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devanisrad's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
neenor's review
2.0
This is the second verse book I have read, and the first of which I have reviewed. I'm a keen supporter of LGBT rights, and I never turn down an opportunity to learn a bit more about the different situations people of the LGBT community have been through, fictional or otherwise. I've read a few novels centred around being transgender, and I'm honestly amazed at the strength these people have - how horribly they are judged, but how they still persevere to get what they know is right. Freakboy was an amazing story, and I'm just left in awe.
Freakboy is told from the point of view of three different characters - Brendan, Vanessa, and Angel. I thought this was brilliant of Clark, because each of the characters went through a different experience based around the same thing. Brendan is realising that he is, in fact, transgender, and a lot of his parts were about coming to terms with who he really was and learning to embrace it. Vanessa's parts were about learning that her boyfriend was transgender, and how she learnt to cope with it. Finally, Angel's part was told from the point of view of someone who had long ago realised they were transgender, and how her life had changed so drastically because of it. In Freakboy you got all sides of the story, and I was surprised to find that I could sympathise with each of the three characters. Nothing any of them went through was easy, and I admired their strength and perseverance.
I have to say that although I liked the direction it was going in, I didn't enjoy reading in verse. There is so much that can be said on this subject, and although the verse captured it nicely, I wanted more - I wanted to know more about Brendan, wanted to see him get help and finally become comfortable in his skin; I wanted to know Vanessa and Brendan's ending; I wanted to see if Angel got her happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, I didn't really get any of those things. I admire what Clark did, but I think I'm going to stick to novels from now on.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable read. Maybe I didn't like the format, but that didn't detract from its beautiful writing. Freakboy is a novel that will stay with you for a long time afterwards.
Freakboy is told from the point of view of three different characters - Brendan, Vanessa, and Angel. I thought this was brilliant of Clark, because each of the characters went through a different experience based around the same thing. Brendan is realising that he is, in fact, transgender, and a lot of his parts were about coming to terms with who he really was and learning to embrace it. Vanessa's parts were about learning that her boyfriend was transgender, and how she learnt to cope with it. Finally, Angel's part was told from the point of view of someone who had long ago realised they were transgender, and how her life had changed so drastically because of it. In Freakboy you got all sides of the story, and I was surprised to find that I could sympathise with each of the three characters. Nothing any of them went through was easy, and I admired their strength and perseverance.
I have to say that although I liked the direction it was going in, I didn't enjoy reading in verse. There is so much that can be said on this subject, and although the verse captured it nicely, I wanted more - I wanted to know more about Brendan, wanted to see him get help and finally become comfortable in his skin; I wanted to know Vanessa and Brendan's ending; I wanted to see if Angel got her happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, I didn't really get any of those things. I admire what Clark did, but I think I'm going to stick to novels from now on.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable read. Maybe I didn't like the format, but that didn't detract from its beautiful writing. Freakboy is a novel that will stay with you for a long time afterwards.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
I've said this before: books in verse don't really do it for me. Still, I did get through this despite the format (and when I say format, I'm not just talking about the verse but also that it was often in shapes, or with italics that spell out an additional message).
Plot-wise it was mixed. Angel is the strongest character, Vanessa the weakest. Brendan's confusion about who/what he is or could be is poorly served by the format. Instead of a continuous internal monologue and reaction, getting a fuller picture of him and his questioning would have been far stronger.
As an addition to the GLBTQC* collection, this is not as strong as, say, I Am J but it wouldn't be a bad buy.
Plot-wise it was mixed. Angel is the strongest character, Vanessa the weakest. Brendan's confusion about who/what he is or could be is poorly served by the format. Instead of a continuous internal monologue and reaction, getting a fuller picture of him and his questioning would have been far stronger.
As an addition to the GLBTQC* collection, this is not as strong as, say, I Am J but it wouldn't be a bad buy.
justineduhart's review against another edition
3.0
3,5/5 ?
This book was really addicting and it is nothing like what I've ever read before. Written in verse, dealing with transsexuality and transgender. If the latter was super interesting and captivating and heartwrenching, I'm not sure about the format or the main character. Some lines are very powerful and beautifully written. Some citations are even written as to draw something important and in correlation to the text - so style and content were quite coherent at different times in the novel.
But sometimes, the verse format was just plain and not that impressive. Yes, it's a debut novel and yes it was quite a challenge and it was definitely a freaking brave move. And since I haven't read that much poetry in my life, I don't have decent knowledge in that area to say anything bad about this aspect.
