Someday My Prince Will Come* - Book Review

With the first few chapters of Fine’s memoirs relating to her somewhat traumatic childhood (whereby she endures parental nakedness, back garden tepees and inedible quinoa) it is safe to say that a strong rapport is built between reader and protagonist at an early stage. Regardless whether you empathise or sympathise, or perhaps a bit of each, Fine recreates a comical representation of her childhood and teenage experiences that  on more than one occasion create positively toe-curling-face-reddening moments that begs the question; how  can one teenager have endured such a plethora of humiliation and embarrassment in one lifetime?

These extraordinary why-is-this-happening-to-me occurrences do not cease in the realm of the teenager though, rest assured. Throughout the entire book, Fine has managed to hand-pick some of the most cringe-worthy tales of her life and put them to print, causing many a public outburst of laughter and open-mouthed disbelief.

Nevertheless, this book is not all about Fine’s inability to hold down a man, or ability to rack up an impressive tally of most-kissed British countryside rugby players in one evening though: instead it shares an underlying beautiful concept of self-belief and the importance of following your dream, irrespective of the obstacles you may encounter. Granted, this may be a message portrayed throughout the world of literature, however Fine emanates this effortlessly whilst maintaining a resilient yet endearing lead protagonist and a modern plot equipped with traditional values. It is her repeated heartbreak and insecurities that tug at the heartstrings, but her raw spirit and fierce determination in the face of hopelessness turns this unconventional love story into an uplifting, fortitudinous journey of self-discovery.

This collection of memoirs reinstalls the childhood fantasy that dreams can come true: Fine’s portrayal of this fairy-tale notion of following one’s dreams merges with reality, allowing her memoirs to resonate in an unorthodox yet heart-warming way.