The Opposite of Invisible

Reposted from my book blog http://www.book-spark.blogspot.com/

Review: Liz Gallagher’s debut novel, The Opposite of Invisible, is a captivating story of teenage love and friendship. Alice, who is the perfect example of a teenager trying to find her identity, is satisfied to spend all her time with her best friend, Jewel, until her crush, the popular Simon, starts to notice her. Jewel also wants to be more than friends. Alice suddenly goes from being invisible to being the talk of the school. Even though the plotline is familiar, the characters are very well portrayed. I felt as though I had known Alice for so long, she was so endearing; Jewel, Simon and Mandy are also very real characters. The first person, present tense tone is easy-to-read and unique. My only regret was that the book is so short; I wanted to read a little longer about Alice’s life.

Sensitive Themes: Having sex as teenager, Next to no profanity

Originally posted on my blog: http://book-spark.blogspot.com/

Reader reviewed by abscae

This inspiring novel begins with the readers meeting Alice, as she consults her "Dove Girl," better known as Le Visage de la Paix. The face of peace. And that is what Alice yearns for, a sense of peace and to fit in. In the beginning, she wants a special boy that she connects with. She soon gets that with Simon yet she starts noticing the differences between wanting someone and loving them. As Alice's art comes to life, she finds what it truly means to be the opposite of invisible. In the end, "the opposite of invisible" does not mean being popular or being pretty in the eyes of others. It means to be seen and heard as being beautiful in the eyes of yourself.

I remember, in the beginning of the novel, when she constantly stated of her invisible state, I turned to the cover. I wished that I could see that cover in reality, to run my fingers over the minuscule bumps of the medium and I wished so strongly to tell her how beautiful she was. Inside and out.

Alice, oh boy, Alice is something else, I tell you. She will make you laugh at her energy and cry at her mistakes and misfortunes. She will make you fall in love with her passion and yearn for her discoveries and experiences. But mostly she will inspire you so fiercely to discover yourself, you might as well call her your own Dove Girl. She transforms herself so much to the likes of Picasso's brilliant work, to the softness and quiet beauty, that she sets herself free into the peace.

A most definite 10/10.

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

Alice and Jewel are the same person. Best friends since they can remember, they are both outsider artists; everyone thinks Jewel is gay because Alice is the only person he ever talks to, and Alice just doesn't talk at all to anyone else. They both like the same quirky, gory, and eccentric stuff that can be found in Seattle. They are never apart, and yet no one else sees them. They are invisible.

However, as a high school sophomore, Alice is beginning to want something more. She has a major crush on Simon Murphy, a popular and gorgeous football player who is clearly out of her league. So Alice can hardly believe it when Simon starts talking to her. Pretty soon they are apparently an item--the oddest, most incomprehensible item the school has ever seen, perhaps. There's no pretense about Simon when he's around her, though. He is a genuinely good and sincere guy who understands his popular crowd is not all that great sometimes and envies the artsy crowd--Alice included--for being able to be themselves.

But her budding relationship with Simon puts a strain on Alice and Jewel's friendship, which was so close they were practically a couple. A week ago Alice had no prospects; suddenly she was stuck choosing between two. Either she begins a new life with the guy of her dreams and explore a new social life, or she remains with Jewel and continues to be invisible to the rest of the world.

Which one will Alice choose? Or can she have both?

I absolutely loved this book because all the characters are so real. There are no annoying stereotypes because it seems like every character defies them. There are no easy answers because, well, that's life, and Liz Gallagher portrays it so very sweetly. This is a short and quick read, but it will linger with you.

Reader reviewed by Brenda

This is a slim, but charming book. Alice is comfortable in the background, and she's really pretty happy with her life, she lives in Seattle (which she loves!), has great parents, and has her best friend, Jewel (a boy), who she can talk to about anything, and she has Dove Girl, her Picasso print. But she really wants a boyfriend, just someone to hold hands with and go to the school dance. Then Simon Murphy, a cute and popular boy begins to show some interest in her, and Jewel really doesn't like it. One day, she and Jewel are hanging out together as friends and Jewel kisses her. Soon after, Simon asks Alice to the Halloween Dance and she accepts. She was supposed to be going with Jewel, but they're just friends so she thinks he won't mind. He does and they have a big fight. Her relationship with Simon seems to be working out, but she really misses her old friend.

