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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I can already guarantee that this review won't do Golden Boy justice.
I knew that it would be good going in, because my friend Kathy spoke very highly of it. My expectations were fairly high and they were completely surpassed.
Abigail Tartellin takes a subject that most of us know very little about and presents it in a very matter-of-fact way. It would be so easy to kind of exploit the issue and make it sensationalistic. Instead, we fall in love with Max and we quickly view him the way he views himself: Max. His sexual organs don't matter; his gender doesn't matter. All that matters is that he's a sweet, wonderful boy. And that's why this book will break your heart in places.
It's hard to be a teenager in general and I feel that during those years, pretty much all of us will feel like a freak at times. But imagine how much harder it is to be Max, someone who has both female and male sexual organs. That's the kind of secret that, if exposed, could literally destroy your life. Teenagers aren't kind anyway, and with a bit of gossip like this? Oh good Lord.
I absolutely adored this book which ended much too soon and I can't wait to see what subject Abigail Tarttelin tackles next. She is a new must-buy author for me.
Highly, highly recommended.
I knew that it would be good going in, because my friend Kathy spoke very highly of it. My expectations were fairly high and they were completely surpassed.
Abigail Tartellin takes a subject that most of us know very little about and presents it in a very matter-of-fact way. It would be so easy to kind of exploit the issue and make it sensationalistic. Instead, we fall in love with Max and we quickly view him the way he views himself: Max. His sexual organs don't matter; his gender doesn't matter. All that matters is that he's a sweet, wonderful boy. And that's why this book will break your heart in places.
It's hard to be a teenager in general and I feel that during those years, pretty much all of us will feel like a freak at times. But imagine how much harder it is to be Max, someone who has both female and male sexual organs. That's the kind of secret that, if exposed, could literally destroy your life. Teenagers aren't kind anyway, and with a bit of gossip like this? Oh good Lord.
I absolutely adored this book which ended much too soon and I can't wait to see what subject Abigail Tarttelin tackles next. She is a new must-buy author for me.
Highly, highly recommended.
it could be 5 stars if Daniel the 10 years old little brother know how to talk like one. honestly, his POVs really drove me insane like what is this???
ah anyway, this book is a golden book. the whole storyline is perfect and the author really did a great job at writing with some heart-felt words. kudos!
ah anyway, this book is a golden book. the whole storyline is perfect and the author really did a great job at writing with some heart-felt words. kudos!
“It takes strength to be proud of yourself and to accept yourself when you know that you have something out of the ordinary about you.”
It's incredible how much I learned about intersexuality and gender in general while reading a beautiful and heartbreaking story.
All the characters were so well developed and I completely understood their role in the book. They are all there for a reason, growing up and learning just as much as we are.
I loved the writing style and the different points of views. This book broke my heart so many times. It taught me so many things that I didn't know. Brilliant, brilliant book!
It's incredible how much I learned about intersexuality and gender in general while reading a beautiful and heartbreaking story.
All the characters were so well developed and I completely understood their role in the book. They are all there for a reason, growing up and learning just as much as we are.
I loved the writing style and the different points of views. This book broke my heart so many times. It taught me so many things that I didn't know. Brilliant, brilliant book!
This was a great book. I knocked it down a star because I just didn't love one of the characters' chapters and I just found it boring sometimes
Trigger Warning: Very strong and difficult content, non-consensual decisions about the bodies of others, rape, abortion, self-shaming, attempted suicide.
If you wish to avoid the details of sexual assault while reading the book, skip Max’s first section.
Golden Boy is a heart-wrenching story about an intersex teen named Max, and the aftereffects of his rape. The main issue explored by the author in Max’s story is the secrecy and misconceptions surrounding sex and gender. At it’s core, this is a coming of age story with a conversation on social expectations. Along with characters’ problematic views comes the question their lives revolve around: what will people think?
An English novelist trained in acting, Abigail Tarttelin writes with natural ability. The character development is expertly established such that the reader becomes fully invested in Max, wanting to see the novel through to the end. This is the gift of a skilled author. The book is beautifully written in the simple style of many young adult novels, making it an easy read. However, the content is harrowing, making the reading psychologically challenging.
Each section of the book is divided according to character. The story continually shifts perspectives, allowing a thorough view of the complexities of the situation. The reader sees how Max’s character evolves through both his eyes and those of the people around him. The readers also get to know the personalities of the other characters, and how they affect the story.
Adding to the events of the book are the class, political, and familial elements of Max’s life. Max is the golden boy: blonde, smart, good-looking, sweet-natured, athletic, and popular. His parents live in the spotlight of their highly successful legal careers, which have a strong influence on Max’s feelings about himself, as well as his actions later on. His attacker is a childhood friend; a friendship at times forced by the close relationship between their mothers.
The end of the book is everything one could hope for. The book itself is a heartbreaker; Tarttelin gives her audience the ending that so many similar stories cannot have. I am happy with this; we all need some positivity in our lives. Tarttelin gives readers the kind of ending that gives one hope for a better day.
Check out my full review at vulvaink.wordpress.com
If you wish to avoid the details of sexual assault while reading the book, skip Max’s first section.
Golden Boy is a heart-wrenching story about an intersex teen named Max, and the aftereffects of his rape. The main issue explored by the author in Max’s story is the secrecy and misconceptions surrounding sex and gender. At it’s core, this is a coming of age story with a conversation on social expectations. Along with characters’ problematic views comes the question their lives revolve around: what will people think?
An English novelist trained in acting, Abigail Tarttelin writes with natural ability. The character development is expertly established such that the reader becomes fully invested in Max, wanting to see the novel through to the end. This is the gift of a skilled author. The book is beautifully written in the simple style of many young adult novels, making it an easy read. However, the content is harrowing, making the reading psychologically challenging.
Each section of the book is divided according to character. The story continually shifts perspectives, allowing a thorough view of the complexities of the situation. The reader sees how Max’s character evolves through both his eyes and those of the people around him. The readers also get to know the personalities of the other characters, and how they affect the story.
Adding to the events of the book are the class, political, and familial elements of Max’s life. Max is the golden boy: blonde, smart, good-looking, sweet-natured, athletic, and popular. His parents live in the spotlight of their highly successful legal careers, which have a strong influence on Max’s feelings about himself, as well as his actions later on. His attacker is a childhood friend; a friendship at times forced by the close relationship between their mothers.
The end of the book is everything one could hope for. The book itself is a heartbreaker; Tarttelin gives her audience the ending that so many similar stories cannot have. I am happy with this; we all need some positivity in our lives. Tarttelin gives readers the kind of ending that gives one hope for a better day.
Check out my full review at vulvaink.wordpress.com
I am struggling to type this review because I am currently sobbing over my computer. This book, is easily one of the most beautiful and important books I have ever read. This story, and these characters will always stay with me and I cannot recommend this gorgeous story enough. Beware for major trigger warning for rape, victim blaming, homophobia, and suicide. But if you can handle these tough topics then please do yourself a favor and pick up this gorgeous and important read.
Booktalk - https://youtu.be/nJGLqTExceE
Booktalk - https://youtu.be/nJGLqTExceE