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izzyfizzy20's review
5.0
A book filled with surprises; so good, some sad. Certainly a book I will not forget.
meghan111's review against another edition
3.0
The cover of this is so unsuitable, and doesn't at all match the book inside. It's about a flamboyant gay teenager named Leonard who comes to live with his cousins in a small town. He's the type of boy who makes his own platform sneakers by gluing together the soles of a dozen pairs of flip-flops and who is thrilled with his new dingy basement 'room' made up of stacks of old boxes forming haphazard walls. In other words, he is determined to be who he is, and determined to be happy. Unlike [b:Boy Meets Boy|93723|Boy Meets Girl (Boy, #2)|Meg Cabot|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21WJSRCGN7L._SL75_.jpg|2425604], though, Leonard lives in the real world, and things take a tragic turn when he disappears.
kawarwick's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting but sad story. Leaves the reader with lots to discuss and compare to what is going on in the world right now.
kamckim's review against another edition
3.0
Nice story, but too many subplots. I will admit I couldn't put it down, but I also skimmed over paragraphs of detail and dialogue that didn't really seem to move the plot along. The story could have been half as long, and probably better had it been. I loved Leonard, though. I would be careful to recommend the book to younger YA readers because the subject matter is definitely mature--homophobia. It is however, a very realistic coming of age story for the narrator and protagonist, Phoebe. I would save this for ages 16 and up.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
3.0
Things I loved about this book: Leonard. He was a character that I will never forget. I also loved the title and how it really matched with my image of Leonard.
Things I disliked about this book: I like to think our world isn't as terrible a place as the author made it out to be. I also wish the author didn't feel forced to make Leonard disappear in order for the people to appreciate him (besides the old salon ladies). Additionally, this book was way too long. The author was trying to tackle too many social issues (relationships of different races, hate crimes, bullying, capital punishment, beauty, incest, divorce, domestic violence, PTSD/war).
There are two other very minor things I didn't like about this book: 1. I was disappointed that the author seemed to approach the choking game in a positive light. This is a deadly game that teens play, and there was no mention of the dangerous aspects of it. 2. I didn't like how the author mentioned briefly that community colleges were for losers. This bothered me a lot, particularly because it is the only option for some kids.
Things I disliked about this book: I like to think our world isn't as terrible a place as the author made it out to be. I also wish the author didn't feel forced to make Leonard disappear in order for the people to appreciate him (besides the old salon ladies). Additionally, this book was way too long. The author was trying to tackle too many social issues (relationships of different races, hate crimes, bullying, capital punishment, beauty, incest, divorce, domestic violence, PTSD/war).
There are two other very minor things I didn't like about this book: 1. I was disappointed that the author seemed to approach the choking game in a positive light. This is a deadly game that teens play, and there was no mention of the dangerous aspects of it. 2. I didn't like how the author mentioned briefly that community colleges were for losers. This bothered me a lot, particularly because it is the only option for some kids.
raeanne's review against another edition
2.0
Another #ARCAugust read complete!
For some reason, that I cannot imagine now, I thought Absolute Brightness would be different.
I may have been wrong about the main plot and outcome, but it was certainly heartbreaking. That's a win for the #ReadThemAllThon Cerulean City's Cascade Badge and I'm glad I finally read it but...
Well, you'll see. If you're willing to brave the spoilers below the fold. For non-spoiler-y glory, here's a preview:
Absolute Brightness is a story about Phoebe’s life briefly before Lenard moves in, the short time he lives with them, and after his disappearance. It’s about her, a straight white female growing up, discovering romance and different people.
It’s not really a book for gay teens, as it is for straight people. Leonard isn’t the protagonist. Phoebe grows up, becomes less homophobic but still has very gender-normative mentality. It’s a hand-holding exploring middle grade book for white straight people to experience knowing gay and black people without needing to know any.
It will be heart wrenching for QUILTBAG teens especially, seeing their identity attacked again and the see the best friend be self-centered, sheltered, clueless and callous. At first, she calls him sissy boy. While later she acknowledges how her language has changed because of Leonard, she doesn’t ever get him.
Phoebe tells Leonard to stop being himself, so ~flamboyant~ and obvious but he never comes out as gay. He says he’s only being himself, nothing more. This really comes into play towards the end when people are describing Leonard during the trial. They dance around labeling him because of this so they use words like flamboyant and different while Phoebe whips out ‘sissy boy’ again.
Leonard disappears because she didn’t fall under his spell like the rest of the town and she needed to learn a lesson. It’s a better use of the trope than Winger but it’s disheartening to read all the same.
I’m not saying stories like this shouldn’t be told, but if I’d know this going in I’d have been hesitant (at the least) instead of ecstatic. After all the high praise reviews and the non-spoiler reviews, I was expecting something else; Instead of the same old ‘stereotypical safe special snowflake gay that’s too good for this world’ as new tearful journey. I’m sure if my expectations matched the content, my experience would’ve been improved. Somehow.
It’s been 8 years since Absolute Brightness was published, but it feels more dated than that. We aren’t past media killing their gays, but there’s so much push back now. Would Absolute Brightness get a pass for being written by a gay activist today? Is there something I’m missing?
It makes me wonder if I read it years ago, would I feel the same way? Was I this clueless then? Absolutely possible. Probably. Absolutely. Fuuuuuuck.
Thankfully, that cannot be said today. But considering where you are is a good idea before delving in is a good idea so it’s not such a letdown.
Romance:
Phoebe’s romance is a strange thing. Their first kiss is in public, spur of the moment, the onetime Phoebe defends Leonard, and in defense of being called a lesbian. From there, nothing happens until his makeover and Phoebe needs help. It isn’t really thought of as a relationship until the end when the implications are made public. Yet that’s when it’s called love…
While it becomes plenty weird and gross and scary in the end, I loved Phoebe’s realizations. She grasps for something to hold on to, finding his hand to hold. Her internal turn of events rings true to me. And realizing she played him up in her mind, her feelings muddling her perception and thinking…ouch. That’s something I dealt with during my first relationship that turned abusive and haven’t read something that nails it so well before.
In the end…
We have a non-gender conforming teen who disappears for most of the book, a mystery with an obvious perpetrator and an unclear chain of events, arguments against the death penalty, child rape by a parental figure that’s dealt with by ignoring said figure and the victim not receiving help, an Iraq war vet coming home heralded as a hero then ignored and a romance with a perpetrator that’s mostly imaginary and called ‘love’.
None of the issues are really dealt with in a meaningful way. They are brought up, acknowledged, and swept away by the next problem. There isn’t a conclusion or follow through. How was the war vet’s family handling his return and disability? Is the rape victim going to get counseling? Why isn’t her family doing anything about her mental health issues? What was between Phoebe and her…make-out partner? What the hell happened that night?
Some will love it for being as messy and inconclusive as life while others will hate it. Not just the content, but the time skips and Phoebe’s train of thought. I liked the tangents about the characters to bring them alive and her voice. Except when she was being a clueless brat, but she’s sheltered, young, and learning at least.
For me, I was engrossed while reading and now don’t know what to think. I’m hardly satisfied but enjoyed reading it while it lasted. It’s a thick book, but it flew by quickly and felt much shorter.
Rating:
Ehhh.....For the writing and flow, for engrossing me despite it all, Absolute Brightness earns a falling, crashing 3.5 stars.
Everything else ranks it, at best, a two. And since I've stewed on it, 2 stars sounds and feels better.
I hope that makes sense because I have to go with my gut on this one.
If anyone has or wants to read a "too good for the world so kill your gays" tale, this is the best I've read so far.
Recommended For:
Recommending Absolute Brightness is hard because how straight people perceive the QUILTBAG community within and how preachy-shallow it becomes with the death penalty while ignoring child rape.
I think it could be a great introduction for middle-schoolers, especially in white areas, but this cannot be the end. If it is, they’re likely to be the unhelpful allies and continue terrible tropes and thinking while proclaiming otherwise.
If you’re in the right spot with the right expectations, I think Absolute Brightness could be a great world-expanding, emotional, thoughtful read.
But for me, it felt flat after finishing and even engrossed during the book, I was very aware of what I was reading.
Note: The author, James Lecesne, is a member of the GLBT+ community and activist. This review in no way, shape, or form disparages his identity or work. I applaud him for everything he has accomplished. This is just my honest reaction and feelings about Absolute Brightness. It’s nothing personal.
For some reason, that I cannot imagine now, I thought Absolute Brightness would be different.
I may have been wrong about the main plot and outcome, but it was certainly heartbreaking. That's a win for the #ReadThemAllThon Cerulean City's Cascade Badge and I'm glad I finally read it but...
Well, you'll see. If you're willing to brave the spoilers below the fold. For non-spoiler-y glory, here's a preview:
Absolute Brightness is a story about Phoebe’s life briefly before Lenard moves in, the short time he lives with them, and after his disappearance. It’s about her, a straight white female growing up, discovering romance and different people.
It’s not really a book for gay teens, as it is for straight people. Leonard isn’t the protagonist. Phoebe grows up, becomes less homophobic but still has very gender-normative mentality. It’s a hand-holding exploring middle grade book for white straight people to experience knowing gay and black people without needing to know any.
It will be heart wrenching for QUILTBAG teens especially, seeing their identity attacked again and the see the best friend be self-centered, sheltered, clueless and callous. At first, she calls him sissy boy. While later she acknowledges how her language has changed because of Leonard, she doesn’t ever get him.
Phoebe tells Leonard to stop being himself, so ~flamboyant~ and obvious but he never comes out as gay. He says he’s only being himself, nothing more. This really comes into play towards the end when people are describing Leonard during the trial. They dance around labeling him because of this so they use words like flamboyant and different while Phoebe whips out ‘sissy boy’ again.
Leonard disappears because she didn’t fall under his spell like the rest of the town and she needed to learn a lesson. It’s a better use of the trope than Winger but it’s disheartening to read all the same.
I’m not saying stories like this shouldn’t be told, but if I’d know this going in I’d have been hesitant (at the least) instead of ecstatic. After all the high praise reviews and the non-spoiler reviews, I was expecting something else; Instead of the same old ‘stereotypical safe special snowflake gay that’s too good for this world’ as new tearful journey. I’m sure if my expectations matched the content, my experience would’ve been improved. Somehow.
It’s been 8 years since Absolute Brightness was published, but it feels more dated than that. We aren’t past media killing their gays, but there’s so much push back now. Would Absolute Brightness get a pass for being written by a gay activist today? Is there something I’m missing?
It makes me wonder if I read it years ago, would I feel the same way? Was I this clueless then? Absolutely possible. Probably. Absolutely. Fuuuuuuck.
Thankfully, that cannot be said today. But considering where you are is a good idea before delving in is a good idea so it’s not such a letdown.
Romance:
Phoebe’s romance is a strange thing. Their first kiss is in public, spur of the moment, the onetime Phoebe defends Leonard, and in defense of being called a lesbian. From there, nothing happens until his makeover and Phoebe needs help. It isn’t really thought of as a relationship until the end when the implications are made public. Yet that’s when it’s called love…
While it becomes plenty weird and gross and scary in the end, I loved Phoebe’s realizations. She grasps for something to hold on to, finding his hand to hold. Her internal turn of events rings true to me. And realizing she played him up in her mind, her feelings muddling her perception and thinking…ouch. That’s something I dealt with during my first relationship that turned abusive and haven’t read something that nails it so well before.
In the end…
We have a non-gender conforming teen who disappears for most of the book, a mystery with an obvious perpetrator and an unclear chain of events, arguments against the death penalty, child rape by a parental figure that’s dealt with by ignoring said figure and the victim not receiving help, an Iraq war vet coming home heralded as a hero then ignored and a romance with a perpetrator that’s mostly imaginary and called ‘love’.