Some descriptions of this book make it sound like Alice tries on a "magical dress", but that's not really how to story goes. There IS a dress, but both Jewel and Simon were showing interest before the dress. I liked this book quite a bit, I wish there was more of it! The sense of place is fantastic, and I enjoyed Alice. She's a girl who has no clue how special she is, and I liked her "outsider, but happy with it" status. I also enjoyed the underlying ideas about when boys are friends and when they're something more.

Reader reviewed by abscae

This inspiring novel begins with the readers meeting Alice, as she consults her "Dove Girl," better known as Le Visage de la Paix. The face of peace. And that is what Alice yearns for, a sense of peace and to fit in. In the beginning, she wants a special boy that she connects with. She soon gets that with Simon yet she starts noticing the differences between wanting someone and loving them. As Alice's art comes to life, she finds what it truly means to be the opposite of invisible. In the end, "the opposite of invisible" does not mean being popular or being pretty in the eyes of others. It means to be seen and heard as being beautiful in the eyes of yourself.

I remember, in the beginning of the novel, when she constantly stated of her invisible state, I turned to the cover. I wished that I could see that cover in reality, to run my fingers over the minuscule bumps of the medium and I wished so strongly to tell her how beautiful she was. Inside and out.

Alice, oh boy, Alice is something else, I tell you. She will make you laugh at her energy and cry at her mistakes and misfortunes. She will make you fall in love withh at her her passion and yearn for her discoveries and experiences. But mostly she will inspire you so fiercely to discover yourself, you might as well call her your own Dove Girl. She transforms herself so much to the likes of Picasso's brilliant work, to the softness and quiet beauty, that she sets herself free into the peace.

A most definite 10/10.

Please visit www.abscaen.blogspot.com for more of my reviews.

Reader reviewed by jocelyn

THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE, Class of 2k8 member Liz Gallaghers impressive debut novel, is truly amazing. Its about one girl finding her place in the world, sorting out herself and her relationships, in a story where the setting, Seattle, is so important and so alive that it practically becomes a character itself! Told in Alices distinctive, honest voice, the story focuses a lot on her feelings for two different guys in her life: Jewel and Simon. Jewel has been a part of her life for a long time. Hes her best friend, and practically her whole world. Theyre extremely close, but Alice is getting a little restless. She wants to know other people, to have other friends, but shes not sure its a desire Jewel will like. Simon, on the other hand, is a very new part of her life. Shes been crushing on him for awhile, but it seems like hes finally noticing her backat a very inopportune time: she and Jewel are starting to become possibly more than just friends. The only person she has to turn to when Jewel freezes her out is Dove Girl, her poster of the famous painting by Picasso that she talks to. In a very short time, Alice has gone from having no boyfriend prospects that she could see, to having to choose between two great guys.

Talking about the plot doesnt really do this brilliant novel justice, though. Its certainly character-driven, and Liz Gallagher captures all of her characters perfectly. Alice is just one of the most perfect, real, and honest teenage girl characters Ive seen in quite awhile, and someone Id love to meet in real life. The first line of this book is perfect: Some girls have journals. I talk to my poster. Its just so Alice, so unique, so intriguing, so perfect. Alice is a very real teenage girl, and she has real questions that we all have about love, friendship, and life. Shes so true-to-life, but also so wonderfully unlike anyone Ive ever met! The other characters populating this novel are well-drawn, but Alice is my favorite character of the year so far, by far.

Liz Gallaghers lyrical prose draws the reader right in, and my only wish for this book is that it be longer! Its only 151 pages, and I wanted to spend far longer than that in Alices world. Those 151 pages go by far too quickly, though! This book is definitely one Id love to reread, and I cant wait to read whatever Gallagher writes next. Shes certainly one of the most promising new voices in young adult literature.

Reposted from http://teenbookreview.wordpress.com

Reader reviewed by The Story Siren

"Whats the difference between a crush and love? Between love and best-friendship? Alice is about to find out."

Alice has been best friends with Jewel for as long as she remembers. Jewel is her only friend. Alice doesnt think there is anything special about herself. She doesnt wear much make-up if any, likes to wear her hair in a pony tail and prefers jeans and a T-shirt. Even though she loves art and being creative, she doesnt think she posses the abilities to be a good artist, like Jewel is. So Alice easily blends into the background of her school population, which makes her feel invisible.

Alice talks to Jewel about everything, but she cant find the courage to tell him about her crush on, popular and cute, Simon Murphy. At least she has her Dove Girl to confide in.To her surprise, Simon waves goodbye to her at school, and then he happens to be at the same concert. And he comes over to talk to her instead of standing with his friends! Things are starting to look up. Suddenly Alice doesnt feel so invisible.

Everything changes when Simon kisses her, because it just so happens that Jewels feelings may be more than just friendship, because he also happens to kiss her . Alice likes that she doesnt feel invisible when she is with Simon, but she is worried that she will have to sacrifice her friendship with Jewel to stay that way.

I loved The Opposite of Invisible, because I remember feeling the same way! I mean not necessarily the whole guy thing, but the invisible thing, yes! Alices character seemed so real to me, like she could be someone that I know. She struggles with things that any teenager would, like love, friendship, and self discovery.

The message in this novel is that sometimes you just need to be yourself, even though you might not have it figured out who you really are yet.The Opposite of Invisible is a debut novel for author Liz Gallagher and I truly hope that it will not be her last. I encourage you to pick up your own copy.

Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince

Alice and Jewel. Jewel and Alice. Theyve always been best friends, or at least it seems that way. But lately, Alice has felt invisible, like without Jewel, she is nobody. Not that shed want to be without him. She definitely wouldnt. But, hes been acting different around her lately. Nothing seems as easy and comfortable anymore.

When the guy shes been crushing on suddenly becomes aware of her existence, Alice begins to explore the possibility that shes not as invisible as she thought&or at least she doesnt have to be.

There was no chance I wouldnt love a book that starts with the line, Some girls have journals. I talk to my poster.

Right from the beginning, Alices voice comes through loud and clear. Her uncertainty is real and it resonates with that part of me that feels the same way. Invisible.

Alice stretches the boundaries of her world. So does this author. Theres a cadence to her writing that brings life to the setting and to the deceptively simple plot. The rhythm and pacing of this book is unique. The structure is compelling. But most of all, its protagonist is familiar and interesting&a hard balance to strike.

A go-with-the-flow story that can be read in a couple of sittings&one for over-achieving readers with a free afternoon. To be enjoyed like a double tall vanilla latte. No sugar.

Reader reviewed by The Story Siren

"Whats the difference between a
crush and love?
Between love and
best-friendship?
Alice is about to find out."


Alice has been best friends with Jewel for as long as she remembers. Jewel is her only friend. Alice doesnt think there is anything special about herself. She doesnt wear much make-up if any, likes to wear her hair in a pony tail and prefers jeans and a T-shirt. Even though she loves art and being creative, she doesnt think she posses the abilities to be a good artist like Jewel is. So Alice easily blends into the background of her school population, which makes her feel invisible.


Alice talks to Jewel about everything, but she cant find the courage to tell him about her crush on, popular and cute, Simon Murphy. At least she has her Dove Girl to confide in.


Unexpectedly Simon waves goodbye to her one day, and then he happens to be at the same concert, where he makes an effort to talk to her. Suddenly Alice doesnt feel so invisible. Everything changes when Simon kisses her, because Jewel also happens to kiss her that very same day. Alice likes that she doesnt feel invisible when she is with Simon, but she is worried that she will have to sacrifice her friendship with Jewel to stay that way.


I loved The Opposite of Invisible, because I remember feeling the same way! I mean not necessarily the whole guy thing, but the invisible thing, yes! Alices character seemed so real to me, like she could be someone that I know. She struggles with things that any teenager would, like love, friendship, and self discovery. The message in this novel is that sometimes you just need to be yourself, even though you might not have it figured out who you really are yet.


The Opposite of Invisible is a debut novel for author Liz Gallagher and I truly hope that it will not be her last. I encourage you to pick up your own copy on January 8th 2008.