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derhindemith's review against another edition
3.0
A cute coming-of-age story about an Indian boy in Ohio.
magarwal1029's review against another edition
5.0
A quirky book that every one who felt out of place growing up in a mostly homogeneous America can relate to.
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
Blue Boy is a beautifully written, bittersweet story about an Indian-American adolescent growing up in Ohio, discovering how different he is from everyone around him. I was drawn to this book because the name of the main character, Kiran, is similar to the name of one of my sons (Kieran).
Kiran is a highly artistic, creative, and spiritual child. He is drawn to pink, dressing up, makeup, Strawberry Shortcake, and the finer things in life. He has an amazing sense of self in spite of the ridicule and scorn he is subject to from the Indian community, his classmates, and even his parents.
While reading the book, many times I cringed and thought to myself, "he's not really going to do that, is he???" But he did!
The author graduated from Princeton's creative writing program, and some of the story is based in his own life and experience. (I thought it was interesting that I happened to read a book by a Princeton graduate right on the heels of "Admission," the novel about the admissions process at Princeton.)
These final sentences, in the Q&A with the author at the end of the book, when he is asked what he would like people to take away from the book, summarize this book well:
"Most importantly, I want them to have laughed good-heartedly. And I want them to have seen the world somewhat differently--to understand how hard childhood can be for the culturally and sexually marginalized but also how such isolation affords a child a very strong sense of self."
As someone who enjoys reading about different cultures and different ways of seeing the world--and also as the mother of sons, this was a satisfying read.
Kiran is a highly artistic, creative, and spiritual child. He is drawn to pink, dressing up, makeup, Strawberry Shortcake, and the finer things in life. He has an amazing sense of self in spite of the ridicule and scorn he is subject to from the Indian community, his classmates, and even his parents.
While reading the book, many times I cringed and thought to myself, "he's not really going to do that, is he???" But he did!
The author graduated from Princeton's creative writing program, and some of the story is based in his own life and experience. (I thought it was interesting that I happened to read a book by a Princeton graduate right on the heels of "Admission," the novel about the admissions process at Princeton.)
These final sentences, in the Q&A with the author at the end of the book, when he is asked what he would like people to take away from the book, summarize this book well:
"Most importantly, I want them to have laughed good-heartedly. And I want them to have seen the world somewhat differently--to understand how hard childhood can be for the culturally and sexually marginalized but also how such isolation affords a child a very strong sense of self."
As someone who enjoys reading about different cultures and different ways of seeing the world--and also as the mother of sons, this was a satisfying read.
soniakarina's review against another edition
4.0
This is a coming of age story about a young Indian boy, struggling to find his place in middle America. He doesn't fit in with the Indian kids that attend his temple, and he doesn't fit in with the American kids at school.
In truth, he doesn't fit in anywhere, because he is just so different. Not only does he have a wild imagination, but he is also beginning to wrestle with questions about his sexuality.
I have to be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I couldn't put it down. Kiran (the 12 year old protagonist) is the sort of character that you can't help but want to know more about. I found myself both fascinated and cringing as he went through his adventures and trials and tribulations.
Be warned, there are moments in this book that are very graphic and uncomfortable to read.
But overall, I really enjoyed this story of a young boy, an outsider, trying to find his place in his world...
In truth, he doesn't fit in anywhere, because he is just so different. Not only does he have a wild imagination, but he is also beginning to wrestle with questions about his sexuality.
I have to be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I couldn't put it down. Kiran (the 12 year old protagonist) is the sort of character that you can't help but want to know more about. I found myself both fascinated and cringing as he went through his adventures and trials and tribulations.
Be warned, there are moments in this book that are very graphic and uncomfortable to read.
But overall, I really enjoyed this story of a young boy, an outsider, trying to find his place in his world...
scrow1022's review against another edition
5.0
So rich and good. And funny! So many sentences I wanted to underline, write out, wrap around me. Inspiring and a way of thinking about being different I haven't seen before but want to embrace.
kmerms's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
3.75
rita_reads_cda's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.75
Loved it
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
4.0
Kiran feels dislocated everywhere: both in his elementary school among his white classmates, and at temple and parties among other Indian-Americans. At only 12, he's precociously clever and imaginative, but very isolated. He enjoys ballet, playing with make-up and dolls, and singing and performing. Eventually, he decides he's not the freak other kids think he is: he's actually a mortal reincarnation of the god Krishna.
I really enjoyed this book, though it's a flawed narrative. Kiran's engagement with Hinduism, beauty, performance and spirituality are all beautifully explored. This book is also unflinching in its look at pre-adolescent sexuality, and Kiran's obsession with male and female bodies. It's also heartbreaking at times when Kiran is bullied and feels like his sexuality and gender expression make him unworthy of being part of society. This is told in first person, and Kiran's narrative voice is often very funny and interesting, but does not feel at all like a 12-year-old. This disconnect between the age of the narrator and the maturity of his voice felt very jarring at times. The plot also bags in places, and I think a tighter narrative would have improved this novel. That being said, the emotional impact of this book more than makes up for its flaws, and I found the last few paragraphs both beautifully expressed and deeply moving. I'm consistently cheering Kiran on throughout, and his tenacity as a character makes this narrative hopeful, and makes the reader believe Kiran will find happiness in the end.
I really enjoyed this book, though it's a flawed narrative. Kiran's engagement with Hinduism, beauty, performance and spirituality are all beautifully explored. This book is also unflinching in its look at pre-adolescent sexuality, and Kiran's obsession with male and female bodies. It's also heartbreaking at times when Kiran is bullied and feels like his sexuality and gender expression make him unworthy of being part of society. This is told in first person, and Kiran's narrative voice is often very funny and interesting, but does not feel at all like a 12-year-old. This disconnect between the age of the narrator and the maturity of his voice felt very jarring at times. The plot also bags in places, and I think a tighter narrative would have improved this novel. That being said, the emotional impact of this book more than makes up for its flaws, and I found the last few paragraphs both beautifully expressed and deeply moving. I'm consistently cheering Kiran on throughout, and his tenacity as a character makes this narrative hopeful, and makes the reader believe Kiran will find happiness in the end.
bexi's review against another edition
I like this so far but I'm having a hard time focusing on the audiobook for some reason. I think I'll have to read this one with my own eyes.