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topy_loving_books's review
3.0
I liked the illustrations and the black boxes over the swear words and references about sex at first. It's what drawn me to this book at first. That and the subject of facing your sexuality as a teen boy, which can be very difficult for a gay boy (thanks to patriarcal society and toxic masculinity). I thought the black boxes were a clever way to make the book even more accessible for a YA audience (as queer books get banned more and more in the US).
But quickly I struggled with both concepts, as it got more difficult to understand what the hero was talking about, especially about his sex experiments with his friend. It would have been helpful to have a better understanding of what they were doing together to kind of answer Ant's own questioning. Also as much as I liked the illustrations at first, I struggled to identify who was who as they were not clearly defined as the story progressed. And it was putting me out of the story.
About the story on its own, I was expecting more development especially about Ant and Charlie as they explore each other body (and sexuality) for months. The way Charlie acted with Ant was full of own self homophobia to me. Even if for Ant at the end, he thought his friend was not gay but lonely. Over all this book felt pretty generic. Especially as many other YA books had done a better job at portraying such struggles for queer teens.
On a side note, I've read the Canadian/US edition so the main talk between the two boys was about american football and regular football (soccer). When in the original version it's between regular football and rugby. I don't get the change. As the north american audience couldn't understand it or relate?!
But quickly I struggled with both concepts, as it got more difficult to understand what the hero was talking about, especially about his sex experiments with his friend. It would have been helpful to have a better understanding of what they were doing together to kind of answer Ant's own questioning. Also as much as I liked the illustrations at first, I struggled to identify who was who as they were not clearly defined as the story progressed. And it was putting me out of the story.
About the story on its own, I was expecting more development especially about Ant and Charlie as they explore each other body (and sexuality) for months. The way Charlie acted with Ant was full of own self homophobia to me. Even if for Ant at the end, he thought his friend was not gay but lonely. Over all this book felt pretty generic. Especially as many other YA books had done a better job at portraying such struggles for queer teens.
On a side note, I've read the Canadian/US edition so the main talk between the two boys was about american football and regular football (soccer). When in the original version it's between regular football and rugby. I don't get the change. As the north american audience couldn't understand it or relate?!
caitctus's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
adamh4yes's review
5.0
At first glance the writing style seemed very jarring with the black censorship boxes, but the more I read, the more I fell in love with it. It is a very interesting (and not wholly untrue) depiction of life in a British school as a gay teen.
katykelly's review
4.0
Effective but brief look at adolescent male sexuality and friendship.
It's a hard point in life, the teenage years, whoever you are. Even a book of less than 100 pages can convey that. And does.
This is succinct but pointed. Sparse but deep. It didn't feel like Ness's other works to me, but I think this deserves a place in secondary school libraries and will find an audience.
With a very unusual style, swear words blacked out like old telegrams, that the characters themselves are aware of and mock, the narrator shows his own life at one period of his young life. Knowing his sexuality will be challenged and derided in school, he keeps it to himself. Despite one friend 'using' him for much-needed physical release, another confiding his own homosexual feelings to him, and the fourth in their 'group' wanting him to move from football to rugby.
It's a microcosm of teenage hormones, confusion, angst, fear and lust. The pencil drawings added to the school vibe, and the fast-moving story brought about the conflict you could see coming almost before you know you've arrived there.
One for PSHE lessons, one for teenagers to consider and mull over and take on board in any way they need. Good to see boys' emotions and needs covered exclusively in a male-dominated narrative.
Due to blacking out, there's hardly a rude word or action in sight, but context-wise this is best in the hands of ages 13 and above.
With thanks to netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
It's a hard point in life, the teenage years, whoever you are. Even a book of less than 100 pages can convey that. And does.
This is succinct but pointed. Sparse but deep. It didn't feel like Ness's other works to me, but I think this deserves a place in secondary school libraries and will find an audience.
With a very unusual style, swear words blacked out like old telegrams, that the characters themselves are aware of and mock, the narrator shows his own life at one period of his young life. Knowing his sexuality will be challenged and derided in school, he keeps it to himself. Despite one friend 'using' him for much-needed physical release, another confiding his own homosexual feelings to him, and the fourth in their 'group' wanting him to move from football to rugby.
It's a microcosm of teenage hormones, confusion, angst, fear and lust. The pencil drawings added to the school vibe, and the fast-moving story brought about the conflict you could see coming almost before you know you've arrived there.
One for PSHE lessons, one for teenagers to consider and mull over and take on board in any way they need. Good to see boys' emotions and needs covered exclusively in a male-dominated narrative.
Due to blacking out, there's hardly a rude word or action in sight, but context-wise this is best in the hands of ages 13 and above.
With thanks to netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
amethyst1551's review
emotional
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
andy1118's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
huxleystorm's review
4.0
patrick ness what the ⬛️⬛️!! not super depressing and nihilistic but also not super cheesy and shallow!! no one else does that!! more people should do that!! it’s so much more interesting than just a woman rotting away in her bed for a year!!
patrick ness i love you i will read anything you write
patrick ness i love you i will read anything you write
fictionalsarah's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
pied_piper's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0