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A review by nickartrip102
Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out by Ryan Love
3.0
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley. When 79-year-old Arthur decides to come out his family is left shocked and confused. Even more surprising, his wife is totally on board with it all! His decision, however, sends his grandson into a frenzy. Teddy is 21 and contemplating coming out to his mother, but after witnessing her reaction to her father’s coming out he is filled with trepidation.
For the most part, this book is funny and sensitive and filled me with all of those warm, fuzzy feelings that I want from a story like this. The situation is a difficult one! I found myself developing sympathy for the elderly man who has hidden his truth nearly his entire life and for the family who now have to acknowledge this new reality where the father they’ve always known is actually gay. The repeated question of “why now?” irritated me, but also forced me to examine how this revelation affected their perception of their own lives. Arthur is such a dear, reading his story made me tear up several times.
The other half of our novel, Ben’s narrative, was a touch much frustrating. There were moments when I wanted to shake him for his obliviousness! His relationship with his grandfather really endeared me to him though. I think a bit more clarity on his behavior in the time following his father’s death would have made the relationship between him and his mothers and sisters a bit easier to understand. There were moments when I craved larger emotional reactions from the character, more anger from Arthur or Teddy.
Or, less politely (with spoilers):
For the most part, this book is funny and sensitive and filled me with all of those warm, fuzzy feelings that I want from a story like this. The situation is a difficult one! I found myself developing sympathy for the elderly man who has hidden his truth nearly his entire life and for the family who now have to acknowledge this new reality where the father they’ve always known is actually gay. The repeated question of “why now?” irritated me, but also forced me to examine how this revelation affected their perception of their own lives. Arthur is such a dear, reading his story made me tear up several times.
The other half of our novel, Ben’s narrative, was a touch much frustrating. There were moments when I wanted to shake him for his obliviousness! His relationship with his grandfather really endeared me to him though. I think a bit more clarity on his behavior in the time following his father’s death would have made the relationship between him and his mothers and sisters a bit easier to understand. There were moments when I craved larger emotional reactions from the character, more anger from Arthur or Teddy.
Or, less politely (with spoilers):