A review by lesbianfroglover
Golden Boy, by Abigail Tarttelin

challenging dark emotional informative reflective 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

4.5

I really love this book. It was sad, I mean completely heart wrenching, but I love a book that makes me uncontrollably sob while reading. While being sad it also explains a lot about being intersex and also the medical terms that come with it.
SpoilerWe can also see how Max's mum is embarrassed and wants her son to be her normal, perfect golden boy. Therefore she tries to keep Max's sex a secret. And she also does something unforgivable. Right before Max is about to fall asleep from the anesthesia for his abortion, he changes his mind; he wants to wait longer, he needs more time. His mother chooses to pretend not to hear this, putting her own agenda over her son's. She just wants his (and her own) life to continue smoothly. Although Max said he probably would've chosen to abort anyway it was cruel for his mother to not give him more time to even accept and realise what happened to him.

But I just really love this book. I read it for school but I probably would have read it on my own as well.
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