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A review by thebookishmel
How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters
4.0
no one talk to me dis shit was so cute
okay - lets get it together now. THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH FUN. However, there are some serious trigger warnings including discussions of racism, homophobia, past minor characters' death, and alcoholism, as well as depictions of homophobic bullying, and a scene involving brief sexual harassment/racial fetishism (copied straight from the book). BUT I think Winters does a PHENOMENAL job at addressing all of them in a digestible way.
If you're a fan of The Edge of Seventeen and Heartstopper, I think this is the perfect blend of both and I'll tell you why - it's such a fun coming of age story answering the overarching question of "who am I?" but specifically, "Who is Remy Cameron?"
Struck by varying identities and labels that he has found himself lumped under, it's really understanding that he is an amalgamation [SAT prep ;) - iykyk] of all of these identities to becoming exactly who he is now, with all of the heartbreak and trauma, as well as the great times, great family, and celebration. Seeing how his relationship with Ian Park grows into something so beautiful is what reminds me of Nick and Charlie from the Heartstopper comics!
I think we also see a hint of Winters writing himself in the book in the messages his characters tell Remy. Particularly, a conversation between him and Brook stands out to me as a way for him to almost break the fourth wall, and though I'm all for subtleties, this even hit me - and it didn't even APPLY to me or my life.
I was able to fall in love with Remy as he fell back in love with himself, and I think that's one of the most valuable aspects of this book and I'm SO glad to have read it.
okay - lets get it together now. THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH FUN. However, there are some serious trigger warnings including discussions of racism, homophobia, past minor characters' death, and alcoholism, as well as depictions of homophobic bullying, and a scene involving brief sexual harassment/racial fetishism (copied straight from the book). BUT I think Winters does a PHENOMENAL job at addressing all of them in a digestible way.
If you're a fan of The Edge of Seventeen and Heartstopper, I think this is the perfect blend of both and I'll tell you why - it's such a fun coming of age story answering the overarching question of "who am I?" but specifically, "Who is Remy Cameron?"
Struck by varying identities and labels that he has found himself lumped under, it's really understanding that he is an amalgamation [SAT prep ;) - iykyk] of all of these identities to becoming exactly who he is now, with all of the heartbreak and trauma, as well as the great times, great family, and celebration. Seeing how his relationship with Ian Park grows into something so beautiful is what reminds me of Nick and Charlie from the Heartstopper comics!
I think we also see a hint of Winters writing himself in the book in the messages his characters tell Remy. Particularly, a conversation between him and Brook stands out to me as a way for him to almost break the fourth wall, and though I'm all for subtleties, this even hit me - and it didn't even APPLY to me or my life.
I was able to fall in love with Remy as he fell back in love with himself, and I think that's one of the most valuable aspects of this book and I'm SO glad to have read it.