None of the issues are really dealt with in a meaningful way. They are brought up, acknowledged, and swept away by the next problem. There isn’t a conclusion or follow through. How was the war vet’s family handling his return and disability? Is the rape victim going to get counseling? Why isn’t her family doing anything about her mental health issues? What was between Phoebe and her…make-out partner? What the hell happened that night?
Some will love it for being as messy and inconclusive as life while others will hate it. Not just the content, but the time skips and Phoebe’s train of thought. I liked the tangents about the characters to bring them alive and her voice. Except when she was being a clueless brat, but she’s sheltered, young, and learning at least.
For me, I was engrossed while reading and now don’t know what to think. I’m hardly satisfied but enjoyed reading it while it lasted. It’s a thick book, but it flew by quickly and felt much shorter.
Rating:
Ehhh.....For the writing and flow, for engrossing me despite it all, Absolute Brightness earns a falling, crashing 3.5 stars.
Everything else ranks it, at best, a two. And since I've stewed on it, 2 stars sounds and feels better.
I hope that makes sense because I have to go with my gut on this one.
If anyone has or wants to read a "too good for the world so kill your gays" tale, this is the best I've read so far.
Recommended For:
Recommending Absolute Brightness is hard because how straight people perceive the QUILTBAG community within and how preachy-shallow it becomes with the death penalty while ignoring child rape.
I think it could be a great introduction for middle-schoolers, especially in white areas, but this cannot be the end. If it is, they’re likely to be the unhelpful allies and continue terrible tropes and thinking while proclaiming otherwise.
If you’re in the right spot with the right expectations, I think Absolute Brightness could be a great world-expanding, emotional, thoughtful read.
But for me, it felt flat after finishing and even engrossed during the book, I was very aware of what I was reading.
Note: The author, James Lecesne, is a member of the GLBT+ community and activist. This review in no way, shape, or form disparages his identity or work. I applaud him for everything he has accomplished. This is just my honest reaction and feelings about Absolute Brightness. It’s nothing personal.
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
phoebe is not wild about her cousin leonard. he appears from nowhere to live with her family, and disrupts her life with his enthusiasm, positivity, and rainbow platform sneakers. no matter how hard she tries to be indifferent to him- his flamboyant ways embarrass her- he sees the best in her, and loves her.
but just as quickly as he appears, he disappears without a trace. and phoebe finds out that her grudging attention was the best that leonard ever had, and tries to do better by him in his absence. namely by finding him.
there are many issues in this book- a great many- and without giving away any plot twists, i have to say that i don't think the part with phoebe's father was necessary. i also felt like lecesne made it difficult to get to know phoebe. i appreciate that he shows rather than telling, but i was frequently wondering why she did the things she did. still, the suspense is palpable and the book truly unique. teens might get more out of it than i did. recommended.
but just as quickly as he appears, he disappears without a trace. and phoebe finds out that her grudging attention was the best that leonard ever had, and tries to do better by him in his absence. namely by finding him.
there are many issues in this book- a great many- and without giving away any plot twists, i have to say that i don't think the part with phoebe's father was necessary. i also felt like lecesne made it difficult to get to know phoebe. i appreciate that he shows rather than telling, but i was frequently wondering why she did the things she did. still, the suspense is palpable and the book truly unique. teens might get more out of it than i did. recommended.
jyguybookjourney's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I didn't really like this book unfortunately. I feel like there was real potential but the characters didn't feel real to me. The pacing was a bit off. Big time jumps were a bit jarring (especially at times where I was interested). Constant over-explaining to try and paint a picture of what something or someone looked like or what the situation felt like. I didn't hate it, and again I feel like there's something there that's good, but overall I was not into this book; never truly got hooked. (Also, reading about the sexual desires of a ~14 year old girl was deeply uncomfortable no thank you take all those bits out for the love of God.)
caedocyon's review against another edition
2.0
Another book where the queer dies and it's an uplifting lesson for everybody else. Narrator not likeable. Just way too much crammed into this ridiculous thing.
It's pretty readable, which is why I'm giving it more than one star, but the plot is obnoxious.
It's pretty readable, which is why I'm giving it more than one star, but the plot is obnoxious.