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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
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.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard is a YA novel about three gay teenage boys in Geraldton WA and the consequences of one of the boys’ forced ‘outing’.
This is YA done right. Complex characters and a layered plot with first person narratives that actually sound like teenagers. Three very distinct narrative voices, which is an even bigger achievement really - all three boys are believable and well written. Interestingly all three characters are essentially a standard stereotype- Hammer is the brainless footy jock, Zeke is a nerd and Charlie is a rebellious punk rocker. In the hands of another author, this could have easily fallen into eye roll territory. Sheppard knows people though, and he fleshes out these characters and gives them remarkable depth, while still nodding at the idea that yes, some cliches and stereotypes can also be rooted in truth.
The novel isn’t just about sexuality though, we also get to explore the oppressiveness of small town culture, the unrelenting force of toxic masculinity and the hypocrisy and cruelty inherent in old school Catholicism and religion.
All three boys make stupid decision sometimes but emanating from these pages is empathy for them and all their faults. Their families are treated with a little less compassion but also a lot of authenticity.
Zeke’s family are Sicilian Catholics, so he is wedged in between family and cultural expectations on one hand, and the force of the Catholic Church on the other. Nowhere in that space is there anyone who wants him to be himself.
Charlie is the son of a selfish, emotionally deficient Centrelink bludger who cheats on his father and ends up lumping him with a waste of space stepfather. This is a kid who is inherently sweet, but is left to raise himself.
And finally, Hammer is the boy that has been so moulded by toxic masculinity that there is barely any of his true self left. His dad is the type that encourages him to sew his wild oats freely and without any respect for women, and he is convinced that he can choose his sexuality at whim. There isn’t quite enough going on behind his pretty face for him to ever truly break free either.
The book is critical of the ignorance that causes homophobia, but at the same time shows us how these people are made, mostly through the character of Hammer. The boys are not the only people in the novel hiding their true selves - everyone else has also been made and moulded as well. We see this with the side characters, like Zeke’s brother Robbie. For Zeke, he represents everything his parents wish he could be, but we have no idea of his his own struggles, if he felt the pressure to be a certain way. Everyone is a victim of toxicity, even the perpetrators.
Overall this is a really masterfully written, raw, authentic exploration of growing up different in a place that fears difference.
This is YA done right. Complex characters and a layered plot with first person narratives that actually sound like teenagers. Three very distinct narrative voices, which is an even bigger achievement really - all three boys are believable and well written. Interestingly all three characters are essentially a standard stereotype- Hammer is the brainless footy jock, Zeke is a nerd and Charlie is a rebellious punk rocker. In the hands of another author, this could have easily fallen into eye roll territory. Sheppard knows people though, and he fleshes out these characters and gives them remarkable depth, while still nodding at the idea that yes, some cliches and stereotypes can also be rooted in truth.
The novel isn’t just about sexuality though, we also get to explore the oppressiveness of small town culture, the unrelenting force of toxic masculinity and the hypocrisy and cruelty inherent in old school Catholicism and religion.
All three boys make stupid decision sometimes but emanating from these pages is empathy for them and all their faults. Their families are treated with a little less compassion but also a lot of authenticity.
Zeke’s family are Sicilian Catholics, so he is wedged in between family and cultural expectations on one hand, and the force of the Catholic Church on the other. Nowhere in that space is there anyone who wants him to be himself.
Charlie is the son of a selfish, emotionally deficient Centrelink bludger who cheats on his father and ends up lumping him with a waste of space stepfather. This is a kid who is inherently sweet, but is left to raise himself.
And finally, Hammer is the boy that has been so moulded by toxic masculinity that there is barely any of his true self left. His dad is the type that encourages him to sew his wild oats freely and without any respect for women, and he is convinced that he can choose his sexuality at whim. There isn’t quite enough going on behind his pretty face for him to ever truly break free either.
The book is critical of the ignorance that causes homophobia, but at the same time shows us how these people are made, mostly through the character of Hammer. The boys are not the only people in the novel hiding their true selves - everyone else has also been made and moulded as well. We see this with the side characters, like Zeke’s brother Robbie. For Zeke, he represents everything his parents wish he could be, but we have no idea of his his own struggles, if he felt the pressure to be a certain way. Everyone is a victim of toxicity, even the perpetrators.
Overall this is a really masterfully written, raw, authentic exploration of growing up different in a place that fears difference.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like how the book was structured into 3 different stories that come together. It’s very different from other YA queer novels as it is more raw and darker but at the same time it’s realistic and portrays some of the difficulties that come with being gay in close minded societies.
challenging
dark
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Outing, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Self harm, Toxic relationship
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I’m never sure how to rate books like this… This is in so many ways an excellent contemporary YA book about coming out, and coming of age, as a gay teen boy in smalltown Australia. The writing is compelling and gripping; I binged the whole book without a break.
But I’m not sure what to do with the profound anti-femininity, sexist, misogynistic toxic masculinity that fuels the homophobia these boys face. In some ways I’m glad there was such an honest portrayal of cultural beliefs, but I wish there was even a small counterpoint to provide a little balance in the story. I wonder if an amab queer teen, who didn’t so easily pass as straight, as the characters in this book, would perhaps feel alienated/ rejected by this story……? I’d love to read others’ opinions on all of this….
I will finish be saying I would have loooooooved this book if I had read it as a teen. The big feelings, the passions, and the rages of these boys would have completely captured my heart. Highly recommended, but if it’s for a teen, I would also recommend having a talk about all the anti-femininity and misogyny.
But I’m not sure what to do with the profound anti-femininity, sexist, misogynistic toxic masculinity that fuels the homophobia these boys face. In some ways I’m glad there was such an honest portrayal of cultural beliefs, but I wish there was even a small counterpoint to provide a little balance in the story. I wonder if an amab queer teen, who didn’t so easily pass as straight, as the characters in this book, would perhaps feel alienated/ rejected by this story……? I’d love to read others’ opinions on all of this….
I will finish be saying I would have loooooooved this book if I had read it as a teen. The big feelings, the passions, and the rages of these boys would have completely captured my heart. Highly recommended, but if it’s for a teen, I would also recommend having a talk about all the anti-femininity and misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail