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A review by mortimerdeadsea
Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I've definitely heard mixed things about this book. Overall, I did enjoy it, but I also understand where the criticism is coming from.
This book can be really rough to read; it shows a lot of violent homophobia and transphobia, both from peers and from people in positions of power. I think there are two very important things this book showcases through its story:
1. The most important thing you can have in life is people on your side. Casey would not have been able to do what they did alone, and its only because they had so many people willing to fight for and beside them that they were able to maintain the starring role in the school musical and continue their dreams of being a diva. From their mom, to their queer teacher, to their lifelong best friends, to their newfound friendships, and their newfound romantic interest, they needed everyone's help. The best things happen together, and community and solidarity is one of the most important things marginalized people can have in the fight for rights and liberation.
2. Unfortunately, you won't achieve everything you set out for.The homophobic teacher they were trying to get fired ultimately only got fired because he didn't actually have teaching credentials. If not for that, they would never would have been able to get him fired because the school board just didn't care enough about the harm he was causing students because it wasn't physically violent. It's a sad but unfortunate truth that no matter how hard you work, you aren't always going to win the fight. But that isn't a reason to stop trying or celebrate the victories you do get.
The two major criticisms I've heard about the book are often about how tough the book can be to read and about the way the characters of color are portrayed. As I said, the book can be really tough to read, and I think it could be especially tough to read as a young queer and trans teen. Unfortunately, it is realistic, and as tough as it is, I do think it will do a lot for good in the right hands. I do think the criticism surrounding the characters of color is valid, given how the the white main character is able to keep their starring role thanks to the work and sacrifices of the people of color around them. I think the author was trying to show community and solidarity at work, however, I think it would have been better coming from an author of color as opposed to a white author.
Ultimately, I did enjoy the book and I will continue to read Steven Salvatore's future work.
This book can be really rough to read; it shows a lot of violent homophobia and transphobia, both from peers and from people in positions of power. I think there are two very important things this book showcases through its story:
1. The most important thing you can have in life is people on your side. Casey would not have been able to do what they did alone, and its only because they had so many people willing to fight for and beside them that they were able to maintain the starring role in the school musical and continue their dreams of being a diva. From their mom, to their queer teacher, to their lifelong best friends, to their newfound friendships, and their newfound romantic interest, they needed everyone's help. The best things happen together, and community and solidarity is one of the most important things marginalized people can have in the fight for rights and liberation.
2. Unfortunately, you won't achieve everything you set out for.
The two major criticisms I've heard about the book are often about how tough the book can be to read and about the way the characters of color are portrayed. As I said, the book can be really tough to read, and I think it could be especially tough to read as a young queer and trans teen. Unfortunately, it is realistic, and as tough as it is, I do think it will do a lot for good in the right hands. I do think the criticism surrounding the characters of color is valid, given how the the white main character is able to keep their starring role thanks to the work and sacrifices of the people of color around them. I think the author was trying to show community and solidarity at work, however, I think it would have been better coming from an author of color as opposed to a white author.
Ultimately, I did enjoy the book and I will continue to read Steven Salvatore's future work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia