Private (novel series)
Private is a series of young-adult novels by American author Kate Brian, beginning with 2006's inaugural entry of the same name. The books chronicle the rise of ambitious teenager Reed Brennan, the series' narrator, as she becomes a member of her new school's elite dorm—composed of a glamorous yet disparate group of teens known as the Billings Girls. As the series progresses, several matters surrounding mystery, morality, and romance arise.
Thematically, moral ambiguity is a prominent feature of Brian's work. Extreme cases of loyalty and antagonism are personified in characters such as Noelle Lange and Ivy Slade—to degrees that are sometimes questioned or denounced by the narrator. However, it is often only after the details of another character's background have been revealed that Brennan can understand what motivates them, which will occasionally leave her conflicted in her judgments. The series has companion works, set in the past and the future, which are dedicated to further exploring character. These novels include the Private prequel collection, which focuses on various figures, and the spin-off series Privilege, which follows the resourceful but disturbed Ariana Osgood.
To convey the story's tone, the series' art team was composed of select individuals with backgrounds in teenage popular culture and youth-oriented fashion. As a recurring visual theme, each cover from the central story depicts three young women on front, with a fourth featured a slight distance apart on the opposite side.
Debuts of Private novels have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. The publisher has also released e-book editions of the series and its spin-off. In May 2009, a Web series based on the Private novels was announced. A film adaptation began production at Warner Bros. in 2016.
Overview
The Private continuity is divided into three sets of novels: The original series, which covers present events; the spin-off Privilege, which takes place 1–2 years in the future; and the prequel collection, which is set during various points of the past.The original series begins with the introduction of Reed Brennan, a savvy and ambitious honors student who enters the prestigious Easton Academy private school. Coming from a shaken family and a mundane everyday life, she is eager to explore the brand new setting that awaits her in Connecticut. Unexpectedly, the center of her fascination soon becomes a famed dorm known as Billings House and the posh girls who reside there—Noelle, Ariana, Kiran, and Taylor. In time, Reed pines to become a Billings Girl herself, and is faced with many tests and compromises along the way. As the series progresses, several additional characters and their histories are introduced and focused upon.
Production
Conception
backed Private with book displays in Barnes & Noble outlets and a promotional contest through CosmoGIRL! magazine, in which 20 winners would receive free copies of book #1. Brian has stated that the setting of the series was conceived by her editor at Simon & Schuster, while she herself chose a central focus. After a certain amount of consideration, the author decided that mystery would be the ideal center of her characters' environment.Art team
The series' cover team was composed of individuals who have worked with teen idols and socialites. Graphic designer Julian Peploe—who previously worked on CD covers for the Pussycat Dolls, The Veronicas, and Brandy—is largely credited for the signature cover image depicting supposed antipathy between one girl and three others. Series photographer Roger Moenks had worked with Joss Stone prior to his being chosen to photograph the Private models. In addition, Mr. Moenks and co-photographer Laurent Alfieri had collaborated before working on Private, at some points taking photos of young businesswomen from around the world to illustrate a series of articles written by David Benaym for L'Officiel.Stylist Christina Havemeyer has stated that when deciding what the models will wear, "I look for obviously what I think is going to be something that a teenage girl is going to gravitate toward." She has noted the significance of color and variety. "Mixing and matching is very important...you can buy something from the store that's brand new and you can mix it with your grandma's necklace from 1959. So it creates kind of a luxe, but young, youthful look."
Since premiering, the series has been worked on by other noted artists, including Alloy Entertainment's visual director, Andrea C. Uva.
Cover models
In mid-2009, the series' Web site revealed alternative covers for several of the previously released US editions. Of the original covers, the models appearing on the first book—who grace the next three installments as well—portray the following characters according to Kate Brian: Noelle, Ariana, Taylor, and Kiran. The identities of other characters to appear have largely been left unverified.Characters
Private has an expansive cast and a regularly changing hierarchy. As conflicts ensue, the series is marked by exits, arrivals, and social ascensions. Consequently, characters who are on supporting status reach new heights, and characters who hold prominent positions are faced with a variety of descents, ranging from quiet to scandalous.Reed Brennan
Noelle Lange
Ariana Osgood
Josh Hollis
Kiran Hayes
Taylor Bell
Ivy Slade
Halls of residence
Easton Academy is unofficially distinguished by a caste-like environment, socially divided by lower-, middle-, and upper-class dormitories.Billings House
At the end of Suspicion, when Noelle and Reed are arriving back at Easton after break, Billings House is gone.
Bradwell Hall
Ketlar House
Drake House
Pemberly Hall
Parker
Hull Hall
Gwendolyn Hall
Themes
The central themes in the Private series revolve around sociological matters such as conformity and elitism—particularly as they pertain to an outsider during the coming of age period. As Reed strives to become a Billings Girl, she enters a world of moral ambiguity that raises questions concerning how far the characters will go in matters of ambition and loyalty.Book releases
With the exception of the first Private novel, which debuted in Canada on June 27, 2006, releases of the US and Canadian editions have been simultaneous, generally followed by releases in the United Kingdom.2008 saw the release of five books in the saga: three in the original series, the first prequel, and the first installment of the spin-off. Five novels were also announced for 2010: two in the original series, two in the spin-off series, and the second book in the Private prequel collection. In addition to release dates, the tables below account for New York Times Best Seller list peak numbers.
Prequels
Spin-off
Reception
The series has been mostly well received among Brian's fanbase, while critical response has generally ranged from positive to mixed. After covering the first book, a review for Publishers Weekly stated that readers would "no doubt eagerly await the next installment," but also cited issues with characterization in the series opening. Comments in this regard have normally claimed that Reed is the only character who is initially well-developed, with Publishers Weekly remarking that "the Billings Girls themselves are stereotypical, but Reed is more complex than most of this genre's narrators." This matter remained under scrutiny as the series moved on, with a review from School Library Journal being generally neutral, claiming that the continued series includes "characters and situations that are interesting yet familiar." Children's Literature praised Brian's writing style for presenting "a very easy read, broken up into small chapters that allow the quick pace to carry the reader through."In a survey conducted via the Website polldaddy.com, readers of the Private series voted Reed Brennan their favorite Billings Girl. Conversely, a more critical review from School Library Journal claimed that in the first book, several elements of her personality were left underdeveloped, including her apparent lack of ability to "empathize at all with her mother's pain-killer addiction."
There has been controversy regarding Brian's grasp of the characters' names and physical appearances. Throughout the beginning of the series, when the character of Kiki is first introduced, her last name is Rosen. However, her name is later switched to Kiki Thorpe. Additionally, the eye color of certain characters, including Josh Hollis, Thomas Pearson, and Ivy Slade, changes throughout the series. A critic stated in a review for Amazon.com that the appearances of many of the secondary characters, with the exception of a few, changes "with each new installment."
Throughout the majority of 2008, Brian posted first-chapter previews on her MySpace blog, which were regularly met with positive feedback. Beginning in December, the previews were moved to the series' official Website.