Description

Book Synopsis
Vanessa Partridge, cello-playing good girl, spends every summer holiday at Shearwater. This year, her brother is bringing his best mate, Darith - the object of many, many fantasies Van will never say aloud.

Or will she? This summer feels different...and so does Van.

But her first taste of independence comes with a bitter tang of regret, and when her sense of self is shattered, Van wrestles with ideas of consent and desire, and what it means to want and be wanted.

Can someone with sensible plaits and a soft spot for Plato also have secret, lustful fantasies? And if she does, is there anything wrong with that?

The Learning Curves of Vanessa Partridge is a heartbreaking and joyful coming-of-age novel about sex, love, family and finding your voice.

'A wonderfully original voice and an irresistible protagonist who captures the complex, hilarious and messy inner life of girls. Witty, funny and heartbreaking - I wished I could lean into the pages and give Vanessa a hug.' - Melissa Keil

The Learning Curves of Vanessa Partridge

    Product form

    £15.29

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 6 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Clare Strahan

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Learning Curves of Vanessa Partridge by Clare Strahan

      Publisher: Allen & Unwin
      Publication Date: 24/04/2018
      ISBN13: 9781760296797, 978-1760296797
      ISBN10: 1760296791

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Vanessa Partridge, cello-playing good girl, spends every summer holiday at Shearwater. This year, her brother is bringing his best mate, Darith - the object of many, many fantasies Van will never say aloud.

      Or will she? This summer feels different...and so does Van.

      But her first taste of independence comes with a bitter tang of regret, and when her sense of self is shattered, Van wrestles with ideas of consent and desire, and what it means to want and be wanted.

      Can someone with sensible plaits and a soft spot for Plato also have secret, lustful fantasies? And if she does, is there anything wrong with that?

      The Learning Curves of Vanessa Partridge is a heartbreaking and joyful coming-of-age novel about sex, love, family and finding your voice.

      'A wonderfully original voice and an irresistible protagonist who captures the complex, hilarious and messy inner life of girls. Witty, funny and heartbreaking - I wished I could lean into the pages and give Vanessa a hug.' - Melissa Keil

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account