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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"four gay boys, invisible to the rest of the world, but we saw each other."
I'm fucking hysterical and I have no one to discuss this with
I'm fucking hysterical and I have no one to discuss this with
A brilliantly written story of 3 young guys growing up gay in rural Australia. This book is not only a lovely read but provides an important validation and affirmation of LGBTQIA+ experience. Sadly, even today many LGBTQIA+ people, particularly those in rural, conservative and religious communities, feel invisible, or a need to try and be invisible for safety and survival reasons. Although written for younger readers Holden's storytelling, full of passion, whit, rawness and sensitivity, has found him a broad audience who resonate with the sadness, pain and tragedy experienced by the main characters as they encounter rejection, isolation and self-hatred. But Invisible Boys is not just a tragedy but rather a story of resilience, hope and affirmation. With boldness and warmth Holden invites us into the complex and sometimes heartbreaking experience of growing up gay in an world that is not equally accepting and affirming of everyone. And in this story he inspires us to be courageous and compassionate, with ourselves and each other.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
This book is a raw and poignant exploration of being queer in rural Australia, told through four different points of view: Charlie, the rocker; Zeke, the nerd; Hammer, the footy star; and Matt, the farmer's son. Each perspective felt specific and authentic, sadly so given the current time period it's set in, proving that progress is often painfully slow the further you go from the cities.
Sheppard does a beautiful job of setting up each character and their situation, slowly forming connections with each MC until their stories converge. Their interactions with each other are particularly enthralling, and the fast pace made this book so easy to keep reading. Despite the unflinching examinations of homophobia, toxic masculinity, performative allyship, religion, and suicide, there is a surprising amount of hope still within these pages.
It's impossible to escape how Australian this book feels, which is a large reason why it's so successful. The settings are vivid, the dialogue funny and natural, and ultimately it was affirming to read a book about growing up rural as I did, through the lens of queerness.
This book is a triumph on many levels, but most especially for the young adults who will hopefully read this book and feel seen, understood, and validated.
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
This book is a raw and poignant exploration of being queer in rural Australia, told through four different points of view: Charlie, the rocker; Zeke, the nerd; Hammer, the footy star; and Matt, the farmer's son. Each perspective felt specific and authentic, sadly so given the current time period it's set in, proving that progress is often painfully slow the further you go from the cities.
Sheppard does a beautiful job of setting up each character and their situation, slowly forming connections with each MC until their stories converge. Their interactions with each other are particularly enthralling, and the fast pace made this book so easy to keep reading. Despite the unflinching examinations of homophobia, toxic masculinity, performative allyship, religion, and suicide, there is a surprising amount of hope still within these pages.
It's impossible to escape how Australian this book feels, which is a large reason why it's so successful. The settings are vivid, the dialogue funny and natural, and ultimately it was affirming to read a book about growing up rural as I did, through the lens of queerness.
This book is a triumph on many levels, but most especially for the young adults who will hopefully read this book and feel seen, understood, and validated.
"'Remember, Charlie, if you have a good day, then your worry was for nothing. And if you have a bad day, then we can fix it for tomorrow, okay?'
[...]
I want to recall Dad's words and feel comforted, like I did on my first day of year seven. But thinking of them just makes me think of Dad. He didn't know, back then, how easily things that shouldn't kill you still can."
Don’t read this book in public if crying in that space isn’t your thing. You will BAWL.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I absolutely loved Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard.
The novel takes a raw and painful look at issues including homophobia, family expectations, societal expectations, toxic masculinity, identity, fear, and isolation.
Invisible Boys was devastating, beautiful, honest and felt incredibly real. I will definitely be reading more of Holden Sheppard’s work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes