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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
“If I had a spirit, I felt it fly out of me then. And if Brian had a spirit, it flew hand in hand with mine, lifting above the couch, passing through the roof, hovering in the black and measureless air that blanketed the house where Coach once lived.”
The Gregg Araki movie is a masterpiece, and the book is wonderful too in a sometimes clumsy but always earnest way. When I think of books about gay men’s trauma, this book and A Little Life come to mind, but unlike ALL, which felt agonizing at times, this book was a warm hug, a balm for old wounds, and an articulation of the strange intricacies of queerness and child sexual abuse. I am so grateful it and Araki’s film exist!
The Gregg Araki movie is a masterpiece, and the book is wonderful too in a sometimes clumsy but always earnest way. When I think of books about gay men’s trauma, this book and A Little Life come to mind, but unlike ALL, which felt agonizing at times, this book was a warm hug, a balm for old wounds, and an articulation of the strange intricacies of queerness and child sexual abuse. I am so grateful it and Araki’s film exist!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The original concept: Great, interesting, compelling.
The execution: Awful, meaningless, bland.
I have been wanting to read this for years now, and to say I am disappointed would be a severe understatement!!! This book could have accomplished so much—it could've explored the complexity of manipulative relationships, the identity of those who experience dissociation in the event of trauma, or even the constant struggle to cope after prolonged childhood abuse, and the grief that comes with it.
Unfortunately, in the 290+ pages this book consists of, these topics are merely scratched at, when they should've been gouged at with a knife.
Scott Heim instead uses the novel's intricate concept to showcase three things:
1. A boy conducting an elaborate investigation into the world of aliens and UFOs for 80% of the novel, with little to no mention of his traumatic past (except when it is convenient for the plot).
2. A different boy having explicit sex with random men and sometimes thinking fondly about his abuser (but only when it is convenient for the plot).
3. A lot of meaningless events happening in the background of the story, to bulk out the page count of this novel instead of actually filling it with thought-provoking conversations that should be had when dealing with problematic and complex themes.
Not to mention, the prose just left something to be desired. The dialogue suffered especially. I watched the 2004 film adaptation of Mysterious Skin after I read it, and it really just highlighted how awkward and unrealistic most of the character interactions were.
I wish this story actually had the two main characters interacting long before the last couple chapters. When those two got into contact, it seemed that this book finally started to leap off the ground—finally started to really delve into the topics this story revolved around. I thought "yeah, this is what we've all been waiting for!" But it sadly ended there, frustratingly abrupt in the grand scheme of things.
The execution: Awful, meaningless, bland.
I have been wanting to read this for years now, and to say I am disappointed would be a severe understatement!!! This book could have accomplished so much—it could've explored the complexity of manipulative relationships, the identity of those who experience dissociation in the event of trauma, or even the constant struggle to cope after prolonged childhood abuse, and the grief that comes with it.
Unfortunately, in the 290+ pages this book consists of, these topics are merely scratched at, when they should've been gouged at with a knife.
Scott Heim instead uses the novel's intricate concept to showcase three things:
1. A boy conducting an elaborate investigation into the world of aliens and UFOs for 80% of the novel, with little to no mention of his traumatic past (except when it is convenient for the plot).
2. A different boy having explicit sex with random men and sometimes thinking fondly about his abuser (but only when it is convenient for the plot).
3. A lot of meaningless events happening in the background of the story, to bulk out the page count of this novel instead of actually filling it with thought-provoking conversations that should be had when dealing with problematic and complex themes.
Not to mention, the prose just left something to be desired. The dialogue suffered especially. I watched the 2004 film adaptation of Mysterious Skin after I read it, and it really just highlighted how awkward and unrealistic most of the character interactions were.
I wish this story actually had the two main characters interacting long before the last couple chapters. When those two got into contact, it seemed that this book finally started to leap off the ground—finally started to really delve into the topics this story revolved around. I thought "yeah, this is what we've all been waiting for!" But it sadly ended there, frustratingly abrupt in the grand scheme of things.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of my favorite books ever, I hold it close to my heart and I think about it all the time. Something you will think about forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug use, Abandonment