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A review by she_loves_to_read
Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness, Julie Murphy
If you're looking for a fun, witty, emotional, educational, empowering, and thought-provoking story with a hint of the supernatural and a whole tonne of inspiration for pride month. Then, Let Them Stare should be at the top of your list. Despite being classed as YA, I think you can get just as much, if not more, out of it as an adult.
The story follows 18 yr old non-binary Sully who has been desperate their whole life to leave small town Pensylvania. When they are offered a fashion internship in NYC, they jump at the chance. But when the internship goes up in smoke, Sully is stuck at home with no job, no car, no money, and no real plan for the future. With emotions, high and comfort needed, Sully decided to go to their personal sanctuary, thrift store, Yesterday's Today. What they didn't expect was a random haul producing a vintage bag that will change their life immeasurably. Giving them renewed purpose and a sense of hope, in the form of ghost, Rufus, a drag performer from the it's with no memory of how he died. Alongside potential love interest Brad, playing chauffeur. Sully delves into the history of the town they hate and want to escape. Only to discover that there's more to Hearts than they ever thought possible.
Blending modern dat LGBTQIA+ issues woth those faced by the community in the 1950s, it highlights the good, bad, and downright ugly experiences that severely affects the lives of those who have thoughts feelings, hopes, dreams and aspirations just like those in the non-queer community.
It's got fun, friendship, love, romance, lies, secrets, growth, humour, found family, community, a t-rex in drag, fashion, heartbreak, healing, and an excellent character and plot development. With an important message that everyone should learn from. LET THEM STARE! It's a story of finding the extra ordinary in perfectly ordinary places and learning how to take up space even in places where you're certain you dont belong. Just brilliant!
The story follows 18 yr old non-binary Sully who has been desperate their whole life to leave small town Pensylvania. When they are offered a fashion internship in NYC, they jump at the chance. But when the internship goes up in smoke, Sully is stuck at home with no job, no car, no money, and no real plan for the future. With emotions, high and comfort needed, Sully decided to go to their personal sanctuary, thrift store, Yesterday's Today. What they didn't expect was a random haul producing a vintage bag that will change their life immeasurably. Giving them renewed purpose and a sense of hope, in the form of ghost, Rufus, a drag performer from the it's with no memory of how he died. Alongside potential love interest Brad, playing chauffeur. Sully delves into the history of the town they hate and want to escape. Only to discover that there's more to Hearts than they ever thought possible.
Blending modern dat LGBTQIA+ issues woth those faced by the community in the 1950s, it highlights the good, bad, and downright ugly experiences that severely affects the lives of those who have thoughts feelings, hopes, dreams and aspirations just like those in the non-queer community.
It's got fun, friendship, love, romance, lies, secrets, growth, humour, found family, community, a t-rex in drag, fashion, heartbreak, healing, and an excellent character and plot development. With an important message that everyone should learn from. LET THEM STARE! It's a story of finding the extra ordinary in perfectly ordinary places and learning how to take up space even in places where you're certain you dont belong. Just brilliant!