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drakoulis's review
5.0
Another wonderful, hilarious and witty book by Simon James Green!
Gay Club is a bit different than Simon's previous YA novels. While books like Alex in Wonderland and Noah Can't Even have the main character's fluffy relationship front and center, in Gay Club , Barney's romantic interests are not the main drive of the story.
The story is about the road so far and the road ahead for LGBT people in schools, presented through the unexpected "opening" of Barney's school LGBT Society election to the entire student body.
Simon's trademark humor, sarcasm and hilarious teen shennanigans meet more serious topics like passive-agressive homophobia, schools catering to the screams of homophobic parents, invasion of privacy and virtue signalling.
The school election was hilarious, with all the petty backstabbings, intricate plans and grand gestures. The book perfectly captures the reality of politics, and not just school politics: it's all about controlling the narrative, spinning the story, affecting what the voters are feeling. Actual policies and plans take a backseat.
I loved the surprise cameo of a character from Noah Can't Even , and I cackled at Simon's subtle dig at "American gay teens on TV are fit and look 20", he couldn't have timed it better (the also British adaptation of Heartstopper is praised for avoiding this pitfall).
The story had its twists, and although it touched heavier topics than we're used to from Simon James Green books, it never became dark or sad; instead the characters use the obstacles to punch back harder, and fight with even more determination.
If you like gay rom-coms and dramas, you're gonna love Gay Club and all of Simon's books!
Gay Club is a bit different than Simon's previous YA novels. While books like Alex in Wonderland and Noah Can't Even have the main character's fluffy relationship front and center, in Gay Club , Barney's romantic interests are not the main drive of the story.
The story is about the road so far and the road ahead for LGBT people in schools, presented through the unexpected "opening" of Barney's school LGBT Society election to the entire student body.
Simon's trademark humor, sarcasm and hilarious teen shennanigans meet more serious topics like passive-agressive homophobia, schools catering to the screams of homophobic parents, invasion of privacy and virtue signalling.
The school election was hilarious, with all the petty backstabbings, intricate plans and grand gestures. The book perfectly captures the reality of politics, and not just school politics: it's all about controlling the narrative, spinning the story, affecting what the voters are feeling. Actual policies and plans take a backseat.
I loved the surprise cameo of a character from Noah Can't Even , and I cackled at Simon's subtle dig at "American gay teens on TV are fit and look 20", he couldn't have timed it better (the also British adaptation of Heartstopper is praised for avoiding this pitfall).
The story had its twists, and although it touched heavier topics than we're used to from Simon James Green books, it never became dark or sad; instead the characters use the obstacles to punch back harder, and fight with even more determination.
If you like gay rom-coms and dramas, you're gonna love Gay Club and all of Simon's books!
mehsi's review
DNF at 50-ish %. LORD, if this is how LGBT clubs are, I would never join one. I would feel so uncomfortable and unhappy. Constantly have to think about every word I say. Worry I may say something wrong. I would just want to join a club because of fellow people like me, not to campaign, fight, fundraise and all that. It was just so much, too much, and the characters also didn't help. Bronte especially can just fuck off. Sorry to say that, but holy crap, I didn't like her. But then again, Maya, George, Barney were also not that great. I kept trying again and again and again to like this story and there were fleeting moments, but for most I was just frustrated, bored, annoyed, wondering what the heck is wrong with people, and getting a bigger dislike for elections/politics.
theeuphoriczat's review
5.0
"Hoy gay do I need to be..."
.
I have to be very honest, this book blew me away and yes it was because I underestimated. I was wrong, I apologise. I thought it was gonna just be queer kids trying to be president of a LGBTQ+ Society which has just four members but it was a lot more than that.
We follow Barney who really wants to be the president of the society because he believes that he can bring about changes to the society. Just when he thinks he has two of the society members on his side, Bronte decides to run for president too. Only now, the voting is opened up to the whole school!
Bronte's dad is rich, she is popular and she is willing to pull any trick to win. Barney is going to have to step up and be visible if he wants to win. There is a bit of fake dating, online bullying and political manipulations. But even with all that, it might seem the school is going to pull a joke on the society.
I am trying not to spoil it. Just know that, there is a sex scandal, national embarrassment, betrayal, homophobia and most importantly solidarity.
One part stayed with me, and it is the part where Danny confronted Barney asking about how gay one needs to be to be a part of the society. Can't everyone just be in the society? Same way we assume everyone is straight, let's just assume everyone is queer. That way people don't need to force themselves to come out so as to join the club.
I really loved this book a lot.
.
I have to be very honest, this book blew me away and yes it was because I underestimated. I was wrong, I apologise. I thought it was gonna just be queer kids trying to be president of a LGBTQ+ Society which has just four members but it was a lot more than that.
We follow Barney who really wants to be the president of the society because he believes that he can bring about changes to the society. Just when he thinks he has two of the society members on his side, Bronte decides to run for president too. Only now, the voting is opened up to the whole school!
Bronte's dad is rich, she is popular and she is willing to pull any trick to win. Barney is going to have to step up and be visible if he wants to win. There is a bit of fake dating, online bullying and political manipulations. But even with all that, it might seem the school is going to pull a joke on the society.
I am trying not to spoil it. Just know that, there is a sex scandal, national embarrassment, betrayal, homophobia and most importantly solidarity.
One part stayed with me, and it is the part where Danny confronted Barney asking about how gay one needs to be to be a part of the society. Can't everyone just be in the society? Same way we assume everyone is straight, let's just assume everyone is queer. That way people don't need to force themselves to come out so as to join the club.
I really loved this book a lot.
eleonora_fr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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? No
5.0
mariayoffreda's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
robyynnhill's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.75
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN WHAT JOY OMG
only drops a tiny sliver of a heart because GOSH the teen-drama-moment-where-everything-falls-apart-just-before-it-gets-better-at-the-end KILLED ME it was too much i put my head in the book
but i still loved it much fun and GAY (and slagging off terf authors yay xoxo)
only drops a tiny sliver of a heart because GOSH the teen-drama-moment-where-everything-falls-apart-just-before-it-gets-better-at-the-end KILLED ME it was too much i put my head in the book
but i still loved it much fun and GAY (and slagging off terf authors yay xoxo)
allrianne's review
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
charli3_b's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Bullying, and Homophobia