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A review by cec_loves_to_read_books
The Brink by Holden Sheppard
4.0
It’s rare these days to read about masculinity without the other term that always seems to be just near by…toxic. When I started reading The Brink by Holden Sheppard I thought, ok, I see where this is headed; this is going to shine a light on toxic masculinity for sure BUT I was wrong.
It’s not at all about the toxicity of some masculine behaviours it’s about the violence and hurt young people inflict on themselves and sometimes others because of the constraints placed on young boys from the moment they can walk, speak and think. It’s about how being told to ‘more or less of a man’ can have long lasting and deep effects on a young man’s self-identity and feelings of worth and importance. It’s about how parents can do damage and disguise it as love or care and how the friendships of high school can make or break a person’s trajectory into adulthood.
As a mother of two sons and someone who taught teens for almost 20 years I think stories like this one are absolutely crucial to get into the hands of young people…kids need to see themselves and their worlds reflected in what they read (and watch). Lots of teen reads focus on fantasy worlds where the boys/men are other worldly or magical but I love Australian stories that show Aussie young people as they actually are in situations that are relatable and authentic.
The Brink is not for the faint-hearted; it’s gritty, raw and honest and will give your blood pressure a real roller coaster ride but it’s a ride definitely worth taking.
It’s not at all about the toxicity of some masculine behaviours it’s about the violence and hurt young people inflict on themselves and sometimes others because of the constraints placed on young boys from the moment they can walk, speak and think. It’s about how being told to ‘more or less of a man’ can have long lasting and deep effects on a young man’s self-identity and feelings of worth and importance. It’s about how parents can do damage and disguise it as love or care and how the friendships of high school can make or break a person’s trajectory into adulthood.
As a mother of two sons and someone who taught teens for almost 20 years I think stories like this one are absolutely crucial to get into the hands of young people…kids need to see themselves and their worlds reflected in what they read (and watch). Lots of teen reads focus on fantasy worlds where the boys/men are other worldly or magical but I love Australian stories that show Aussie young people as they actually are in situations that are relatable and authentic.
The Brink is not for the faint-hearted; it’s gritty, raw and honest and will give your blood pressure a real roller coaster ride but it’s a ride definitely worth taking.