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A review by itac2i
Lie with Me by Philippe Besson
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book, recounts an emotional and sexual love affair between two teenage boys in 1984. It is unimaginably real, and raw, and full of the emotions of youth. Of first love.
In this book, you read of Phillipe’s intense yearning for another boy by the name of Thomas. In spite of believing his desire is one sided, Thomas and him end up having an affair, that seemed only sexual in nature.. until it was just more, for the both of them.
Phillipe goes on to recall this entire encounter and this boy into his adult life, never forgetting this relationship that changed him even as an adult. He never forgets of this boy named Thomas.
This book captures a real and uniquely raw queer experience, and all of the emotions that come with it back in a time when being queer wasn’t something that was possible for just anyone. How someone can suppress such feelings and queerness, and the shame that it causes them to carry. Even without these things being bluntly described it is understood in the context of the words written in this book.
Reading this as queer person myself, this book was very easy to relate to and feel in my very core. Not only the queer aspects, but also the fervent amount of passion and infatuation one feels in their youth. It really hit me a little too hard in the heart. What an emotionally powerful story encapsulating a real, and harder side of the queer experience.
4.5 ⭐️.
In this book, you read of Phillipe’s intense yearning for another boy by the name of Thomas. In spite of believing his desire is one sided, Thomas and him end up having an affair, that seemed only sexual in nature.. until it was just more, for the both of them.
Phillipe goes on to recall this entire encounter and this boy into his adult life, never forgetting this relationship that changed him even as an adult. He never forgets of this boy named Thomas.
This book captures a real and uniquely raw queer experience, and all of the emotions that come with it back in a time when being queer wasn’t something that was possible for just anyone. How someone can suppress such feelings and queerness, and the shame that it causes them to carry. Even without these things being bluntly described it is understood in the context of the words written in this book.
Reading this as queer person myself, this book was very easy to relate to and feel in my very core. Not only the queer aspects, but also the fervent amount of passion and infatuation one feels in their youth. It really hit me a little too hard in the heart. What an emotionally powerful story encapsulating a real, and harder side of the queer experience.
4.5 ⭐️.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Suicide