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kizzabell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
alsterus's review against another edition
I was excited since this had so many good reviews but I feel like the only reason I was reading it was because of the shock factor… other than that I hate the language that’s used. Maybe I’m a prude but it’s just so raunchy and gritty. It’s reminds me too much of grasshopper jungle which I HATED with a burning passion and I only read an excerpt from that
hed_o_'s review
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
zordrac's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jimmiethekidd's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
animelanie's review
4.0
Powerfully emotive book. Many could relate to these rural teens struggling with their identities and small town life.
jsncnrd's review against another edition
5.0
This one did me in. I finished the book yesterday and it’s stuck with me ever since. I foresee it remaining at the forefront of my mind for a while. That’s how affecting and tragic this story was. And this story could save lives.
Our three narrators – all in different stages of understanding their sexuality – give us insight into the coming out process. And with each narrator comes a theme related to those stages.
Charlie – Acceptance
Zeke – Skepticism
Hammer – Denial
Matt – Refusal
[ COMMENCE SPOILERS ]
Charlie was invisible. Invisible to his mother. Invisible to his narcissistic friends who weaponized his emotional suffering to make themselves the victims in the situation. (I fucking hated Hannah. So much.) He was my favorite character, hands down. He was resilient, he was brave, and he was strong.
Zeke was invisible. Invisible to his bigoted, self-centered parents. He only got attention that was fueled by hatred and fear of their image being tarnished. He was delicate and vulnerable.
Hammer was invisible. And he only made himself more invisible – locking himself deep in the closet as he notices the purple flowers near his home have disappeared, leaving behind only an unbroken field of yellow canola. He was infuriating and easy to dislike. But he was also suffering.
The revelation near the end of the book that Matt was the most invisible of the four boys was so shocking to me. His suicide notes / letterbombs were hiding in plain sight throughout the entire book. Led to believe that the notes had been written by one of our three narrators, the plot twist that Matt was struggling so hard all along was beyond heartbreaking.
Matt’s note to Charlie was one of the most emotional moments in recent reading history for me. I read the note several times, and it only hurt more and more. Telling Charlie he loved him should’ve been a beautiful moment. But instead, it was soul-crushing. It was a powerful moment that left my soul feeling so very heavy.
The ending gave me hope. Charlie and Zeke leaving town together was not the ending I expected, and I’m glad it’s the ending we got. I loved both of them so much -- and after a book filled to the brim with so much hatred, pain, and injustice, it was nice to finally feel an ounce of optimism.
The book gave me insight about homophobia in Australia, especially rural / small-town Australia. It touched on issues that were challenging and difficult. Suicide is a cruel reality, and stories about it remind us to fight for justice – and to do what we can to prevent it.
Invisible Boys was a fantastic book. Well-written, relevant, realistic, and brutally honest. I would read a sequel in a heartbeat. It had me in tears. It had me enraged. It ultimately had me sighing in relief and believing that Charlie and Zeke had a chance. I loved this story and spending time with its intricate, complex characters. HIGHLY recommend.
“So I wander through these nights, I prefer hiding in plain sight. / No one sees when you lose when you’re playing solitaire.” -Dear Reader // Taylor Swift
Our three narrators – all in different stages of understanding their sexuality – give us insight into the coming out process. And with each narrator comes a theme related to those stages.
Charlie – Acceptance
Zeke – Skepticism
Hammer – Denial
Matt – Refusal
[ COMMENCE SPOILERS ]
Charlie was invisible. Invisible to his mother. Invisible to his narcissistic friends who weaponized his emotional suffering to make themselves the victims in the situation. (I fucking hated Hannah. So much.) He was my favorite character, hands down. He was resilient, he was brave, and he was strong.
Zeke was invisible. Invisible to his bigoted, self-centered parents. He only got attention that was fueled by hatred and fear of their image being tarnished. He was delicate and vulnerable.
Hammer was invisible. And he only made himself more invisible – locking himself deep in the closet as he notices the purple flowers near his home have disappeared, leaving behind only an unbroken field of yellow canola. He was infuriating and easy to dislike. But he was also suffering.
The revelation near the end of the book that Matt was the most invisible of the four boys was so shocking to me. His suicide notes / letterbombs were hiding in plain sight throughout the entire book. Led to believe that the notes had been written by one of our three narrators, the plot twist that Matt was struggling so hard all along was beyond heartbreaking.
Matt’s note to Charlie was one of the most emotional moments in recent reading history for me. I read the note several times, and it only hurt more and more. Telling Charlie he loved him should’ve been a beautiful moment. But instead, it was soul-crushing. It was a powerful moment that left my soul feeling so very heavy.
The ending gave me hope. Charlie and Zeke leaving town together was not the ending I expected, and I’m glad it’s the ending we got. I loved both of them so much -- and after a book filled to the brim with so much hatred, pain, and injustice, it was nice to finally feel an ounce of optimism.
The book gave me insight about homophobia in Australia, especially rural / small-town Australia. It touched on issues that were challenging and difficult. Suicide is a cruel reality, and stories about it remind us to fight for justice – and to do what we can to prevent it.
Invisible Boys was a fantastic book. Well-written, relevant, realistic, and brutally honest. I would read a sequel in a heartbeat. It had me in tears. It had me enraged. It ultimately had me sighing in relief and believing that Charlie and Zeke had a chance. I loved this story and spending time with its intricate, complex characters. HIGHLY recommend.
“So I wander through these nights, I prefer hiding in plain sight. / No one sees when you lose when you’re playing solitaire.” -Dear Reader // Taylor Swift
stephbooks's review
challenging
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hardlyworking's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a very challenging story. Readers looking for rainbow romances, supportive parents, and happily ever afters should look elsewhere. While I am glad that there are now so many stories depicting queer joy and community, I think it is important for us to be reminded that in so many places in the world religious bigotry, limited ideas about masculinity and femininity, intolerance of difference, and adults who do none of the right things for the queer young people (and many of the non-queer ones, too) in their midst are still quite common. As challenging as this novel can be (social rejection and isolation, bullying, homophobia, forced outing, parental and institutional neglect and abuse, and suicide), the strength and growth presented in two of the main characters in the face of all the trauma is hopeful and life-affirming in the end. There's lots of adult language, sexual content, underage drinking, violence, and general assholery. The muggles will be outraged, but they should read it anyway. For American readers potentially put off by the Australian (and Sicilian) language: Google is your friend.