A review by rainbowbrarian
Becoming Ted by Matt Cain

3.75

Becoming Ted is the story of a middle class man in England learning to put himself first after a lifetime of dimming his shine for other people.  After his husband leaves him for another (younger) man he’s forced to reevaluate what he always thought was a happy relationship.  He’s been working for his family’s ice cream business his entire life and he doesn’t even like ice cream!  He decides to follow a dream he’s always kept locked in his heart, he decides to set out to become a drag queen.  He also meets Oskar, a Polish immigrant and aspiring designer who moved to England for a better life.  Maybe having his husband leave him could be a change for the better?

This story was sweet and perhaps a little bit too simple.  I liked Ted, and liked Oskar even more, but some of the conflict felt a little contrived, and then the resolutions came a little too easily.  Watching Oscar and Ted falling for each other was the best part of this story, I loved how caring they were with each other and how respectful they were with each other’s sore spots.  Loved the story line with Oskar’s father, but I was disappointed with a kind of forced third act breakup.  Also Ted’s ex husband got off WAY too easily, he was emotionally manipulative and when he came crawling back he was let off way too easily.  Also I don’t think someone that was that crappy during a 20 year marriage and subsequent affair is going to have such impressive emotional growth in that short a time. 

Favorite Parts - Ted and Oskar having a date on the beach, them sharing about their families