Simply Complicated

Shlomtzi is already 17, and that’s no simple matter, it’s actually complicated—by her parents who’ve gotten divorced, by her friends who are too busy with themselves, by school and final exams. And when it comes to love, it’s even more complicated, because Shlomtzi wonders if she should love her boyfriend, her unknown admirer, or her creative writing teacher who’s much older than her. Shlomtzi is learning how to write stories, but she understands that sometimes the story writes itself and surprises everyone, especially herself. She’s spellbound by words, books and poems; she also goes through a stormy love and great disasters. She tells her diary about all these things with complete openness, in the lightest of language and with lots of humor. Through writing, Shlomtzi discovers that growing up is a complicated business, and that life isn’t simple. But in the end, she’ll toughen up, understand some important things about herself and the world, and set out on a new road. A story she writes will appear in the newspaper, and a new love will light a flame in her heart. Simply Complicated is a brave coming-of-age novel that introduces us to a wise, endearing heroine in a way that is complex, but also amusing and touching.