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joghansah's review
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
4.0
arbitrary_convenience's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I enjoyed the writing of this book, though I’m still not really sure what it was about overall and a lot of the major plot points made me uncomfortable. All I can say is it’s about a boy growing up in Ohio and not fitting in. A lot happened, but it felt too scattered to feel like there was any overarching theme.
I really enjoyed the way Satyal writes. It was fun and playful. He captured the spontaneity of childhood. It was frustrating though, because I disliked every character in the book except Mrs. Goldberg. It was hard to be able cheer for them in their endeavors.
I really enjoyed the way Satyal writes. It was fun and playful. He captured the spontaneity of childhood. It was frustrating though, because I disliked every character in the book except Mrs. Goldberg. It was hard to be able cheer for them in their endeavors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Pedophilia
jrosenstein's review
3.0
The story drags in some places and maybe our young hero gets away with a bit too much in the name of retribution, but overall this is a lovely, moving book about one kid's struggle to see being different as beautiful and magical instead of a burden. Kiran is doubly outcast, an Indian kid in a mostly white Ohio school, and a gay boy who loves to dress up put on makeup and engage in wild flights of imagination. As Kiran tries to embrace and reconcile both his Indian and artistic sides, Satyal gives him some really great interior monologues and there are moments of revelation that hit just right. Satyal also finds a way to offer hope for Kiran without being unrealistic or unbelievable.
magarwal1029's review
5.0
A quirky book that every one who felt out of place growing up in a mostly homogeneous America can relate to.
marie_gg's review
4.0
Blue Boy is a beautifully written, bittersweet story about an Indian-American adolescent growing up in Ohio, discovering how different he is from everyone around him. I was drawn to this book because the name of the main character, Kiran, is similar to the name of one of my sons (Kieran).
Kiran is a highly artistic, creative, and spiritual child. He is drawn to pink, dressing up, makeup, Strawberry Shortcake, and the finer things in life. He has an amazing sense of self in spite of the ridicule and scorn he is subject to from the Indian community, his classmates, and even his parents.
While reading the book, many times I cringed and thought to myself, "he's not really going to do that, is he???" But he did!
The author graduated from Princeton's creative writing program, and some of the story is based in his own life and experience. (I thought it was interesting that I happened to read a book by a Princeton graduate right on the heels of "Admission," the novel about the admissions process at Princeton.)
These final sentences, in the Q&A with the author at the end of the book, when he is asked what he would like people to take away from the book, summarize this book well:
"Most importantly, I want them to have laughed good-heartedly. And I want them to have seen the world somewhat differently--to understand how hard childhood can be for the culturally and sexually marginalized but also how such isolation affords a child a very strong sense of self."
As someone who enjoys reading about different cultures and different ways of seeing the world--and also as the mother of sons, this was a satisfying read.
Kiran is a highly artistic, creative, and spiritual child. He is drawn to pink, dressing up, makeup, Strawberry Shortcake, and the finer things in life. He has an amazing sense of self in spite of the ridicule and scorn he is subject to from the Indian community, his classmates, and even his parents.
While reading the book, many times I cringed and thought to myself, "he's not really going to do that, is he???" But he did!
The author graduated from Princeton's creative writing program, and some of the story is based in his own life and experience. (I thought it was interesting that I happened to read a book by a Princeton graduate right on the heels of "Admission," the novel about the admissions process at Princeton.)
These final sentences, in the Q&A with the author at the end of the book, when he is asked what he would like people to take away from the book, summarize this book well:
"Most importantly, I want them to have laughed good-heartedly. And I want them to have seen the world somewhat differently--to understand how hard childhood can be for the culturally and sexually marginalized but also how such isolation affords a child a very strong sense of self."
As someone who enjoys reading about different cultures and different ways of seeing the world--and also as the mother of sons, this was a satisfying read.
soniakarina's review
4.0
This is a coming of age story about a young Indian boy, struggling to find his place in middle America. He doesn't fit in with the Indian kids that attend his temple, and he doesn't fit in with the American kids at school.
In truth, he doesn't fit in anywhere, because he is just so different. Not only does he have a wild imagination, but he is also beginning to wrestle with questions about his sexuality.
I have to be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I couldn't put it down. Kiran (the 12 year old protagonist) is the sort of character that you can't help but want to know more about. I found myself both fascinated and cringing as he went through his adventures and trials and tribulations.
Be warned, there are moments in this book that are very graphic and uncomfortable to read.
But overall, I really enjoyed this story of a young boy, an outsider, trying to find his place in his world...
In truth, he doesn't fit in anywhere, because he is just so different. Not only does he have a wild imagination, but he is also beginning to wrestle with questions about his sexuality.
I have to be honest, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I couldn't put it down. Kiran (the 12 year old protagonist) is the sort of character that you can't help but want to know more about. I found myself both fascinated and cringing as he went through his adventures and trials and tribulations.
Be warned, there are moments in this book that are very graphic and uncomfortable to read.
But overall, I really enjoyed this story of a young boy, an outsider, trying to find his place in his world...
kmerms's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
3.75
rita_reads_cda's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.75
Loved it