Relationships

One of the primary themes running through the novel is relationships. The novel reveals that even the individuals that make up a family have different relationships among the family members. For example, Carrie and her father have a closer relationship than Dorrit and her father. All three of the Bradshaw girls seem to have had a closer relationship with their mother rather than their father before their mother died.

Friendship is another type of relationship the novel tackles. First, Carrie and Lali are best friends, but there is a fine line between their friendship and their romantic love for the same boy—Sebastian Kydd. It seems as if Carrie and Donna LaDonna could have become friends sooner than their senior year in high school if Donna hadn't allowed looks and preconceived notions take over.

Romantic relationships are also tackled in the novel. Carrie has her first true...