Scan barcode
A review by achilleanshelves
Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
5.0
Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore follows Carey Parker, a genderqueer teen who is more than used to a daily dose of queerphobia but gets far more than they bargained for when they're cast in the role of Elphaba in their school's production of Wicked. The story follows Carey as they fight backlash against their casting and fight back against queerphobia in the school as a whole.
This story was absolutely beautiful. In every way that I can describe, it was perfect.
Carey's layered identity was so wonderful to read about. Each chapter was subtitled with identifying pronouns (they/them, he/him or she/her) depending which Carey identified in that respective chapter. It is these kind of touches that prove why we need non-binary* authors writing their stories.
The side characters were all extremely memorable with the Fierce Five being so much fun and so loveable and Blanca's addition to the group being warmly received. Phoebe was especially enjoyable to read about due to her fierce and passionate nature. Cris as a love interest was extremely likeable and I honestly wish we saw more of him as he is just a beacon of joy and love in this story.
Seeing a character talk openly about their suicide ideations, depression and therapy was amazingly refreshing and uplifting to read about in a strange way. The fact that so many queer people experience such thoughts and issues goes to show how messed up the world is and these discussions need to happen openly. Mental health will remain stigmatised if we do not. Carey's story of survival is extremely powerful.
The protest and queer advocacy in this book was immense and so extremely poignant. I truly can't put into words how much #LetCareySing means to me and how much of an impact that it's had on me. To have the strength to be one's self authentically in spite of the world telling you not too is overwhelmingly difficult but Salvatore and Carey make it that bit easier to take the first step to embracing who you truly are and fighting for what you believe.
Content warnings - queerphobia, discussions and recollections of suicidal ideations, therapy, discussions of depression, black-mailing
This story was absolutely beautiful. In every way that I can describe, it was perfect.
Carey's layered identity was so wonderful to read about. Each chapter was subtitled with identifying pronouns (they/them, he/him or she/her) depending which Carey identified in that respective chapter. It is these kind of touches that prove why we need non-binary* authors writing their stories.
The side characters were all extremely memorable with the Fierce Five being so much fun and so loveable and Blanca's addition to the group being warmly received. Phoebe was especially enjoyable to read about due to her fierce and passionate nature. Cris as a love interest was extremely likeable and I honestly wish we saw more of him as he is just a beacon of joy and love in this story.
Seeing a character talk openly about their suicide ideations, depression and therapy was amazingly refreshing and uplifting to read about in a strange way. The fact that so many queer people experience such thoughts and issues goes to show how messed up the world is and these discussions need to happen openly. Mental health will remain stigmatised if we do not. Carey's story of survival is extremely powerful.
The protest and queer advocacy in this book was immense and so extremely poignant. I truly can't put into words how much #LetCareySing means to me and how much of an impact that it's had on me. To have the strength to be one's self authentically in spite of the world telling you not too is overwhelmingly difficult but Salvatore and Carey make it that bit easier to take the first step to embracing who you truly are and fighting for what you believe.
Content warnings - queerphobia, discussions and recollections of suicidal ideations, therapy, discussions of depression, black-mailing