A review by breanneporter
Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this. Idlewild follows two former students of the titular Quaker school in NYC as they became best friends (on 9/11) and explored their queerness over the last year and half of their high school careers. I absolutely adored the sweet anxious young lesbian Nell and was utterly captivated by Fay’s self-exploration. I rushed to finish (staying up way too late to do so) because I couldn’t put it down. The only slight disappointment was the ending:
Fay’s future felt so heartbreakingly bleak. I wanted more for Fay.
But overall it was a gorgeous exploration of queer and trans coming of age in the early aughts and I would highly recommend!!
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