‘Anthropology of an American Girl’ by Hilary Thayer Hamann

Well, I truly do not know where to begin with this one, other than to say that I feel like I have been on a journey of the most profound and transformative kind. Hell, I could pull out every superlative ever coined and still it would not explain just how strongly I feel about this book. I have an inkling that this will be rather a lengthy write-up, so I apologise in advance. Let me begin by providing you with some basic background information...

Anthropology of an American Girl is American author Hilary Thayer Hamann's debut novel, first published in 2003 by Hamann's own Vernacular Press. Interestingly, Hamann did not send the manuscript to any literary agents or publishing houses until 2007, after Vernacular Press had closed. Two months later the rights were purchased by Spiegel & Grau and an edited version of Anthropology was published in hardback form in May 2010. The paperback version, pictured, followed in June of this year.

Of her debut novel, Hamann has stated that 'this is a story of personhood, of growing by degrees.' Anthropology of an American Girl is the tale of a search for authenticity narrated in the first-person voice by an initially seventeen-year-old Eveline Auerbach. It is a semi-autobiographical work, described as an exploration of the social and cultural anxieties that prevent people from living their lives meaningfully. Hamann attended graduate anthropology classes at her alma mater of New York University and cites these as her main inspiration for the novel. Anthropology is set against Reagan-era America, mainly between the years of 1979 and 1984, and most of the 'action' takes place either on Long Island, NY, or within the bustling metropolis of Manhattan itself, along with the occasional excursion to New Jersey. Now for my personal response to the novel...

Normally, anything with the term girl in the title sends me running at top speed in the opposite direction. Girl, Interrupted and Gossip Girl are the only exceptions that spring to mind, though I can now add Anthropology of an American Girl to that list. I began reading the book last Sunday and now, a mere six days later, I have finished it - no mean feat considering its 624-page length. I was sucked into Eveline's thoughts almost immediately and found myself reading on into the wee hours. Anthropology has been favourably compared to J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, as is the case with most good books nowadays, particularly those dealing with adolescence and issues of authenticity. Personally I enjoyed Anthropology much more, though it remains to be seen if it will age as well as its predecessor.

I do not wish to give too much of the plot away, for the decisions that Eveline makes - particularly those pertaining to her personal relationships - have consequences, good and bad, that shape her story in often unexpected ways. Imagine Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower if it were purged of cliches and written in a mature style reminiscent of Henry James, and what you are left with ought to resemble Anthropology of an American Girl. I look forward to reading it again and again, and will no doubt pass it on.

This piece was originally published on alisonlaurabell.tumblr.com in December 2011.