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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
i was missing a lot of the lingo and cultural context for this book (i have a mental list of words to google so i can understand what they mean), but that doesn’t change the fact that this was an amazing romance. i honestly loved how barebones the prose was, it was not really flowery at all and i have massive respect for that.
This is a beautiful love story, tinged with some sadness. The book has an incredible sense of place, I feel like I've just been on a visit to the NSW coast. School librarian note: there is a lot of swearing and a fair bit of graphic sex. 16 or year 10+.
I didn't ultimately jive with this book, but that's okay for two reasons: 1.) it's not for me, and 2.) it's still, for a number of reasons, a very important book. The coming out and falling in love experiences that are so popular in YA have never, to my knowledge, been told through the perspective of two Aboriginal Australian teenagers living on a mish (that's short for "mission" for my American followers; the American equivalent would be "rez"/reservation) in rural New South Wales, and the ways that they experience things like worrying about whether they'll be accepted, or the casual racism and police brutality and tokenization that are all too often a part of the experience of being Indigenous in Australia—these are incredibly important perspectives. And for someone reading this who does happen to be Indigenous, as well as queer—as the saying goes, you can't be what you can't see. Being able to see yourself reflected in stories is such an important thing, and that's why it doesn't matter that I didn't love this book—because it's an important perspective for everyone to read, and for someone, it could be lifesaving. I hope this is the start of me seeing a lot more books by Aboriginal authors in my teen room! (Kind of a crapshoot since I'm in the States but, regardless, one can hope.)
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol
My third queer read of the year!
This one is tough to review. It's not that the themes aren't important, or the concepts discussed are portrayed poorly. I just didn't 'click' with this book.
Lonesborough does an amazing job at discussing crucial issues facing both the LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal communities. Thomas and Jackson are well-rounded and dynamic.
My issue stems from the pacing of the book; it just feels like Lonesborough wanted to squeeze everything in! Which, at times, makes the book boring or very very very slow.
This one is tough to review. It's not that the themes aren't important, or the concepts discussed are portrayed poorly. I just didn't 'click' with this book.
Lonesborough does an amazing job at discussing crucial issues facing both the LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal communities. Thomas and Jackson are well-rounded and dynamic.
My issue stems from the pacing of the book; it just feels like Lonesborough wanted to squeeze everything in! Which, at times, makes the book boring or very very very slow.
Recently I have been finding it difficult to find a book focusing on a lgbt character's self discovery without the plot becoming weirdly fetishy in some parts. As mlm stories mainly are produced by, and made for straight women.
Its really great to find a book like this, written by and for people similar to the characters, makes them all the more likeable. I had a great time with this book, definitely recommend :-)
Its really great to find a book like this, written by and for people similar to the characters, makes them all the more likeable. I had a great time with this book, definitely recommend :-)
I've read this a couple times. Beautiful little story.
This book was nothing like I expected, I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job with it. I think particularly because this book is about an aboriginal Australian boy, having it narrated by someone of the same background really added to it.
This story is a great example of the importance of reading books written by authors where this is their lived experience. The authenticity in this book made such a big difference because it tackles the intersectionality of being aboriginal and also being gay.
I could really feel Jackson’s fear of being gay and coming out and how challenging that is within his community. The story was beautifully written and is probably the best YA coming out/ coming of age story I’ve read.
The way the author also weaves into the story the racial discrimination aboriginal people face in general and also with the police gave this book an added dimension that was thought provoking.
I would highly recommend this book. It’s the kind of story where you just keep thinking about it and all the different layers to the story.
This story is a great example of the importance of reading books written by authors where this is their lived experience. The authenticity in this book made such a big difference because it tackles the intersectionality of being aboriginal and also being gay.
I could really feel Jackson’s fear of being gay and coming out and how challenging that is within his community. The story was beautifully written and is probably the best YA coming out/ coming of age story I’ve read.
The way the author also weaves into the story the racial discrimination aboriginal people face in general and also with the police gave this book an added dimension that was thought provoking.
I would highly recommend this book. It’s the kind of story where you just keep thinking about it and all the different layers to the story.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated