Category Archives: Queer Fiction

Review: Karelia Stetz-Waters – Forgive me if I’ve told you this before

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Forgive me if I’ve told you this before
Karelia Stetz-Waters

Triinu attends a boring old highschool, with what you would consider typical bullies and mean principals. But it’s more than that – Triinu is gay, and in an exceedingly conservative town, that means that pretty much everyone can get away with targeting her.

The beginning of this novel filled me with a little apprehension. I didn’t love the opening paragraphs, and didn’t immediately connect with the protagonist. A few pages in though, and I was hooked, not wanting to step away from my desk. I loved that Triinu developed as a character, entirely intertwined through the novel. There were no moments of uncertainty, where I wondered how the text had gotten to this point. This is marketed as a coming-of-age story, and I have to say it is.

The painful self-discovery of Triinu might seem unrealistic to other people, who realised they were gay early. But Triinu doesn’t have that option – she hardly knows what being gay means! She needs to find who she is (which she does, in a round about fashion that I recognised), and then come to terms with it.

It was interesting that the colleges she applied for were out of state. I understood why, but at the same time, it’s the total opposite of what people in Australia do. The demographics of these are interesting – and the fear of rejection that Triinu feels is going to be familiar with other readers.

I am not familiar with Oregon, USA, where this is set. I know nothing of the culture, or its history. It doesn’t matter very much though, because the personal issues Triinu undergoes happen every day around the world. Additionally, the author has set her novel and also filled the reader in on the details they need to know of the (real) world.

I made a very rare exception to my print-novel only rule for reviewing, and I’m glad I did. This little beauty is well worth reading, and is humbling, believable and touching all at the same time. If my review doesn’t convince you to go read it, go read it anyway. It won’t be a waste of your time.

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goodreads_icon copyAmazon-Icon-e1335803835577-300x294 copybookdepository_icon copy5starReread Review Update 25-01-22: I reread this novel in pleasure. I now own a print version of it, and loved reading it. It felt almost like the first time again. I found myself wondering what Triinu was doing with her life now, that’s how real it felt to me.

Review: Julie Anne Peters – By the Time You Read This I’ll be Dead

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By the Time You Read This I’ll be Dead
Julie Anne Peters
Daelyn has tried to kill herself multiple times, and each time has failed. She’s got scars everywhere and can no longer talk, and doesn’t want to keep trying. Mix this with a boy who won’t give up on her and you get a poignant teenage novel.
You have to be in the right mood to read this novel I think. There are some great thought provoking moments, as well as the discussion questions at the end of the novel to consider. Novels like this should be in high school required reading.
The narrative is written so that you can’t feel too much of Daelyn behind it, which is the point – she has isolated herself from the world. Although the title of the novel suggests that this is written in a journal format – never fear, it’s not.
Although I was hankering after it when it first came out, I couldn’t say that this was one of my favourite Peters novels. It’s not bad, it’s a theme close to my heart, but it just lacks some of the pizzazz of the others. I don’t know what’s missing. Maybe it’s just that I expect queer novels from her, and this isn’t one of them. It’s definitely still about minorities.
Bullying is a problem which is becoming worse, not better, over time. Daelyn has suffered horribly, but indeed, she never did stand up for herself. It’s not really her fault though, although I’d love to know why she was fat in the first place. When I was in highschool, there was an obese girl who was bullied. I never really knew her that well though, and she moved schools because of the bullying. Kids are cruel.
I’d recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed Scars, The Burn Journals or anything else in that type of genre (coming of age / mental illness).

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Review: Julie Anne Peters – It’s Our Prom (So Deal With It)

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It’s Our Prom (So Deal With It)
Julie Anne Peters
I was so excited about this book coming out that I bought a hard copy. And then I got a hand signed book plate by Julie Anne Peters! Squee! There are few things I would get even vaguely fan-girl-y about, but this is one of them for sure.
Sadly, the book was a bit different to the others Peters has written, and I wasn’t as convinced by the characters as I usually am. This novel used the technique of splitting between Azure (a lesbian) and Luke (a bisexual) for perspective.
I liked Azure, and felt more in common with her. However, I didn’t get the same sense of her being super chatty from within her perspective as I did from Luke. Sometimes it seemed like she was a totally different person. Her relationship with her dad though was a very positive one, as was her pespective on not judging others (most of the time).
Luke was a character of contradictions for me. He seemed like he was very flamboyant, and that was why his brother hated him so much, but then it wasn’t all that clear because his brother did care in a strange way. And then there was his crush on Radhika, but then his play and everything at the same time. Not to mention it seemed like he never did homework!
Now to the storyline (a bit back to front I know). One word and one person: Prom, Radhika. Both Azure and Luke want to go to the prom with Radhika, but she doesn’t like either of them in that way (or does she), given that they have been friends for forever! I think I read somewhere that originally Radhika had a perspective as well, but that this was then removed from the book. A pity, I would have liked to hear a bit more from her.
The end of the novel was altogether too happy for my liking. Others who love that kind of ending will probably be satisfied though. The same goes for the school settings they find themselves in – it is amazing that everyone is so diverse and accepting. It’s not something that has happened in Australia yet as far as I can tell, but I’d love to see a real high school in the US that has it.
I could have given this book three stars, but then reconsidered up to four. I didn’t hate it, and it’s probably not a desperate reread for me in the same way that Keeping You a Secret is, but it was reassuring to read it.

