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A review by missriki
Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
5.0
Star wrestler Brendan Chase seems to have it all, with popularity and the perfect girlfriend by his side. From the outside, everything seems to be in place. But on the inside, Brendan is struggling to understand why he feels so wrong in his own body. Fantasies of having long hair and soft curves frustrate and confuse him. He doesn’t know if there’s a name for what he’s feeling, or if he is just a freak. When he meets Angel, he falls into an easy friendship with someone who seems to really understand him. With her support, Brendan finally finds answers to his complicated emotions.
This book is written in verse, which really drives home the story with sparse, powerful language. Not a single word is wasted in this book, with every phrase cutting deep and having an impact. It flows incredibly well and after a few pages you don’t even realize the unorthodox structure of the narrative. It simply draws you in and never lets up in intensity.
The book is written from three intersecting points of view- that of Brendan, his girlfriend Vanessa, and Angel. Each character is struggling with their own problems, with Brendan dealing with the reality of being gender fluid, Vanessa dealing with the possibility of losing Brendan, and Angel, who I supportive of Brendan but has demons of her own.
This unique novel in verse takes great care in not offering us stereotypes while presenting the trans/ non-binary gender community in an engaging plot. Brendan’s struggle to understand his emotions and how to label himself is universal and heart wrenching.
This is an important and complex novel. I highly recommend it.
This book is written in verse, which really drives home the story with sparse, powerful language. Not a single word is wasted in this book, with every phrase cutting deep and having an impact. It flows incredibly well and after a few pages you don’t even realize the unorthodox structure of the narrative. It simply draws you in and never lets up in intensity.
The book is written from three intersecting points of view- that of Brendan, his girlfriend Vanessa, and Angel. Each character is struggling with their own problems, with Brendan dealing with the reality of being gender fluid, Vanessa dealing with the possibility of losing Brendan, and Angel, who I supportive of Brendan but has demons of her own.
This unique novel in verse takes great care in not offering us stereotypes while presenting the trans/ non-binary gender community in an engaging plot. Brendan’s struggle to understand his emotions and how to label himself is universal and heart wrenching.
This is an important and complex novel. I highly recommend it.