Arts :: Books
Out in print by Brian Jewell
contributing writerThursday May 29, 2008
Thinking Straight
Robin Reardon
Kensington Press
The author of the gayboy coming out story The Secret Edge takes on a tougher topic, the clash between gay identity and Christian fundamentalism, with sensitivity and respect in this novel about a young man sent to be "rehabilitated" after coming out to his parents. At the strictly regimented Straight to God center, Taylor Adams must feel his way through a minefield of resentful troubled teens, homophobic authority figures, and a peer mentor who may need more help himself than he can give to Taylor. Throughout, Taylor never wavers in his faith that "God doesn’t make mistakes, and if I’m gay it’s because that’s what he wanted." Reardon has thrown in some mysterious goings-on to tease the reader onwards, but the real meat of the book is its very accessible look at theology and scriptural analysis. Reardon gives almost all his characters their dignity, and it’s always clear that extremism and ignorance are the real sins. This book could well be a godsend for anyone struggling to reconcile faith and sexuality, but Taylor Adams emerges as a hero that anyone can relate to; a precocious but believable teenager with the courage of his convictions, who finds new depths in himself when tested by adversity.
Band Fags!
Frank Anthony Polito
Kensington Press
Picture it: Detroit, 1982. Reagan is in The White House, The Go-Go’s are on the radio, and an Atari 5200 is a status symbol. And Jack Paterno is about to embark on the exciting/horrifying rollercoaster ritual known as four years of high school. Band Fags! follows that entire journey, as its young protagonist makes and trades best friends, dates girls, gets crushes on boys, comes out, and finally gets a diploma and a better sense of his own identity. Anyone who grew up in the ’80s will probably be transported back to middle school or high school by Polito’s evocation of important issues like the superiority of Calvins over Jordache, the tragically short career of Jon-Erik Hexum, and the finer plot points of Days of Our Lives. But the book’s biggest strength is also its biggest weakness: Polito has perfectly channeled the voice of a closeted teen, but that’s a voice that doesn’t always make for a compelling narrator. The story could use more shaping and trimming, and less authentic details; too often Jack Paterno is someone who doesn’t have much to say but takes a long time to say it. This novel may be aimed at thirty-somethings who want to take a saunter down memory lane, but I think it would be appreciated more by young adults who can immediately identify with the book’s study of the ups and downs of adolescence.
Down to the Bone
Mayra Lazara Dole
Harper Teen
Why are so many of the gay coming-of-age books about boys? Down to the Bone adds some gender and racial diversity to the growing canon with this tale of a lesbian Latina. Laura is in love with her girlfriend Marlena and all is right with the world - until the discovery of a love letter gets her kicked out of Catholic school and out of her mother’s house. Separated from her girlfriend and forced to move in with a friend’s family, Laura tries to distance herself from her past and her sexuality. You can imagine how successful that tactic is. But will Laura settle for living a lie, or will she fully come out? Dole spins her yarn with a pleasing mix of honesty and lightness, showing us Laura’s pain and confusion in dealing with her unsupportive family and friends, but without getting so bogged down in it that the reader loses hope. And Laura is a character to root for: sassy and sarcastic, insightful but naïve, loving but defensive. She’s an authentic teenager down to her Miami slang and effusive enthusiasm and, when she finally finds her pride you’ll want to cheer.
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