The novel, Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta, focuses on a 17 year old teenager who has an Italian background called Josephine Alibrandi. Josephine is really two different people at the beginning and the end of the book. In the beginning, Josephine is overdramatic, poised to react to her Italian background and her illegitimacy. At the end of the book, Josephine began to achieve emancipation. She has learnt that she has blown her problems out of proportion, that not everyone is about to execute her for being Italian and illegitimate. Josephine's interaction with the other characters has brought this about. She faced quite a number of challenges in her final year. They include the arrival of Michael Andretti and her change of perspective and attitude towards Nonna Katia.
In the beginning of the novel, Josephine's attitude towards Nonna was very atrocious. Despite the fact that she disliked Nonna, she still has to come to her house every afternoon after school.
Marco Andretti (left #26) and his father Michael A...
Andretti Autosport (then Andretti Green Racing) ow...
Michael Andretti at MontereyOne of the reasons that she disliked coming to Nonna's house was that she despised the idea of being force-fed every afternoon of her life (Quote: "I was force-fed when I arrived. Force-fed like every afternoon of my life" page 34). Josie found Nonna very irritating. Every afternoon Nonna kept mentioning about how untidy Josie is and just to return back the favor Josie would say "It's the fashion" (page 34) just because that annoyed Nonna so much.
However, as time past, Josie found Nonna's secret. That is the relationship that Nonna had with Marcus Sandford went further than Josie had been told. Although Josie was suspicious and asked Nonna whether she was in love in with him, Nonna wouldn't acknowledge it (Quote: "Were you in love with him?" Josie asked. "Don't be silly, Jozzie. I was married." page...