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Review: Julie Anne Peters – Keeping You a Secret

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Keeping You a Secret
Julie Anne Peters
Holland is a typical senior – great grades, college aspirations and a steady partner. Everything changes one morning though when a new person at school who has transferred gets a nearb locker. Suddenly Holland’s life is changing, everything is falling apart.
7006711I’ve attempted to keep this review gender neutral, because some of the beginning of the book is based on suspense. I think I’ve failed, but for me, when I first started reading I didn’t know if Holland was male or female – I didn’t even know it was queer fiction! I suppose the cover should have given it away to me, but I can’t say I pay that much attention most of the time.
Holland is a good character. You feel along with Holland, you worry about Holland, you don’t know what is going to happen next! At the same time, Cece seems a little typical, in that she doesn’t want to share Holland with anyone else. It is remarkable the level of maturity shown by these two main characters – but perhaps getting a driver’s licence at 16 does that to US teens.
Something that irritated me about this book and also Scars, is that the two protagonists have a gift at drawing, and so are able to express themselves in that way. For someone like me, who has never been creative in that way it is difficult to connect with them in quite the same way.
One of the problems I have with this novel it the used of ‘she sneered’. Maybe it’s a big thing in the US, but every time I read it, I felt myself getting annoyed! And perhaps because I was unfamiliar with it I noticed it every time, and felt it was over-used.
One of the key things from this novel is that coming out is your own choice. It should happen when you feel ready, even if other people don’t feel that way. I can understand Cece’s misgivings about coming out in a homophobic environment, but sometimes you just have to do it, particularly if you are in love and young.
This has to be one of my most favourite YA queer books of all time. I love it. I can’t emphasise the way this book changed my life enough. Every time I read it, I pick up something new. This was the first book by Peters that I read, and it paved the way for the rest of the YA queer fiction I have read.
This is almost certainly teenage fiction only, sadly enough. I feel that most parents would not be comfortable with children reading this book, although I feel that perhaps I would have been ready to read this book at age 11. I think it’s likely that girls will be more excited to read this book. It’s an essential for people who have questions about their sexuality, or want to understand a queer person better. This book has a set of discussion questions in the back, so you can provoke quite a lively talk if required! Peters has a number of books for younger readers that I believe also comment on important things about life, if you love Peters as much as I do, but want to share it with someone younger.

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Review: Julie Anne Peters – She Loves You, She Loves You Not…

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She Loves You, She Loves You Not…
Julie Anne Peters

Alyssa has just moved back in with her birth mother. Abandoned by her father, but still keeping in touch with her half-brother and step-mother, she tries to make do in the back of beyond. She’s falling for Finn, but will she be able to hold down a job or will she just repeat the mistakes of the past.

9415955The plotline of this novel is relatively complex, because everything is revealed slowly. Too much of a synopsis would ruin the story. So go on, just go read it. I’ve included mainly my criticisms in this review. Really, the story is compelling, Alyssa is convincing, what more can I say?
This novel is another breathtaking fiction by Peters that fits in perfectly with her other books. I find it amazing how Peters can get inside the head of her protagonist even as an older writer. This novel is slightly longer than the nine others I own, and I did stay up past my bed time to finish reading it!
I found much of the text to be heartrending, and it left me on the edge of my seat, desperately reading on to find out what was going to happen next. I have to say it left me feeling somewhat unsettled, because I connected with Alyssa so much.
The flashbacks are very interesting, because they are written in 2nd person (you said, she said). It distances Alyssa from her memories, and initially confused me as to what they were about. They add depth to her character though, and I got used to them as the novel progressed.
The only other part of the novel that stood out to me as not really fitting in were the circumstances surrounding Jason. I also did notice an apparent typo on one of the pages, which I didn’t note down at the time, but will likely notice again on a second read.
It is a little Americanised by the geography that Alyssa encounters, and I certainly struggled with where things were. I ended up treating it as I would a fantasy novel, and just remembering things by where they were via driving/walking distance rather than their actual location. Another thing that reminded me of this was the fact that Alyssa can drive even though she is only 17. This gives her freedom that Australian teens don’t have (and given the problems Alyssa has with it, it’s probably a good thing!).
There is a set of discussion questions at the back – I’m curious to know whether Peters writes these herself, or they are something the publisher came up with. Nevertheless, it’s worth looking at them, as it can spark some interesting ideas. I’d love it if these books were taught as fiction in highschools, but while homophobia still exists, it’s an unlikely dream.
I’d recommend this book for ANY teenager, not just queer identifying ones. Everyone should be able to relate to the heartbreak and feelings of betrayal that Alyssa suffers. Queer teens will particularly enjoy the book.

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Review: Julie Anne Peters – Define ‘Normal’

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Define ‘Normal’
Julie Anne Peters

Antonia has signed up for additional peer counselling sessions – but she’s the normal one! Her peer, Jazz, seems to be anything but normal – piercings, weird clothes and tattoos. Somehow they have to begin to get along and work through the complex problems both bring to the conference table.

222525Antonia is a believable character. She’s unique in her own way, and not similar to any of Peter’s other characters. She has been managing virtually by herself with her two younger brothers for a long time, and yet she has to worry about getting into college and now trying to get a peer counselling session going with Jazz who doesn’t seem to be even vaguely interested in the idea.

Jazz seems a little overblown as a character – but then again, that is the type of person she is. I presumed she was the same age as Antonia, and so I find it hard to believe a 14 year old has tattoos or so much freedom. Maybe the rules are different in the USA where this book is written? Don’t let it put you off though – whether you’ve been the ‘punk’ that Jazz is, or you’ve noticed one in your classes, you’ll be able to relate.

Define ‘Normal’ doesn’t set out to define normal! But the characters certainly go through looking for normal, and finding the conventional descriptions of it lacking. It’s great to have a book that talks about problems, namely depression, that are usually pushed under the carpet.

The opening to this book is great, it will grab you, but not for the usual reasons. There are some twists in this book that you may or may not see coming. Every word counts, every word adds meaning to the story. I don’t think there are any throw away lines in the whole book. There are no extra descriptions, just pure good reading.

This book is a very quick read, I probably read it in less than 2 hours. That’s not to say it is an easy read in content terms – you will find it heart rending and probably uncomfortable to read in sections. There is no conclusive happily ever after, or even a traditional climax in my opinion, but it’s such good writing I didn’t care! And it certainly made the storyline ring true.

I’d recommend this book for teenagers and children. It raises some great discussion questions, and some important issues, such as adult depression and how children cope. As with all Peter’s other books, it contains a set of questions at the back for school English classes.

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Review: Julie Anne Peters – Luna

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Luna
Julie Anne Peters
‘Luna’ tugs at your heartstrings. It is told from the perspective of Regan, Luna/Liam’s younger sister. Luna longs to transition into being a girl full-time, yet society and her family doesn’t seem ready. In the end, Luna must do what is best for her, and so leave life open for Regan. Hit the jump for more…

 

316445Regan feels like Luna is sucking the life out of her own life. Luna is a girl born in a boy’s body. Regan has been covering for her sister for years, and yet no-one else seems to notice or care – they just think Luna is gay. In the end Regan is able to accept that Liam/Luna is different, but different is good and normal in a way.
Peters uses flashbacks wonderfully to enrich the narrative. I loved seeing just a little bit more about how Luna has been different from the start, it’s not something she has grown into. The novel tries to abolish the myth that being trans is something that people ‘choose’, when this isn’t the case at all.
I love this book. It’s a wonderful, non-threatening introduction to transsexual lifestyles. I wouldn’t say it was representative of what trans-people go through, and as it is told by the sister instead of Luna the impact is less. This makes it less confusing and confronting for the reader.
The ending leave you longing for more, but at the same time satisfied. The cover of the book is well worked in with the text (or the other way around). It’s pure craftsmanship! I felt like the butterfly had so little to do with the story, but really it does. Luna must emerge from her nighttime wanderings into the light of day to find her true self.
‘Luna’ is great reading, it should open the mind of any teenager reader. It’s written sympathetically, just like the rest of Peter’s works. Any teenager should read this, and maybe some adults too in order to open their minds. At the back of the novel are some questions for broadening discussions in a high school class setting, which are probably also worth thinking about.
I will be sure to review the rest of Peter’s novels! I have almost all of them on my shelves (which I just built more of) but am missing some of the most recent hard copy ones. They are all equally heartrending and painful, yet great reading at the same time.

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