Again Again

2020 novel by E. Lockhart

Again Again

Author| E. Lockhart
Language| English
Genre| Young adult fiction
Published| 2020
Publisher| Delacorte Press

Publication date

| June 2, 2020
Publication place| United States
Media type| Print (hardcover, paperback), audiobook
Pages| 289
ISBN| 9780385744799 Hardcover
OCLC| 1119746192

Again Again is a young adult novel by E. Lockhart, published June 2, 2020 by Delacorte Press.

Again Again takes place in the same setting as Lockhart's The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, Alabaster Preparatory Academy, though Again Again has a different protagonist, Adelaide Buchwald. The book follows Adelaide through a multiverse of opportunities over the summer between her junior and senior year of high school as she connects with a boy who once wrote a poem about her; the novel investigates the different ways their relationship might play out."[1]

## Writing style

[edit]

Again Again includes multiple possible storylines that provide "alternate details of the relationship" and "unfold ... much like a choose-your-own-ending story, except 'you' don't get to choose--Lockhart does."[2] Throughout the novel, Lockhart uses different fonts to indicate when a new, parallel experience begins. One font follows the central story so readers "can follow one central narrative through the whole book."[3] Another font exists for "every alternate universe," as well as a third font for another universe at the end of the story.[3] Lockhart explained this choice saying, "I think if you were disoriented at the beginning, that's okay with me. Some people will be disoriented, but it was the best way."[3]

Lockhart explained that she wanted to "tell a story that was really honest, but also not cynical about love."[3] The solution for her was to write a story with "multiple universes."[3]

## Reception

[edit]

Again Again was generally well-received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist,[4] The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,[5] School Library Journal.[6] School Library Journal said the book was "[a] lyrical read that's also fun as it addresses myriad truths."[6]

Kirkus Reviews called the book "[a] thoughtfully subversive exploration of the diverging pathways of the human heart."[7]

Publishers Weekly highlighted Lockhart's skill with plot twists, stating that Again Again takes the technique to a "new level, with a narrative that explores the idea of the multiverse, those infinite worlds loosed by paths taken and not taken."[8]

Shelf Awareness commented on the book's "unusual" style, explaining how "alternate details of the relationship ... unfold along parallel routes, much like a choose-your-own-ending story, except 'you' don't get to choose--Lockhart does."[2] They continued, stating, "In spite of the unusual timeline, Lockhart keeps the action moving. Scenes are short and just repetitive enough that readers know it's a re-do, but different enough that it's clear this is a synchronous event."[2]

## TV adaptation

[edit]

In July 2022, Lockhart announced that Again Again will be adapted for television after screen rights were acquired by Julie Plec's My So-Called Company and Universal Television.[9] Lockhart and Carina Adly MacKenzie, wrote the script for Roswell, New Mexico, will co-write the adaptation.[1] MacKenzie will also serve as the show's showrunner and executive producer alongside Plec and Emily Cummins.[9]

Lockhart called MacKenzie "a story queen and a brainiac who is very funny and mind-blowingly thoughtful," saying she "can't wait to go on this adventure with her."[9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Schaub, Michael (July 21, 2022). "Three Books by E. Lockhart Will Be Adapted for TV". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
2. ^ a b c Coulter, Emilie (June 2, 2020). "Again Again". Shelf Awareness. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
3. ^ a b c d e NewberyTart (June 2, 2020). "E. Lockhart on Writing a Realistic, Uncynical Love Story". Literary Hub. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
4. ^ Hutley, Krista (March 15, 2020). "Again Again". Booklist. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
5. ^ Stevenson, Deborah (2020). "Again Again by E. Lockhart". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 73 (10): 436–436\. doi:10.1353/bcc.2020.0422. ISSN 1558-6766.
6. ^ a b Hilbun, Janet (April 1, 2020). "Again Again". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
7. ^ "Again Again". Kirkus Reviews. March 29, 2020. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
8. ^ "Again Again by E. Lockhart". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
9. ^ a b c Rice, Lynette (July 20, 2022). "Julie Plec & Universal TV Option YA Books 'We Were Liars,' 'Family of Liars' & 'Again Again' By E. Lockhart". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.

*[OCLC]: Online Computer Library Center number