The Vast Fields of Ordinary
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4.7 • 282 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
WINNER OF THE ALA STONEWLL BOOK AWARD • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A young man on the brink of adulthood, grappling with a dead-end job and a crumbling family, finds solace in an unexpected romance.
“Fascinating and dreamy.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Bold. Engaging. Heartbreaking.”—Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of Crank
It’s Dade’s last summer at home in a suburban wasteland, and things are pretty hopeless. He has a crappy job, a “boyfriend” who treats him like dirt, and his parents’ marriage is falling apart. So when he meets the mysterious Alex Kincaid, Dade feels as if he’s finally experiencing true happiness. But real love has consequences, and its power soon sets in motion a tragic chain of events that will change Dade’s life forever.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This debut novel is deceptively quiet the story of a recent high school graduate, Dade, struggling to come out and yearning to get to college and away from his parents' marital troubles and stifling suburban peers. Yet in the same way that Sarah Dessen allows readers to lose themselves in the ordinary, Burd takes a familiar plot boy struggles with his sexuality, then meets a love interest who changes everything and makes it fresh. Dade's inner monologues and interactions with others feel real, and bear a poignant honesty (after shopping for college: "It occurred to me that these things made of plastic, glass, and metal would become the foundation for my new life"). With the arrival of Alex, Dade's first real boyfriend and one catalyst behind Dade's coming out, the story moves into sweet, romantic territory, which balances some of the deeper, more painful issues brewing in Dade's life (including his father's affair and his friend/ex-hookup Pablo's inner turmoil). The novel's one flaw is its unsatisfying ending, which feels both melodramatic and abrupt. Aside from this, Burd is an author to watch. Ages 14 up.
Customer Reviews
Simply wonderful!
Enjoyed this book very much. There are quite a few coming of age books about gay youth and this one stands out in my mind as one of the best. It made me smile, laugh, yearn and cry. Definitely recommend this title for anyone who is or knows someone who is gay.
Truly touching story. Looking forward to more books by Nick Burd.
Omg I wan a cry!
It's a wonderful book, with so many twists and turns it keeps your eyes glued to the book. I highly recommend it, great piece of work, and great for any lgbt teen.!!!!!
I love this book
I love this book for so many reasons, it explains the life of gay teens or at least how it could be and it's just amazing so read it.!!