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A review by midwaydancer
The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe
5.0
I went into this book blindly, having loved Margo's Got Money Troubles and wanting to work through Thorpe's backlist. The library I borrowed the book from had put a "romance" sticker on the spine, which I don't understand at all. The book is narrated by Michael, a closeted, poor, sensitive outcast who befriends his next door neighbor, Bunny. Bunny is wealthy and she and Michael really don't have much in common at first glance except that she is also an outcast at school due to her athletic build and 6'3 frame. Both have challenging relationships with their families and they become a sort of chosen family to each other, even as their relationship is changed by an act of violence. The book follows the pair through the years as they try to figure whatdoes it mean if "good" people do "bad" things?
My favorite character was Ray, Bunny's father, who is often present as a sort of third wheel. He was absurd, awful and hilarious.
Although the book had some scenes and topics that are hard, it was also a wonderful read. It was dark but never veered into depressing. I devoured the first 2/3 and then portioned out the last 1/3 into small bits I could savor. The writing is just *so excellent*.
My favorite character was Ray, Bunny's father, who is often present as a sort of third wheel. He was absurd, awful and hilarious.
Although the book had some scenes and topics that are hard, it was also a wonderful read. It was dark but never veered into depressing. I devoured the first 2/3 and then portioned out the last 1/3 into small bits I could savor. The writing is just *so excellent*.