Scan barcode
whaleykayleigh's review
4.0
A wonderful collection of short stories of gay awakenings. This book definitely solidified the queer idea of “we’ve always been here” and it was a beautiful way to connect with older queer experiences.
kelroka's review
4.0
One of the better written/edited queer anthologies I have read in a long while. Great read.
coldinaugust's review
3.0
Queer 13 is a collection of short stories by queer writers about being 13 (or, more generally, in junior high). There are a couple of good stories about queer adults who reach out (in nonsexual ways) to the younger, narrating generation and help them become aware of ways that it is possible to be a queer adult, that it gets better. There also seemed to be an interesting stereotype-defying trend of complicated relationships between the young gay males narrators and their mothers.
I did notice three disappointing trends. The first was the greater prevalence of exciting sexual or near-sexual encounters between boys (queer narrators and male peers of any identity), contrasted with the chaster awakenings of female queer narrators. I do, in fact, remember being heartily disappointed with the lack of lesbian experimentation I encountered, while being surrounded by my gay boy friends who were experimenting all over the place. I can't say this is universal, but my experience was mirrored in this collection of stories.
The second trend was that there seemed to be quite a number of stories of queer youth falling in love/lust/infatuation with their straight peers. I have often wondered if this is merely a manifestation of demographics, or if it is some sort of internalized homophobia, a kind of self-sabotage. Again, an experience I identified with all too well.
The third disappointing trend is that the word “queer” apparently does not encompass transgendered or genderqueer folks. Gender nonconformity is alluded to, but soley in a homo- or bisexual context.
None were as heady as I expected or remembered age 13 to be, but it is a decent mixed bag of short stories about a pivotal time during queer youth. But, all said, I found the book's concept to be more inspiring than anything I found within its pages.
I did notice three disappointing trends. The first was the greater prevalence of exciting sexual or near-sexual encounters between boys (queer narrators and male peers of any identity), contrasted with the chaster awakenings of female queer narrators. I do, in fact, remember being heartily disappointed with the lack of lesbian experimentation I encountered, while being surrounded by my gay boy friends who were experimenting all over the place. I can't say this is universal, but my experience was mirrored in this collection of stories.
The second trend was that there seemed to be quite a number of stories of queer youth falling in love/lust/infatuation with their straight peers. I have often wondered if this is merely a manifestation of demographics, or if it is some sort of internalized homophobia, a kind of self-sabotage. Again, an experience I identified with all too well.
The third disappointing trend is that the word “queer” apparently does not encompass transgendered or genderqueer folks. Gender nonconformity is alluded to, but soley in a homo- or bisexual context.
None were as heady as I expected or remembered age 13 to be, but it is a decent mixed bag of short stories about a pivotal time during queer youth. But, all said, I found the book's concept to be more inspiring than anything I found within its pages.
patriciaeff's review
3.0
Some of the stories were less interesting, but overall I really enjoyed this book. I wouldn't have paid for it if it hadn't been for class, though
More...