What really bothers me? The main character's selfishness. His selfishness towards his girlfriend. To be honest, it must be the only thing that really angered me but it was enough. And also, the story dragged out because of him and his egoistical behavior. At least a 100 pages irritated me and I'm so pissed about it because this book is really good (it's the first I read about transgender and transsexuality and I do want to read more now) but Brendan is a character I cannot understand - and it's definitely not because of the doubts he has on his identity (though his questions and complains do get old towards the end).
It's a really intricate and complicated and emotional story and I cried quite a few times. Even for Brendan. But as I say, the storyline isn't enough. Characters have to be great and Brendan was an asshole (but at least he knows it...). I definitely felt sorry for Vanessa and I really liked Angel.
So 3,5/5 because there were flaws and meh aspects but overall I did really like this book!
This book was really addicting and it is nothing like what I've ever read before. Written in verse, dealing with transsexuality and transgender. If the latter was super interesting and captivating and heartwrenching, I'm not sure about the format or the main character. Some lines are very powerful and beautifully written. Some citations are even written as to draw something important and in correlation to the text - so style and content were quite coherent at different times in the novel.
But sometimes, the verse format was just plain and not that impressive. Yes, it's a debut novel and yes it was quite a challenge and it was definitely a freaking brave move. And since I haven't read that much poetry in my life, I don't have decent knowledge in that area to say anything bad about this aspect.
What really bothers me? The main character's selfishness. His selfishness towards his girlfriend. To be honest, it must be the only thing that really angered me but it was enough. And also, the story dragged out because of him and his egoistical behavior. At least a 100 pages irritated me and I'm so pissed about it because this book is really good (it's the first I read about transgender and transsexuality and I do want to read more now) but Brendan is a character I cannot understand - and it's definitely not because of the doubts he has on his identity (though his questions and complains do get old towards the end).
It's a really intricate and complicated and emotional story and I cried quite a few times. Even for Brendan. But as I say, the storyline isn't enough. Characters have to be great and Brendan was an asshole (but at least he knows it...). I definitely felt sorry for Vanessa and I really liked Angel.
So 3,5/5 because there were flaws and meh aspects but overall I did really like this book!
melodierhae's review against another edition
5.0
This story isn’t perfect, but the reality is that being on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum ISNT perfect. It isn’t neat. It changes relationship.
This story hurt my heart. Clark writes three lovely humans who are struggling, scared, reactions, friendly and loving. You want happiness for all three. What you get is honestly the second-best thing that could happen to some of them (and the best for Angel! My grinch heart grew three sizes!)
Vanessa’s response is real. She considers how she feels about women and realizes that to allow Brendan to be Brendan will mean a sexual identity that she doesn’t relate to. I think her careful consideration was necessary and promising. Hell, if the story were to continue and Brendan isn’t completely MTF but on a spectrum, it’s highly possible she would consider resuming a romantic relationship. We don’t know that, sure. But it seemed to me like Vanessa valued any sort of possible relationship with Brendan, and ultimately that kind of support is invaluable.
I won’t speak for others- but for my genderqueer loved ones, this is a fairly accurate story written from a cis perspective. I hope it helps break open the barriers for MORE queer fiction and paved safe roads for more diverse authors.
This story hurt my heart. Clark writes three lovely humans who are struggling, scared, reactions, friendly and loving. You want happiness for all three. What you get is honestly the second-best thing that could happen to some of them (and the best for Angel! My grinch heart grew three sizes!)
Vanessa’s response is real. She considers how she feels about women and realizes that to allow Brendan to be Brendan will mean a sexual identity that she doesn’t relate to. I think her careful consideration was necessary and promising. Hell, if the story were to continue and Brendan isn’t completely MTF but on a spectrum, it’s highly possible she would consider resuming a romantic relationship. We don’t know that, sure. But it seemed to me like Vanessa valued any sort of possible relationship with Brendan, and ultimately that kind of support is invaluable.
I won’t speak for others- but for my genderqueer loved ones, this is a fairly accurate story written from a cis perspective. I hope it helps break open the barriers for MORE queer fiction and paved safe roads for more diverse authors.
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
4.0
This was not the best book that I have ever read but I really enjoyed it because the story was amazing. I could not not put it down. My first book in verse and my first book about transgender people. I loved it! :)
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krissyronan's review against another edition
4.0
Very insightful novel-in-verse. A student suggested it as an authentic depiction of a transgendered teen. I enjoyed it and will definitely be suggesting it to kids who are interested in learning more about questioning gender identity.
mrsimboden's review against another edition
5.0
Written in poems from the points of view of three different characters: a questioning young man, his girlfriend and a trans woman who works at an LGBTQ center. I like that the author points out that she's telling A trans story, not THE trans story. The stories are as varied as the gender identities that exist. Easy read for anyone who wants to know more about the T.
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars
While I think these types of books are very important, I didn't particularly like this one. I felt the characters were too stereotypical and flat. I didn't enjoy reading Vanessa's parts especially - I wish she had more depth to her. Brendan's parts were interesting seeing his struggles with his identity. My favorite was Angel but found parts of her character to be very stereotypical. Though the main focus was on Brendan, I would have loved a story just about Angel. The book being told in verse will appeal to Ellen Hopkin's fans (the author states in the acknowledgements that she even asked Hopkins to write a gender-variant novel). I didn't mind this form but the sections where they formed shapes were a little hard to read and didn't add to the story.
While I think these types of books are very important, I didn't particularly like this one. I felt the characters were too stereotypical and flat. I didn't enjoy reading Vanessa's parts especially - I wish she had more depth to her. Brendan's parts were interesting seeing his struggles with his identity. My favorite was Angel but found parts of her character to be very stereotypical. Though the main focus was on Brendan, I would have loved a story just about Angel. The book being told in verse will appeal to Ellen Hopkin's fans (the author states in the acknowledgements that she even asked Hopkins to write a gender-variant novel). I didn't mind this form but the sections where they formed shapes were a little hard to read and didn't add to the story.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
3.0
2.5ish.
Brendan is a wrestler. He's got a great girlfriend named Vanessa. But that's where all of the "good" in his life really ends. Brendan's family life isn't stable, and Brendan doesn't know if he's entirely sure of who he is. He's questioning his sexuality -- even though Vanessa is great, he's wondering: am I really in the right body?
Vanessa loves Brendan, but she's about to find out that, while he loves her, he doesn't know if she's the right match because he doesn't know what it is he wants or needs.
Then there's Angel, who works at the local safe center. Where kids and teens who need a place to be themselves -- a place where they're accepted for whoever it is they need to be -- can feel safe. Oh and Angel is trans.
One night, after a fit of rage, Brendan throws a rock at the safe center's window. Breaks it. Angel and the others who find this a safe space no longer do. Because it seems like someone is targeting them. Except, of course, that's not the case. Brendan will eventually admit to this, and Angel will become Brendan's biggest ally as he questions who it is he is and who it is he wants to be.
This is a gritty novel in verse and will have mega appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins. The styles are similar and there's no flinching in content. All of these kids have it hard, and they're all struggling. It's not just a story about sexuality, though that plays a large role in the story. There's also broken families, tough school situations when it comes to peers and peer pressure, the challenges of romance, and more.
That said, the verse didn't give me enough depth into the story and I wanted more. It worked for Brendan's questioning, for sure, but I wanted more. It wasn't until the final 1/4 of the book that all of the pieces came together but it was that final 1/4 that made me want to know all of these characters a lot better, particularly Vanessa and Angel, who take second seats to Brendan.
I don't think this trans novel is as strong as some of the others I've read, but it is a hugely welcome addition and I think it will find a nice readership.
Brendan is a wrestler. He's got a great girlfriend named Vanessa. But that's where all of the "good" in his life really ends. Brendan's family life isn't stable, and Brendan doesn't know if he's entirely sure of who he is. He's questioning his sexuality -- even though Vanessa is great, he's wondering: am I really in the right body?
Vanessa loves Brendan, but she's about to find out that, while he loves her, he doesn't know if she's the right match because he doesn't know what it is he wants or needs.
Then there's Angel, who works at the local safe center. Where kids and teens who need a place to be themselves -- a place where they're accepted for whoever it is they need to be -- can feel safe. Oh and Angel is trans.
One night, after a fit of rage, Brendan throws a rock at the safe center's window. Breaks it. Angel and the others who find this a safe space no longer do. Because it seems like someone is targeting them. Except, of course, that's not the case. Brendan will eventually admit to this, and Angel will become Brendan's biggest ally as he questions who it is he is and who it is he wants to be.
This is a gritty novel in verse and will have mega appeal to fans of Ellen Hopkins. The styles are similar and there's no flinching in content. All of these kids have it hard, and they're all struggling. It's not just a story about sexuality, though that plays a large role in the story. There's also broken families, tough school situations when it comes to peers and peer pressure, the challenges of romance, and more.
That said, the verse didn't give me enough depth into the story and I wanted more. It worked for Brendan's questioning, for sure, but I wanted more. It wasn't until the final 1/4 of the book that all of the pieces came together but it was that final 1/4 that made me want to know all of these characters a lot better, particularly Vanessa and Angel, who take second seats to Brendan.
I don't think this trans novel is as strong as some of the others I've read, but it is a hugely welcome addition and I think it will find a nice readership.