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finesilkflower's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
In this coming-of-age queer novel, Leila, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, worries about coming out to her parents while experiencing the ups and downs of her first crush on a totally unsuitable new girl. Odd pacing, with the climax near the middle and a ton of denouement.
This book is 8 years old as of this writing, and it already feels incredibly dated. (Tbh, I suspect it felt that way at the time, as well.) My main problem is the characterization of the queer or perceived-queer background characters, mostly members of the theater crew (I'll just call them "theater kids"). They are all played for laughs, but in a "laughing at" rather than "laughing with" way; they are broad caricatures mocked for their gender nonconformity, lack of interest in heterosexual beauty ideals, and adherence to tired stereotypes. The only gay male character is a dramatic theater diva whom Leila finds ridiculous and annoying; the rest of the theater kids are girls who listen to Ani DiFranco and snipe at each other over PETA petitions. It's like a time warp of lesbian jokes that were cliché even in 1995.
And no, it doesn't help when it turns out that they aren't even lesbians!! omg lol! they're straight!!! This feels like a get-out-of-jail-free card designed to let Farizan continue making them the butt of lesbian jokes without it technically being homophobic. But it still feels mean-spirited (and is still butch-phobic, GNC-phobic, and like actually also homophobic because it is mocking people for "seeming" queer.) It just feels like the inverse of that thing in the early 2000's where critics praised The L Word for not having any butch characters and only showing skinny, feminine, traditionally hot lesbians. It's an attempt to erase the existence of butch lesbians, cast butch lesbian-ness itself as a nasty stereotype, and deny the relationship between queerness and rejecting the heterosexual gaze.
I feel like Farizan even made up new offensive stereotypes I've never heard of before, like that gay men hate lesbians. When he finds out that Leila is into girls, the only gay character, Tomas, says, "Ew, gross." Like, what????
Has Sara Farizan met any queer people?
Then, later, all the theater kids get together for a party and it's boring. What??? No, these people would throw the best parties.
I found it extremely alienating as a queer person (and former theater kid) to be in Leila's POV as she perceives the theater kids with disgust and fear, but I assumed this was to to set up character development where she'd come to love and respect them and consider herself one of them. Which... I guess she comes to be fond of them, but the respect is never there, nor the sense of solidarity. The theater kids are always played for laughs for being over-the-top, annoying, and weird. It's just profoundly counterproductive if Farizan's aim is actually to make queer kids feel seen and loved. Like sure you can be seen and loved as long as you're "normal" (read: straight-acting, gender-conforming), not like one of "those" queers.
And this is leaving aside the bi rep, which consists of a "greedy bisexual" cardboard villain and a not-like-other-bi's "not into labels" character.
Sheesh.
Okay, there were some things I liked:
- The overall idea of the story, in which Leila's first crush is toxic and bad for her. I feel like this shines a light on how closeted queer teens can so easily fall into emotionally abusive relationships because they are so wowed a having anyone they're attracted to pay attention to them, and then can't say anything when things go bad because they're afraid of being outed. The execution was a bit too heavy-handed for me, but a lack of subtlety can be okay in a book for tweens.
- Leila's family story; hopeful without being syrupy. The details about the Persian community feel real and lived-in.
- I did quite like the ultimate love interest, and the way her storyline handles grief.
Generally, though, I'd say give this one a pass. My general impression in this book was of an author who is still dealing with some self-hating queer ish.
This book is 8 years old as of this writing, and it already feels incredibly dated. (Tbh, I suspect it felt that way at the time, as well.) My main problem is the characterization of the queer or perceived-queer background characters, mostly members of the theater crew (I'll just call them "theater kids"). They are all played for laughs, but in a "laughing at" rather than "laughing with" way; they are broad caricatures mocked for their gender nonconformity, lack of interest in heterosexual beauty ideals, and adherence to tired stereotypes. The only gay male character is a dramatic theater diva whom Leila finds ridiculous and annoying; the rest of the theater kids are girls who listen to Ani DiFranco and snipe at each other over PETA petitions. It's like a time warp of lesbian jokes that were cliché even in 1995.
And no, it doesn't help when it turns out that they aren't even lesbians!! omg lol! they're straight!!! This feels like a get-out-of-jail-free card designed to let Farizan continue making them the butt of lesbian jokes without it technically being homophobic. But it still feels mean-spirited (and is still butch-phobic, GNC-phobic, and like actually also homophobic because it is mocking people for "seeming" queer.) It just feels like the inverse of that thing in the early 2000's where critics praised The L Word for not having any butch characters and only showing skinny, feminine, traditionally hot lesbians. It's an attempt to erase the existence of butch lesbians, cast butch lesbian-ness itself as a nasty stereotype, and deny the relationship between queerness and rejecting the heterosexual gaze.
I feel like Farizan even made up new offensive stereotypes I've never heard of before, like that gay men hate lesbians. When he finds out that Leila is into girls, the only gay character, Tomas, says, "Ew, gross." Like, what????
Has Sara Farizan met any queer people?
Then, later, all the theater kids get together for a party and it's boring. What??? No, these people would throw the best parties.
I found it extremely alienating as a queer person (and former theater kid) to be in Leila's POV as she perceives the theater kids with disgust and fear, but I assumed this was to to set up character development where she'd come to love and respect them and consider herself one of them. Which... I guess she comes to be fond of them, but the respect is never there, nor the sense of solidarity. The theater kids are always played for laughs for being over-the-top, annoying, and weird. It's just profoundly counterproductive if Farizan's aim is actually to make queer kids feel seen and loved. Like sure you can be seen and loved as long as you're "normal" (read: straight-acting, gender-conforming), not like one of "those" queers.
And this is leaving aside the bi rep, which consists of a "greedy bisexual" cardboard villain and a not-like-other-bi's "not into labels" character.
Sheesh.
Okay, there were some things I liked:
- The overall idea of the story, in which Leila's first crush is toxic and bad for her. I feel like this shines a light on how closeted queer teens can so easily fall into emotionally abusive relationships because they are so wowed a having anyone they're attracted to pay attention to them, and then can't say anything when things go bad because they're afraid of being outed. The execution was a bit too heavy-handed for me, but a lack of subtlety can be okay in a book for tweens.
- Leila's family story; hopeful without being syrupy. The details about the Persian community feel real and lived-in.
- I did quite like the ultimate love interest, and the way her storyline handles grief.
Generally, though, I'd say give this one a pass. My general impression in this book was of an author who is still dealing with some self-hating queer ish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, and Outing
Minor: Religious bigotry and Alcohol
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This was a cute, queer YA story. I liked Leila, but found some of the other characters to be seriously underdeveloped. The antagonist of the story seemed to be over the top and not believable, the love interest was a bit flat, and the best friend didn't get nearly enough focus. It was cute, but I think it could have been a much better book with some more character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual content
pinkfawn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was really cute! I read it in just a couple hours because it was difficult to put it down. The family dynamics were very enjoyable to read about, it was a great insight to viewing someone else's culture. I also liked how this book ended with a plot twist that was so so good for all the characters involved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Lesbophobia, and Racism
tahsintries's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Racism
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