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A review by shadowofrazia
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
5.0
Okay, so I had some major misgivings about this book, especially based on the title. It completely surprised me. I knew what the book was about, because of the summary, but I figured there way no way a book like this couldn't go badly.
And then I read it and I cried forever.
Not only does this book address bisexuality (biphobia was one of the things I was most worried about in a book about a gay boy who pretends to be straight), but it does it in a way that isn't completely gross. Even when Ben and Rafe are talking about the complexity of their relationship, Ben even considers bisexuality, because he did really love his girlfriend, even as he can admit he loves Rafe.
It addresses homophobia and the idea that gay/queer people have to be gay/queer ALL THE TIME, which kind of struck a chord with me. It addresses the line between being pushy and being supportive about a person's coming out. I had to keep pausing because I was waving my arms around wildly with excitement.
(Mr. Scarborough's comments on Rafe's writing? 10/10 yes, good.)
The only thing that kind of got me was some of the language used, but I get that it's based in a world of teenage boys, and the language is...pretty accurate, if troubling. Even with the language, I'm probably going to recommend this to anyone who asks, because this was a perfect example of that whole "don't judge books by their cover" thing.
And then I read it and I cried forever.
Not only does this book address bisexuality (biphobia was one of the things I was most worried about in a book about a gay boy who pretends to be straight), but it does it in a way that isn't completely gross. Even when Ben and Rafe are talking about the complexity of their relationship, Ben even considers bisexuality, because he did really love his girlfriend, even as he can admit he loves Rafe.
It addresses homophobia and the idea that gay/queer people have to be gay/queer ALL THE TIME, which kind of struck a chord with me. It addresses the line between being pushy and being supportive about a person's coming out. I had to keep pausing because I was waving my arms around wildly with excitement.
(Mr. Scarborough's comments on Rafe's writing? 10/10 yes, good.)
The only thing that kind of got me was some of the language used, but I get that it's based in a world of teenage boys, and the language is...pretty accurate, if troubling. Even with the language, I'm probably going to recommend this to anyone who asks, because this was a perfect example of that whole "don't judge books by their cover" thing.