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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
Every once in a while i find "that" book. It's the book that has the harsh and truthful dialogue, the frustrating and real character actions and reactions and raw portrayal of headstrong beliefs clashing with societal realities. "That" book is the one that effects me so much that I want to throw it across the room. It's the book that makes me want to jump into the pages and fight off the bullies that are being inexcusably naive and cruel to our protagonists. There is nothing I didn't love about this book. Well actually, thats a lie, there was one thing, a thing that I should have seen coming but didn't. But if you want to find out what this is.....and trust me you will know when you get to it....you need to read Invisible Boys.
A beautifully poignant and impactful story. A must-read for anyone that grew up in a small town, unsure of their identity or sexuality. Holden Sheppard has injected pieces of his own story into this one, and it brings a heartbreaking authenticity to the lives of Hammer, Zeke and Charlie.
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For more book reviews, visit Underground Writers: https://bit.ly/2DJJQ9g
I think you can really tell that this book was written from personal experience growing up gay in a small Western Australian town. The characters, emotions and situations are all so realistic and believable and make this a really powerful story. Zeke, Charlie, Hammer and Matt are teenagers in Geraldton and all feel varying degrees of isolation, fear and victimisation for their homosexuality, causing most of them to want to remain invisible. They eventually find each other and offer some support through tough rejections and humiliations, in some cases finding the strength to accept and own their identities, although sadly not with the acceptance of their families. Although there are some graphic scenes, I think the most powerful parts come from one of the boys' suicide notes, where he says that even with increasing acceptance in society, gay guys are still seen as inferior, lacking masculinity, and especially in communities such as sport and traditionally masculine work environments, never really seen as equal. They must choose between societal acceptance as a 'real' man by remaining 'invisible' - marrying a woman and having children, or being true to themselves by coming out and owning their differences. Very well written.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I will always value modern Australian fiction for exisiting, and this was deeply, authentically, intrinsically Australian.
The boys-not to mention the rest of the community-didn’t always make the right choices, but what they did make was believably ones. Heartbreakingly, frustratingly, bitterly believable.
I’m not sure I enjoyed this book, but it is important and powerful and rawly true.
The boys-not to mention the rest of the community-didn’t always make the right choices, but what they did make was believably ones. Heartbreakingly, frustratingly, bitterly believable.
I’m not sure I enjoyed this book, but it is important and powerful and rawly true.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, Outing
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
MCD
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Simply stunning.
i won't pretend that this book didn't tug on my heartstrings, but my primary emotion was just frustration. not only at the jackass characters, but at all the offensive language, particularly casual sexism and fatphobia - even from "good" characters - and i get that it's small town rural australia, but it was hard to warm up to any character with all of that (never mind the nonstop negativity from every single one.)
i will say this would make a good movie. it'd be another gay indie tragedy and it would win all of the festival awards for the artistry and cinematography, and they'd be deserved. but that's never been my cup of tea.
loved the punk gay/nerd gay duo though, not gonna lie. this book wasn't what i expected, from start to finish, and it definitely got under my skin a time or two. while i never struggled with my sexuality as badly as any of the boys in this book do, i do feel for them all. i cared for them, even the one i couldn't stand. i'm sure that was the intention. for better or worse this is the kind of book that sticks with you.
i will say this would make a good movie. it'd be another gay indie tragedy and it would win all of the festival awards for the artistry and cinematography, and they'd be deserved. but that's never been my cup of tea.
loved the punk gay/nerd gay duo though, not gonna lie. this book wasn't what i expected, from start to finish, and it definitely got under my skin a time or two. while i never struggled with my sexuality as badly as any of the boys in this book do, i do feel for them all. i cared for them, even the one i couldn't stand. i'm sure that was the intention. for better or worse this is the kind of book that sticks with you.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes