Every woman should have this book on their to-do list.
Meet Celia Stone, the ultimate hyper-organised, journal-obsessed thirty-something with a life that is perfectly planned out and running like clockwork. From her promising writing career to her devoted partner and rigorous fitness routine, Celia has it all – and she’s right on track with her early retirement plan.
But when her husband suggests it’s time to start a family, Celia begins to question whether a new addition might just throw off course everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.
Follow Celia’s diary entries on a year-long journey of self-discovery as she navigates the ups and downs of trying to have it all.
Emma Young is a Western Australian author with a background in bookselling and journalism. The Disorganisation of Celia Stone follows on from her debut novel, The Last Bookshop. A frank author’s note makes it clear that many of Celia’s fictionalised experiences are drawn from Young’s own. The result is a refreshingly authentic narrative, speaking a truth that is often glossed over in the ‘have it all’ (read: ‘do it all’) messaging that today’s women are bombarded with.
Celia is a wonderfully – and at times excruciatingly – relatable protagonist. At first, I found myself resisting how strongly I could identify with some of her traits: her lack of flexibility, her need for control, and her belief that if she could just try that little bit harder, she might finally be ‘enough’. But Celia’s journey is ultimately one of hope and rebirth. By the time I got to the end, my identification with her was a gift.
Structurally, this novel is one of the most inventive and unusual I’ve picked up in a while – it really does feel like stepping into Celia’s diary! Rich with insights into the real-world self-development resources that Celia draws from, it reads almost as part fiction, part reference book. What’s so beautiful about this format is that it allows readers to grow and learn alongside Celia. I have no doubt that Celia’s journey will spark many parallel, real-world journeys of self-discovery!
Young covers big topics: loss and grief, eating disorders, depression and anxiety, and making life-altering decisions, like whether or not to have children. But she handles these themes with care, precision and honesty, and the result is a poignant, real and relatable read that never becomes heavy or grim.
As this is an unfiltered look into Celia’s diary, we do get explicit descriptions of exercise regimes, calorie counts, and purging behaviours, so some readers might choose to approach with caution.
The Disorganisation of Celia Stone is an important reminder of what really matters most in life, packaged in an inventive, thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting narrative. If you’ve ever let a messed up filing system or a missed day at the gym throw off your entire day – this is mandatory reading!
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