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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
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
medium-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
The interactions between the man and the boy are interesting. There is maybe one eye brow raising moment on the actions the boy makes towards the man, but I believe when viewed critically and objectively it is clear that the boy is searching for a father figure and not some other form of impropriety. Sure, the relationship in itself is a bit dated when viewed threw a modern, suspicious lens, but the words shared between them are nothing short of honest and introspective. it is truly a great story for a boy coming to his own and being guided by a somewhat flawed adult who is more than understanding of his own shortcomings. Completely recommend for a quick one day read to ponder.
As I taught this book to 9th graders, so many issues emerged. I felt it was a touching story between a young boy and his teacher/mentor.
emotional
reflective
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
I just reread this for the first time in many years. I still love it. It's one of only 3 1970s YA books I still have copies of, along with Very Far Away from Anywhere Else (LeGuin) and Max's Wonderful Delicatessen (Winifred Madison). I never thought about it before, but the reason these three have stuck with me is that there all about kids (boys, as it happens) who don't feel any sense of belonging, then find a person, or people, with whom they belong.
This book has its problems. It has Tragic Queerness, it's got some diet culture stuff in it, and it's trying hard to use 70s teenspeak in a way that rings false. And there's material in it that many people will find anathema:sexual interaction between an adult and a young teen, as well as the death of a major character . But, as I said, I still love it, with all its warts, and I wouldn't even choose to change it.
This book has its problems. It has Tragic Queerness, it's got some diet culture stuff in it, and it's trying hard to use 70s teenspeak in a way that rings false. And there's material in it that many people will find anathema:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol
At first, I didn't really like the protagonist of this novel at all. He's pretty misogynistic (somehow his older sister and mother are to blame for all of his problems, and he treats his younger sister as though she's absolutely useless), and he's also perfected the art of avoiding conflict by being passive and acting dumb, which is something that drives me insane in real people. As Chuck discovers his own humanity through his friendship with McLeod (his tutor, and the "man without a face" in the title), however, he becomes more likeable. I had always read about this book in the context of the somewhat homoerotic relationship that develops between Chuck and McLeod, but in actually reading the book, I found that the homoeroticism is pretty subtle. There's hints here and there about McLeod's sexuality, and Chuck definitely has conflicting feelings about him, but it's really sort of a story about friendship and surrogate fatherhood. I'm still not sure how much I liked the book, but I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
3.5 stars - I really liked this book up until the end. The very end almost made me give it two stars. Before the last chapter or so, I was tempted to give it 4.5 or even 5. Love the author's writing style and can't wait to seek out more of her stuff. The movie was actually better, which I figured because this book was so short and the movie so brilliant and indepth. There are some differences, but the main things remain the same. A beautiful and psychologically rich story, wonderful characterization, although McLeod seemed a bit more wooden in written form than he was on screen played well by Mel Gibson. Charles is convincing, and his dysfunctional family dynamic intriguing. Worth reading if you enjoyed the movie (or haven't seen it, whichever), although the end is souring. Sexuality is more focused on with the book rather than the film, with an almost confusing bend. What really bugged me during the last pages is what happened to a main character. It's like an uplifting surge of the heart through growth and recovery from the past, through friendship and understanding, to unfairness and being sold short.
As to the very end, no, I don't think he was molested.
As to the very end, no, I don't think he was molested.
Spoiler
I think the writer was saying he was ashamed as he had an...err, normal teenage boy reaction that embarrassed him after the trauma and then having close contact. Homophobia is a major theme in the book, starting with the mother wanting her son to avoid boarding school because the previous stepfather insists it turns boys into homosexuals. Charles later worrying about that and asking his teacher. Charles at the end of book was ashamed and didn't want to speak about what his body did, the writer delicately putting it in the only way she could as the character begins to realize he's gay. McLeod admits he is also gay but I don't see any sign they did anything. McLeod was telling him it was a natural reaction and not to worry about it "for years", which is why he wanted to talk about it then and not avoid the conversation.
Well written and I actually liked the narrator, Chuck, which is rare when I read books narrated by children. I thought he was just enough cynical without overdoing it. He seemed like a realistic son of a socialite mother in the 70s. I liked the premise of the book and thought it was paced nicely, although more family interactions might have furthered Chuck's feelings of alienation from his family.
HOWEVER, I did not like the ending. I see others in the comments skirting around this issue, as if it was just a vague feeling that made them uncomfortable (and others wholly ignoring it, talking as if Justin is some kind of Father Figure only). Chuck represents the classic textbook example of a child at-risk for sexual predators: fatherless, seeking male companionship, alienated, alone. While Justin doesn't at first pursue anything, he essentially grooms Chuck by giving him what he wants: a father. While I can see some restraint in Justin's interactions, he ultimately gives in to his desires(I think his reluctance stems from the boy dying in the car, who was also probably someone he was "with"). I think Justin feels conflicted about what is happening, so it's hard to view him as an evil sexual predator, although I do believe he is a pedophile (or at least an ephebephile).
BUT the fact remains that his is a 47 year old man and Chuck is only 14. Their relationship not only borders on inappropriate, it crosses the line. Most disturbing to me, however, isn't this, as this makes an interesting story. What is disturbing is Chuck's feelings toward Justin, who he essentially mourns at the end. There seems to be nothing that shows Chuck's understanding of what happened was inappropriate beyond the fact that Justin was a man.
On a side note, Barry totally knew what was up. It seems hinted at that Barry and Justin knew each other...
HOWEVER, I did not like the ending. I see others in the comments skirting around this issue, as if it was just a vague feeling that made them uncomfortable (and others wholly ignoring it, talking as if Justin is some kind of Father Figure only). Chuck represents the classic textbook example of a child at-risk for sexual predators: fatherless, seeking male companionship, alienated, alone. While Justin doesn't at first pursue anything, he essentially grooms Chuck by giving him what he wants: a father. While I can see some restraint in Justin's interactions, he ultimately gives in to his desires(I think his reluctance stems from the boy dying in the car, who was also probably someone he was "with"). I think Justin feels conflicted about what is happening, so it's hard to view him as an evil sexual predator, although I do believe he is a pedophile (or at least an ephebephile).
BUT the fact remains that his is a 47 year old man and Chuck is only 14. Their relationship not only borders on inappropriate, it crosses the line. Most disturbing to me, however, isn't this, as this makes an interesting story. What is disturbing is Chuck's feelings toward Justin, who he essentially mourns at the end. There seems to be nothing that shows Chuck's understanding of what happened was inappropriate beyond the fact that Justin was a man.
On a side note, Barry totally knew what was up. It seems hinted at that Barry and Justin knew each other...
