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A review by foggy_rosamund
Blue Boy by Rakesh Satyal
4.0
Kiran feels dislocated everywhere: both in his elementary school among his white classmates, and at temple and parties among other Indian-Americans. At only 12, he's precociously clever and imaginative, but very isolated. He enjoys ballet, playing with make-up and dolls, and singing and performing. Eventually, he decides he's not the freak other kids think he is: he's actually a mortal reincarnation of the god Krishna.
I really enjoyed this book, though it's a flawed narrative. Kiran's engagement with Hinduism, beauty, performance and spirituality are all beautifully explored. This book is also unflinching in its look at pre-adolescent sexuality, and Kiran's obsession with male and female bodies. It's also heartbreaking at times when Kiran is bullied and feels like his sexuality and gender expression make him unworthy of being part of society. This is told in first person, and Kiran's narrative voice is often very funny and interesting, but does not feel at all like a 12-year-old. This disconnect between the age of the narrator and the maturity of his voice felt very jarring at times. The plot also bags in places, and I think a tighter narrative would have improved this novel. That being said, the emotional impact of this book more than makes up for its flaws, and I found the last few paragraphs both beautifully expressed and deeply moving. I'm consistently cheering Kiran on throughout, and his tenacity as a character makes this narrative hopeful, and makes the reader believe Kiran will find happiness in the end.
I really enjoyed this book, though it's a flawed narrative. Kiran's engagement with Hinduism, beauty, performance and spirituality are all beautifully explored. This book is also unflinching in its look at pre-adolescent sexuality, and Kiran's obsession with male and female bodies. It's also heartbreaking at times when Kiran is bullied and feels like his sexuality and gender expression make him unworthy of being part of society. This is told in first person, and Kiran's narrative voice is often very funny and interesting, but does not feel at all like a 12-year-old. This disconnect between the age of the narrator and the maturity of his voice felt very jarring at times. The plot also bags in places, and I think a tighter narrative would have improved this novel. That being said, the emotional impact of this book more than makes up for its flaws, and I found the last few paragraphs both beautifully expressed and deeply moving. I'm consistently cheering Kiran on throughout, and his tenacity as a character makes this narrative hopeful, and makes the reader believe Kiran will find happiness in the end.