"The Princess Diaries"

Nathania Carissa Vida Octaviani Simanjuntak (392020032)

March 15th, 2021

 Introduction

The Princess Diaries is a series of espitolary young adult novel by Meg Cabot and this is also the first title of the first volume. The book was first published by Harper Thropy on May 30th, 2000. The name of the illustrator is not listed in the book. However, because I don't have the original book, I only read it through the e-book. I read this book in the e-book. So, I have completed the 102 pages. I choose to read this e-book, because I interested with the title of the book. 

The Characters

-. Mia Thermopolis: is the protagonist of the story. She is the product of a college romance between Helen Thermopolis, a painter, and Philippe Renaldi, the prince of Genovia.

-. Clarisse Marie was formally known as the Dowager Princess Clarisse Marie Grimaldi Renaldo. Clarisse is the dowager princess of Genovia and Mia's paternal grandmother.

-. Lily Moscovitz: Mia's best friend since kindergarten, Lilly is a highly intelligent and opinionated person who has her own public-access-television show, titled Lilly Tells It Like It Is, in which she discusses political and social issues. By the end of the story, her TV show is picked up by a network and is apparently very popular in South Korea.

-. Michael Moscovitz: Lilly's older brother, and Mia's main love interest throughout the series. Mia states that she has been in love with Michael since the day he came over to give Lilly a school project when they were in the first grade and he was in the fourth. From the end of the first book to the third, Mia has an unrequited crush on Michael, which he finally reciprocates in Princess in Love. 

Plot

Mia lives with her flighty single mother, who earns a living as an artist. Mia attends a private school and spends her summers with her father and his mother at her chateau in France. Her best friend, Lily Moscovitz, is a militant teenager with her own TV show, focused on exposing the racism of the local Chinese deli-owners owners for discounting Asian students 5 cents.
 
Mia’s diary entries lament typical teenage issues: her hair is too big, she is hopelessly in love with a popular boy, senior Josh Richter, and she struggles with algebra. Not only that, but her mother is dating her algebra teacher, Frank Gianni, complicating things further. Amidst all these struggles, Mia's father comes to visit, turning her world upside down when he reveals that he is not a European politician, but, actually, the prince of the small country Genovia—which makes Mia, his only child, the crown princess. Shocked and devastated, Mia believes that she is utterly incapable of becoming a princess. She hides the truth from Lily in the fear that Lily will abandon her.

Although Mia is unhappy with this revelation, she comes to a compromise with her father: she will attend school as usual and spend her summers in Genovia to fulfill princess duties. They agree, but her formidable grandmother (called Grandmère) enters the picture to throw in another wrench. She flies to New York and takes up residence at the Plaza Hotel, demanding that Mia begin taking princess lessons with her. During this time, she leaks the secret to the press. The paparazzi show up at Mia’s school, catapulting her into stardom and popularity. Because of her princess lessons, Mia does not have time to help Lily with her TV show, and Lily goes on the defensive. The two girls get into an argument, refusing to speak to each other.

Mia’s grandmother is quite difficult and scary. She wears a purple turban, smokes many cigarettes, drinks heavily, and can be cruel. It is clear that she is an intimidating character, and even Mia’s father bends to her will.

When Mia cannot sit with Lilly at lunch because of their fight, she asks to sit with Tina Hakim Baba, who has no friends. Tina has a very overprotective father, who forces her to travel with a bodyguard, so the school community has shunned her. Mia and Tina hit it off, and Mia feels bad for never having been nice to her before. Lana, a popular cheerleader, makes fun of Tina at lunch. In response, Mia throws an ice cream cone at her, which results in a visit to the principal's office.

As the book progresses, Mia gradually adjusts to her exposure as a princess. Although she is still not speaking to Lily, Lily’s brother Michael acts as a neutral ground, and she spends much time with him in extra-help sessions for Algebra. She also has to adjust to her newfound popularity; Josh begins to pay attention to her and students giggle whenever they see her. At lunch, Lana attempts to befriend Mia, but Mia sees right through her and rejects the offer of friendship. Soon thereafter, Josh breaks up with Lana and asks Mia to go with him to the upcoming Cultural Diversity Dance. Mia accepts immediately, despite some misgivings.

With the help of Grandmère, Mia convinces her parents to let her go to the dance. When they get there, Josh brings Mia in front of reporters and kisses her. Realizing the betrayal in this – he only wanted to be in the papers Mia walks away from him, spending time with her friends instead.

Mia apologizes to Lily at the dance. For the rest of the evening, she dances with Michael. She spends the night at Lily’s house. The kiss never reaches the papers due to a more important breaking story. Michael plays Mia a song he wrote called "Tall Drink of Water." Mia realizes that her true feelings were for Michael all along, and they begin a romantic relationship.

Conculsion

The book shows how to stay true to yourself, your friends and your family even if your world is turned upside down. The book is realistic and romantic at the same time. It’s about friendship and betrayal, about complicated relations at school and in the family. It reminds the reader that love, compassion, sympathy are the most precious things in life. I think this is an entertaining book that worth for everyone to reading this book.