Hating Alison Ashley

Erica Yurken (or ‘Erk,’ ‘Yuk’ or ‘Gherkin’) is a compulsive liar and doesn’t have any close friends. She’s destined for great things, destined to become a world renowned actress, a flower among weeds. Or that’s what she’d tell you if asked.

When the beautiful, wealthy and smart Alison Ashley arrives at Baringa East Primary school due to a new zoning restriction, Erica is consumed with jealousy and the desire to be Alison’s best friend. Alison’s nails are manicured and perfect, her lunch is always healthy and neatly packed and, to add insult to injury, she’s a fantastic actress. She’s everything Erica wants to be. But, as Erica learns, everyone has their own grievances and things to be thankful for.

Although Erica is narcissistic and often unbearable, Robin Klein gives character to the narration (told in first person), showing moments of insecurity and feelings of inferiority. Erica is embarrassed by her family and frequently lies to Alison, including pretending her big sister Valjoy’s room is hers, and claiming her absentee father died in a heroic plane crash.

The most enjoyable part of Hating Alison Ashley (1984) are the characters. Erica’s family is bursting with big personalities: from her little sister Jedda who thinks she’s a horse and sleeps in a self-constructed stall, to her slacker brother Harley who reads about astral projection and spends most of his time in a hammock. However the funniest situations come courtesy of resident hooligan Barry Hollis.

Hating Alison Ashley is a best-seller and has been made into both a stage play and a movie. It’s a funny and enjoyable young adult novel, an easy read suitable for a wide age range. I myself have been attached to it ever since my grade five teacher read it to the class years back in 2000. The novel includes events and characters most school age kids (and even people who’ve long since graduated) would be able to relate to and reminisce about: such as school camps, class clowns and the sometimes difficult process of making friends.