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emleemay 's review for:
Deposing Nathan
by Zack Smedley
4 1/2 stars. Did I think [b:Deposing Nathan|41150338|Deposing Nathan|Zack Smedley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547894337l/41150338._SY75_.jpg|61536492] was a good book? Well, if by that you mean “did it completely destroy me?” then yeah, it’s a good book.
It only appeared on my radar after my GR friend Amy said "I hated this book. And it was phenomenal" which, you know, how could I turn away from a statement like that? And it sums the book up completely. I devoured it in two sittings, completely immersed in the lives of these characters in a way I haven't felt from YA Contemporary in a while.
Sometimes the best kinds of stories are those that take a familiar concept - in this case, a religious teenager figuring out he might not be straight - and breathe new life into it. While Nate wrestling with his sexuality is at the core of this book, it's also about several complex, nuanced characters, about religion (as someone who doesn't usually care for this in books, I thought it was done surprisingly well), and about abuse.
What made this an especially emotive read for me is the way it explored some of the grey areas of abuse that precede the more overt kind. The gradual crossing of the fine lines between protective and abusive. Thinking back over it right now, I have bumps rising along my arms. My response to this book was deep and visceral; I can't stop thinking about it.
I also think one of the things that made this book stand out is that the characters were charismatic and their dialogue really funny. Even in scenes where there was little plot progression, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it because of the hilarious conversations between Nate and others.
Many parts of this book had me on the edge of my seat, or else on the edge of tears. And the ending damn near broke me.
I'm going to take this opportunity to recommend a song I recently discovered that seems quite relevant - Either by Fancy Hagood.
It only appeared on my radar after my GR friend Amy said "I hated this book. And it was phenomenal" which, you know, how could I turn away from a statement like that? And it sums the book up completely. I devoured it in two sittings, completely immersed in the lives of these characters in a way I haven't felt from YA Contemporary in a while.
Sometimes the best kinds of stories are those that take a familiar concept - in this case, a religious teenager figuring out he might not be straight - and breathe new life into it. While Nate wrestling with his sexuality is at the core of this book, it's also about several complex, nuanced characters, about religion (as someone who doesn't usually care for this in books, I thought it was done surprisingly well), and about abuse.
What made this an especially emotive read for me is the way it explored some of the grey areas of abuse that precede the more overt kind. The gradual crossing of the fine lines between protective and abusive. Thinking back over it right now, I have bumps rising along my arms. My response to this book was deep and visceral; I can't stop thinking about it.
I also think one of the things that made this book stand out is that the characters were charismatic and their dialogue really funny. Even in scenes where there was little plot progression, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it because of the hilarious conversations between Nate and others.
Many parts of this book had me on the edge of my seat, or else on the edge of tears. And the ending damn near broke me.
I'm going to take this opportunity to recommend a song I recently discovered that seems quite relevant - Either by Fancy Hagood.