This Is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn

This Is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn follows sixteen-year-old Cordelia as she crafts an intimate book of writings for her unborn daughter. The narrative takes the form of a pillow book - a Japanese literary tradition of personal observations and collected writings. Throughout its 800 pages, the book chronicles Cordelia's experiences during her teenage years, including her relationships, poetry, and reflections on nature and life. Her special bond with her teacher Julie and her connection to a boy named Will form key elements of her story. The work draws inspiration from historical Japanese writers, particularly Sei Shonagon's pillow book and the poetry of Izumi Shikibu. It serves as the final installment in Aidan Chambers' six-part "Dance sequence" of novels. At its core, the book explores themes of self-discovery, creative expression, and the transition between adolescence and adulthood through the lens of a young woman preserving her experiences for future generations.

Readers describe this book as an intimate diary-style novel that requires commitment due to its 800+ page length. Many find the protagonist's detailed observations and philosophical musings compelling, particularly around sexuality, relationships, and coming-of-age experiences. Readers appreciated: - The authentic teenage voice and emotions - Complex exploration of first love - Literary references and intellectual depth - Unique structure combining poetry, lists, and prose Common criticisms: - Length feels excessive and self-indulgent - Some sections drag with unnecessary detail - Can be overly philosophical for YA fiction - Sexual content makes some readers uncomfortable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (40+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes: "Like reading someone's actual diary - sometimes fascinating, sometimes tedious." Another states: "The intellectual depth surprised me, but the length tested my patience."

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🔹 The ancient Japanese "pillow books" that inspired this novel were private journals kept by court ladies during the Heian period (794-1185), often stored in the drawers of their wooden pillows. 🔹 Aidan Chambers worked as a teacher before becoming a full-time writer, and his experience in education heavily influenced his ability to authentically capture teenage voices in his work. 🔹 The "Dance Sequence" novels are not traditionally connected, but rather linked thematically through their exploration of adolescent experiences and self-discovery. 🔹 Sei Shonagon, whose work influenced this novel, was a Japanese courtier who wrote one of the most famous pillow books in history around the year 1002 CE. 🔹 At 808 pages, "This Is All" is the longest young adult novel Chambers has written, and took him nearly eight years to complete.