A review by savvylit
Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas

emotional funny reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

After September 11th, Fay and Nell are drawn together by a mutual love of theater and an endless need to uncover homoerotic subtext. Fay is brash and abrasive; Nell is shy and earnest. Together they form a duo so strong that most of their peers are surprised when one of them exists without the other.

Idlewild, as a whole, is a queer coming-of-age tale steeped in early 2000s Internet culture. Nell and Fay consistently made me laugh out loud just as often as they broke my heart. Whether it was Nell pining for Fay, or Fay's gender dysphoria, the two protagonists were always painfully sincere and relatable.

Ultimately, I think this novel is for every former teenager who
- chose humor over honesty.
- had a crush on their best friend.
- was terrified of fully realizing their own identity.
- speculated over the sexuality of their classmates.
- was too friendly with their school's faculty.
- had an intense yet short-lived friendship that shaped their life.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings