struggles help to explore the themes of family, identity, and culture in a poignant and engaging way.
