A Million Quiet Revolutions
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Robin Gow's A Million Quiet Revolutions is a modern love story, told in verse, about two teenaged trans boys who name themselves after two Revolutionary War soldiers. A lyrical, aching young adult romance perfect for fans of The Poet X, Darius the Great is Not Okay, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe.
For as long as they can remember, Aaron and Oliver have only ever had each other. In a small town with few queer teenagers, let alone young trans men, they’ve shared milestones like coming out as trans, buying the right binders—and falling for each other.
But just as their relationship has started to blossom, Aaron moves away. Feeling adrift, separated from the one person who understands them, they seek solace in digging deep into the annals of America’s past. When they discover the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers who they believe to have been trans man in love, they’re inspired to pay tribute to these soldiers by adopting their names—Aaron and Oliver. As they learn, they delve further into unwritten queer stories, and they discover the transformative power of reclaiming one’s place in history.
Further reading on trans history is included in backmatter.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In three sections, Gow's (Our Lady of Perpetual Degeneracy, for adults) bittersweet novel in verse centers two rural 17-year-old trans boys in love navigating romance, family, and finding themselves as life tries to pull them apart. The boys celebrate their trans identities by renaming themselves Aaron and Oliver, after two trans soldiers who fought side by side during and possibly lived together after the Revolutionary War. Aaron, who is Puerto Rican, grapples with his conservative Catholic family's failure to accept his gender identity. Oliver, whose white, Jewish family is more supportive, is fascinated with the American Revolution—specifically the experiences of queer people at that time. But Aaron's family suddenly moves away from Kutztown, Pa., to Queens, N.Y., when the family priest's abuse of Aaron's brother is made public. Using the names and stories of the soldiers who inspired them, Aaron and Oliver communicate in the form of letters, texts, and imagined conversations, which alternate with Gow's fluid stream-of-consciousness verse. Though the dual points of view can be difficult to distinguish, sweet details (a sibling "writes little poems for you and leaves them in your shoes") and steadfast romance make for a compelling journey. Back matter includes an author's note and recommended reading list. Ages 14–up.
