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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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:
Complicated
An incredible and important book. Three teenage boys (and eventually another one introduced later) who all live in a small rural town are struggling to come to terms with their sexuality in a homophobic town.
This book deals with important topics such as internalised homophobia, depression, homophobia and toxic masculinity. This story felt too real and I was really invested in the storyline. I’m sad that even though this book is fiction, the scenarios in the story have happened and are still happening today and it pisses me off that people are being treated differently due to their sexuality.
The simple writing made it easy to transition between the different POVs of the teenage boys. I liked the flow on how the four main teenage boys eventually became intertwined with one another. I was surprised how quickly I finished this book and would recommend others to read!
“Everyone needs a way to release the pressure, and I’m no different. The brighter you shine on the outside, the darker you burn within.”
This book deals with important topics such as internalised homophobia, depression, homophobia and toxic masculinity. This story felt too real and I was really invested in the storyline. I’m sad that even though this book is fiction, the scenarios in the story have happened and are still happening today and it pisses me off that people are being treated differently due to their sexuality.
The simple writing made it easy to transition between the different POVs of the teenage boys. I liked the flow on how the four main teenage boys eventually became intertwined with one another. I was surprised how quickly I finished this book and would recommend others to read!
“Everyone needs a way to release the pressure, and I’m no different. The brighter you shine on the outside, the darker you burn within.”
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was raw. From the first letterbomb I knew this would be tough. And it did make me sob in the end.
I can't write about giving too much away but basically this is about the hellscape that is being gay in small town Australia. It's rough and unfair.
Really captured the different protagonists struggle with their sexuality in true heartwrenching detail. Never thought that someone using xo could have so much heartbreaking meaning
I can't write about giving too much away but basically this is about the hellscape that is being gay in small town Australia. It's rough and unfair.
Really captured the different protagonists struggle with their sexuality in true heartwrenching detail. Never thought that someone using xo could have so much heartbreaking meaning
A powerful story that I want to return to. Panic attacks/anxiety was described so well. Too well, because I found myself feeling anxious as I read!
Putting this on hold might come back later. The writing is amazing, the audiobook is great but my brain can't take in all this at the moment.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Suicide, Outing
Minor: Self harm
Wow.
I'd seen this book floating around on my local library's shelves, but I didn't think much of it at first until I kept heard it getting brought up with queer book enthusiasts.
Firstly, I'm surprised it's by a Gero author.
Secondly, I'm surprised how much of a punch it packs.
While I've got family in Geraldton, I don't often go up that way. However, I'd love my best friend to read it, as she's Gtown born and bred, and it'd be awesome to get her input. But from my jaunts up that way, I was able to pinpoint locations (HJs! Woorree! Bluff Point!), which felt like I was in with the cool kids.
From the start, I had a feeling it wouldn't end happily. Charlie leads a miserable existence, and I really wanted the poor kid to be given a break. Everything keeps getting worse and worse for him, and he really needed a hand. Sure, it's offered to him a few times, with counselling and the sort, and he repeatedly rebuffs it... but if he had an adult in his life who really spoke to him on his level, maybe it wouldn't have been so hard.
I had a feeling it was Matt writing the letters from about the second or third one. While I'm saddened his story ended the way it did- and in the manner it did- it wasn't a surprise.
Zeke really made that impulsive a decision, huh? His parents did feel a little one dimensional, and I thought Robbie and Natalie might have given him a little loving support, but I think there needed to be a real push for him to run off. Given how important school was for him, I'm surprised he was willing to throw it all away, but... well, his father did punch him.
As sad as it is, Hammer's ending makes the most sense. With any luck he won't feel compelled to stay in the closet forever. Maybe he gets drafted, maybe he doesn't, but hopefully he grows and develops some confidence in himself. I can buy him saying he feels it's a choice, that he's not gay- he could very well be bi, and strongly leaning for me.
The book also does end in the middle of a scene. Maybe Zeke doesn't get on the bus. Maybe Hammer comes out to his brother. $2000 isn't a lot of money to get by in Perth. They're all under eighteen. But for all the Charlies and Zekes and Hammers in Geraldton: you deserve the greatest happiness.
I'd seen this book floating around on my local library's shelves, but I didn't think much of it at first until I kept heard it getting brought up with queer book enthusiasts.
Firstly, I'm surprised it's by a Gero author.
Secondly, I'm surprised how much of a punch it packs.
While I've got family in Geraldton, I don't often go up that way. However, I'd love my best friend to read it, as she's Gtown born and bred, and it'd be awesome to get her input. But from my jaunts up that way, I was able to pinpoint locations (HJs! Woorree! Bluff Point!), which felt like I was in with the cool kids.
From the start, I had a feeling it wouldn't end happily. Charlie leads a miserable existence, and I really wanted the poor kid to be given a break. Everything keeps getting worse and worse for him, and he really needed a hand. Sure, it's offered to him a few times, with counselling and the sort, and he repeatedly rebuffs it... but if he had an adult in his life who really spoke to him on his level, maybe it wouldn't have been so hard.
I had a feeling it was Matt writing the letters from about the second or third one. While I'm saddened his story ended the way it did- and in the manner it did- it wasn't a surprise.
Zeke really made that impulsive a decision, huh? His parents did feel a little one dimensional, and I thought Robbie and Natalie might have given him a little loving support, but I think there needed to be a real push for him to run off. Given how important school was for him, I'm surprised he was willing to throw it all away, but... well, his father did punch him.
As sad as it is, Hammer's ending makes the most sense. With any luck he won't feel compelled to stay in the closet forever. Maybe he gets drafted, maybe he doesn't, but hopefully he grows and develops some confidence in himself. I can buy him saying he feels it's a choice, that he's not gay- he could very well be bi, and strongly leaning for me.
The book also does end in the middle of a scene. Maybe Zeke doesn't get on the bus. Maybe Hammer comes out to his brother. $2000 isn't a lot of money to get by in Perth. They're all under eighteen. But for all the Charlies and Zekes and Hammers in Geraldton: you deserve the greatest happiness.