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A review by brogan7
Flamer by Mike Curato
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book about a boy discovering his sexual identity. Set in a boy scout camp circa 1995, it traces the story of Aiden, a boy of mixed race who doesn't think he is gay but maybe he is gay...?
I loved the illustrations, the characters (Aiden himself but also his friends at camp, his girl pen pal best friend, his counsellors and his family). They were all complicated and imperfect and "real" because of it...it reminded me of how fraught those years are, grades 7-8-9...and I don't say that just in a lighthearted way. How hard it is to navigate identity when you're just starting out, and you don't have the understanding to name your own frame of reference...how hard it is to not fit in.
It also shows how deeply misogynistic and toxic adolescent boy culture is...which makes me sad for all of us.
I loved the illustrations, the characters (Aiden himself but also his friends at camp, his girl pen pal best friend, his counsellors and his family). They were all complicated and imperfect and "real" because of it...it reminded me of how fraught those years are, grades 7-8-9...and I don't say that just in a lighthearted way. How hard it is to navigate identity when you're just starting out, and you don't have the understanding to name your own frame of reference...how hard it is to not fit in.
It also shows how deeply misogynistic and toxic adolescent boy culture is...which makes me sad for all of us.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Body shaming, and Misogyny