Different for Boys
-
-
4.8 • 5 Ratings
-
-
- $12.99
Publisher Description
Friendship, masculinity, sex—Anthony Stevenson has a lot of questions. Is it different for boys who like boys? A poignant and frank story filled with meta-humor by renowned author Patrick Ness. Anthony “Ant” Stevenson isn’t sure when he stopped being a virgin. Or even if he has. The rules aren’t always very clear when it comes to boys who like boys. In fact, relationships of all kinds feel complicated, even with Ant’s oldest friends. There’s Charlie, who’s both virulently homophobic and in a secret physical relationship with Ant. Then there’s drama kid Jack, who may be gay and has become the target of Charlie’s rage. And, of course, there’s big, beautiful Freddie, who wants Ant to ditch soccer, Charlie’s sport, and try out for the rugby team instead. Ant’s story of loneliness and intimacy, of unexpected support and heart-ripping betrayal, is told forthrightly with tongue-in-cheek black-bar redactions over the language that teenagers would actually use if, you know, they weren’t in a story. Award-winning author Patrick Ness explores teen sexuality, friendship, and romance with a deft hand in this structurally daring, illustrated short novel.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ness (Burn) cheekily utilizes fourth wall–breaking meta-humor and redacted curse words, derogatory language, and descriptions of sexual acts to craft an affecting novella that explores sexuality and toxic masculinity. Fifteen-year-old Ant Stevenson and his best friend Charlie Shepton have been "goofing around" sexually. Though their mutual arrangement is meant to help them blow off steam, Ant is left wondering why he so desperately wants to kiss Charlie, despite it being against their agreed upon rules, which state that kissing "would make us gay." When a new classroom setup seats Ant and Charlie with drama kid Jack, who everyone assumes is queer, Ant wrestles with complex affections for Charlie and fledgling romantic feelings for Jack. Ant is an immediately likable protagonist, whose efforts to sort out his desires while maintaining relationships with classmates is admirable and empathetic. Ness delivers an authentic-feeling story that interrogates the idea that teens are "too young to read about the stuff we actually do." Black-and-white pencil illustrations by Bendix provide an expressive complement to concise, sensitive, and thought-provoking text in this un-put-downable, easily devoured read. Characters are assumed white. Ages 14–up.
