Editorial Content for It's All Your Fault

IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT by Paul Rudnick --- a well-known playwright and author of the books GORGEOUS and SOCIAL DISEASE --- follows a 17-year-old girl named Caitlin Mary Prudence Rectitude Singleberry who is worrying where she will get into college, if she is accepted at all. Sheltered and homeschooled, Caitlin was raised to be a God-fearing individual, which she most certainly is. She has also developed certain behaviors like tapping her fingers or saying her siblings’ names a few times, not only because they calm her down but because she believes something horrible will happen if she doesn’t.

Caitlin’s Aunt Nancy asks her to visit her celebrity cousin, Heller Harrigan, in New York City to make sure Heller doesn’t abuse drugs, drink alcohol or party excessively before her new movie comes out.  Caitlin and Heller grew apart because of an incident that happened a few years ago, and Heller is furious about the visit. Meanwhile, Caitlin is soon introduced to an unfamiliar worked of cursing, drugs, clubs, parties and everything that show business has to offer. She finds herself doing things that she normally wouldn’t and later becomes very angry with herself and blames Heller for her actions.

IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT is very funny and I think that readers will relate to Caitlin because of her college acceptance fears, nervous habits and positive attitude. Readers also get to see how different Caitlin and Heller are, and how being a public figure can be very stressful and result in self-destructive behavior.  

The girls’ differences in IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT will make many people smile.  

I do wish we knew why Nancy allowed her daughter to get to a point where she began making negative choices. Regardless of how free-spirited Nancy was, why was she not more involved and informed in the choices that Heller made? Why did she not try and stop Heller from being in the public eye so often? Why didn’t Nancy talk to Heller about applying to colleges? Also what happened to Heller’s father?

In spite of this, I think the girls’ differences in IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT will make many people smile.  This story also shows how important it is for one to always be accountable for their actions and how situations may not always be as horrible as they seem. I would recommend this novel for anyone who struggles with anxiety, feels wronged by someone they loved and want to see the negative sides of being a public figure.