Scan barcode
A review by wetdirtreads
The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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
4.25
The Boy from the Mish is a gorgeous queer, Blak, YA romance – a coming-of-age story from the heart. While I wish all us queer mob had this book in our youth, my longing is outweighed by the gratitude that I feel knowing it’s in the hands of our young ones now, and will be for generations to come.
Gary’s storytelling is infectious. From start to finish, I was deeply invested in Jackson’s story. I whizzed through the book in a couple of days because I so desperately wanted to know what was next for Jackson and Tomas. I found myself saying I’d just read a chapter over my lunch break, and end up completely engulfed in the book for hours. (Whoops 🤪)
The book perfectly balances accessibility and complexity. Gary clearly and thoughtfully articulates the link between queerness, mobhood, and colonial violence (particularly regarding police and prisons) without sacrificing any nuance. Through this craftsmanship, he has produced a light-hearted, feel-good read that also manages to tackle distressing topics in a way that is neither reductive nor traumatising.
The Boy from the Mish is a carefully and beautifully crafted text that speaks to the importance of cultural empowerment and community care in mob healing. It combines magical storytelling, lived experience, and a rich cultural strength to create a powerful, honest, and healing expression of queer Blak joy.
If you haven’t already read this book, I hope you do very soon. It will make you giggle, it will make you giddy, and it will fill your body with excited anticipation. It will gently break your heart juuuust enough, and then mend it whole, sending a warm, cosy goodness rushing through your body.
(Review originally posted on instagram)
Gary’s storytelling is infectious. From start to finish, I was deeply invested in Jackson’s story. I whizzed through the book in a couple of days because I so desperately wanted to know what was next for Jackson and Tomas. I found myself saying I’d just read a chapter over my lunch break, and end up completely engulfed in the book for hours. (Whoops 🤪)
The book perfectly balances accessibility and complexity. Gary clearly and thoughtfully articulates the link between queerness, mobhood, and colonial violence (particularly regarding police and prisons) without sacrificing any nuance. Through this craftsmanship, he has produced a light-hearted, feel-good read that also manages to tackle distressing topics in a way that is neither reductive nor traumatising.
The Boy from the Mish is a carefully and beautifully crafted text that speaks to the importance of cultural empowerment and community care in mob healing. It combines magical storytelling, lived experience, and a rich cultural strength to create a powerful, honest, and healing expression of queer Blak joy.
If you haven’t already read this book, I hope you do very soon. It will make you giggle, it will make you giddy, and it will fill your body with excited anticipation. It will gently break your heart juuuust enough, and then mend it whole, sending a warm, cosy goodness rushing through your body.
(Review originally posted on instagram)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality