The Dangerous Art of Blending In
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4.6 • 5 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Seventeen-year-old Evan doesn’t know where he fits in. He loves his family, but is terrorised by his abusive mother and confused by his father's silence. He has friends, but on of them - Henry - has become distractingly attractive, and seems interested being more than just a friend.
Oh, and yes, Evan kissed a boy this summer.
As things with Henry heat up and the violence escalates, Evan has to decide how to find his voice in a world where he has always survived by being silent.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
High-school senior Evangellos "Evan" Panos, who emigrated to the U.S. from Greece at age four, lives in inner turmoil, keeping two secrets from his friends: he's gay (which he sort of wants to reveal) and he is being abused by his violent, obsessively religious mother (which he absolutely does not want known). Surmelis's debut novel delves deeply into Evan's raw torment as he struggles with wanting to be openly himself and holding onto his secrets. Suspense builds as Evan's inability to confront his strong attraction to his best friend Henry threatens that long relationship, and he grows increasingly unwilling to tolerate his volatile mother's physical and emotional cruelty (witnessed by his loving but passive father). Evan, a gifted artist, and his father are both highly credible characters, though his mother at times seems over the top (despite a revealing backstory), and Henry and his family are a little too good to be true. Several explosive scenes bring relief from the growing tension; readers will yearn for Evan to achieve the freedom, happiness, and love he deeply desires. Ages 13 up.)
