sarful's review
5.0
4.5
This book really dove head first into the AIDS crisis circa 1989 in New York, the epicenter of the epidemic US and never let up. It’s about friendship, family, fear, anger, becoming ones true self and a bit of a love story about Madonna. It’s so wonderful to have such beautifully powerful YA books like this, tackling such complicated issues so effortlessly.
Reza moves to NYC his senior year in high school. He’s Persian so he’s already made fun of, add his attraction to men and he’s a bundle of fear. In comes two best friends in Art and Judy. Art is the only openly gay student at school and he’s loud and proud about it. Something Reza is in awe of. Judy is a fashion risk taker and a bit chubby. The two hang out a lot with Judy’s uncle, Stephen, an out gay man with AIDS who an activist with ACT UP, and a mentor to Art. Reza wants so badly to be “normal” that he begins to date Judy, finding a kindred spirit in her and a genuine friendship he adores. But, he can’t stop his feelings and ultimately tells her his real feelings for Art. Which is angsty and very believable and well done.
You get the loneliness of being gay in America, even in liberal NYC, the fear of contracting a disease with no cure, just for loving who you love, and of course dealing with being different or an outcast as a teen. There are so many emotions swirling around in this book that at one moment I was laughing and in another I was crying. Stephen is the heart of this book, a man of wisdom and care, a man with fight and sentiment, a man who fiercely loves and is fiercely loved. He’s the one to bridge all the characters together in caring and creative ways. He’s a central figure in ACT UP to fight AIDS and through him we see the movement, the humanity behind the actions, the fear of no cures and of losing so many people. He’s also of a generation that never feared AIDS until they got it, whereas Reza and Art are of a generation who came of age with AIDS, came of age with the fear of not just being gay and bullied but of a disease they could die of. This period is important to know and I feel this book does it beautifully.
Plus, Madonna. She’s celebrated throughout this book for her boldness and her insight. I’ve never read such strong conviction as to why she’s such an important icon for the gay community. It’s glorious.
This book really dove head first into the AIDS crisis circa 1989 in New York, the epicenter of the epidemic US and never let up. It’s about friendship, family, fear, anger, becoming ones true self and a bit of a love story about Madonna. It’s so wonderful to have such beautifully powerful YA books like this, tackling such complicated issues so effortlessly.
Reza moves to NYC his senior year in high school. He’s Persian so he’s already made fun of, add his attraction to men and he’s a bundle of fear. In comes two best friends in Art and Judy. Art is the only openly gay student at school and he’s loud and proud about it. Something Reza is in awe of. Judy is a fashion risk taker and a bit chubby. The two hang out a lot with Judy’s uncle, Stephen, an out gay man with AIDS who an activist with ACT UP, and a mentor to Art. Reza wants so badly to be “normal” that he begins to date Judy, finding a kindred spirit in her and a genuine friendship he adores. But, he can’t stop his feelings and ultimately tells her his real feelings for Art. Which is angsty and very believable and well done.
You get the loneliness of being gay in America, even in liberal NYC, the fear of contracting a disease with no cure, just for loving who you love, and of course dealing with being different or an outcast as a teen. There are so many emotions swirling around in this book that at one moment I was laughing and in another I was crying. Stephen is the heart of this book, a man of wisdom and care, a man with fight and sentiment, a man who fiercely loves and is fiercely loved. He’s the one to bridge all the characters together in caring and creative ways. He’s a central figure in ACT UP to fight AIDS and through him we see the movement, the humanity behind the actions, the fear of no cures and of losing so many people. He’s also of a generation that never feared AIDS until they got it, whereas Reza and Art are of a generation who came of age with AIDS, came of age with the fear of not just being gay and bullied but of a disease they could die of. This period is important to know and I feel this book does it beautifully.
Plus, Madonna. She’s celebrated throughout this book for her boldness and her insight. I’ve never read such strong conviction as to why she’s such an important icon for the gay community. It’s glorious.
nora_mcgowan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
kaydenj's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
allanvdh's review
2.0
Good narration - weak story
The storyline is rather slim and not really enthralling at all. The different narrators and them changing up the story a bit are the only thing that makes you want to carry on listening.
The storyline is rather slim and not really enthralling at all. The different narrators and them changing up the story a bit are the only thing that makes you want to carry on listening.
dlberglund's review
4.0
It's 1989 in New York City, and Iranian-Canadian-American teenager Reza is petrified that if he admits he is gay, he will immediately get AIDS and die a horrible and painful death. So, of course, his first friends at his new school are out and proud lavender-haired Art, and Art's best friend Judy, whose Uncle Steven is a member of Act Up who happens to be living with AIDS. Reza shoves himself as far into the closet as he can while wondering how those three can be so fully themselves all the time. The story is told alternately in each of the 3 teen’s voices, as they navigate their new friendships, place in the world and high school, and proximity to both death and activism. There's a great deal of history and pain and love and Madonna in this book. Some of it is pretty heavy handed: just about all of the characters give long, heartfelt, and/or educational speeches that can be a bit over the top. And lots of what you think is going to happen, does. But there's SO MUCH heart and history (and Madonna) in this book that it's really worth the pain.
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Death, Excrement, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Vomit, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
salinsky's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.5
carjohnsxn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readingsunflower's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75