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cateemma's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Dysphoria
rileyswan's review against another edition
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
Unfortunately, bookish lesbian scholarship kids with big hair and no athletic ability don't fit the mould of the ideal Mountford girl. Even more unfortunately, I am a bookish lesbian scholarship kid with big hair and no athletic ability.
Dancing Barefoot is a marvel. The witty, relatable narration of nerdy lesbian, Patch, brings you in from the first sentence. Don't get me wrong, she's a mess — but she's the kind of mess you can't help but root for. She makes mistakes and screws up friendships, but she also takes just criticism on the chin, and takes time to be a rowdy teen before maturing just a little bit.
It was so freeing reading about her best friend, Edwin, who's a trans guy of colour, being able to medically transition in high school! His story was also a little messy, but in the exact joyous way our community seeks in modern fiction.
And don't get me started on Evie... Ugh, a legend! She's gorgeous, and kind, and she knows what she wants (even if she struggles to go for it). She's the perfect love interest in all her imperfections, and every interaction she shares with Patch is sweet and real, no matter the context. And there's a lot of contexts! It was admirable how naturally Alice Boyle was able to embed themes of blossoming friendship, burning attraction, melancholy pining, unbridled teenage sexuality, and blatant romantic adoration all into one relationship.
As an Australian non-binary lesbian, this book spoke to me in ways nothing else has. From the Aussie culture and everyday life of being poor, to the unabashed portrayals of lesbianism and trans identity, and of course the dumpster fire that is a teenager's life, Dancing Barefoot brought every beloved element of a classic YA contemporary together, and out came a masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Blood, Vomit, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racism, Transphobia, Outing, and Colonisation
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