Boy Meets Boy [Paperback]

 

 

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Yup, for once the hype is real. Charming, wise, funny--you've heard it all before...but this time it's true. It's official: we're in the middle of a gay teen lit renaissance! Don't miss out.

Paul's life isnt exactly ordinary. He's a tenth-grader at a unique highschool, where the limits of reality are stretched far and wide. And as eccentric and diverse as his friends may be, they make him the person he is- life wouldn't be nearly as endearing without them. And then there's love. Love isn't easy for any of us- especially if you're living a life as whimsical as Paul's. But the bewilderment will be refined, and the love will be infinite as author David Levithan tells the story of how "Boy Meets Boy".
Paul lives in a world I could only dream about. I don't know what it feels like, but David Levithan definitely did a good job with the substitution of his words for the real thing. Paul, the main character, is like many of us, in a weird sort of way. He thinks too much, worries when he gets the chance and spends time over-analyzing every situation he's put in. But because he's put into such an erratic atmosphere, his life is hardly normal, and his friends define just who he is. Joni is Paul's best friend who has a jerk for a boyfriend- but she can't see that. Toni, his other best friend, is not allowed to leave his house unless his parents think he's going on a date... with a girl. Infinite Darlene is the homecoming queen and star quarterback. Paul's ex-boyfriend Kyle, who - after a bitter and harsh break-up where he acted like an idiot- decides that he was wrong, and perhaps he does need Paul. And then there's Noah. The one who makes Paul fall head over heels. He's keen, quirky and mysterious all at the same time, and this artist's favorite thing to do is paint music- yes, music. Though you may be thinking a life with friends like these may be just a little too bizarre, Paul fits right in.
Paul is gay- but, so what? Everyone knows. He's known since kindergarten when his very own teacher told him so, and he later learned that she was right. From then on- everything was open. Paul was the first openly gay third-grade class president, he formed a gay-straight alliance in grade six when he noticed the straight kids obviously needed their help ("the school dances could've easily been mistaken for a coop of pre-Thanksgiving turkeys", writes Levithan) and now in tenth grade is head of the committee for the school dance. True, this may all be a bit bizarre, but despite it's eccentricity, it makes you feel comfortable. It leaves you caught up in and wishing for a world with so little hate, and so much openness. Though this reality is fully functional in the novel, it doesn't quite exist here in real life. But Paul's flip-flops in and out of love makes the story believable and brings you back to earth a little. It reminds you that a world like this doesn't have to be fictional. This is why I believe that setting is one of the greatest things that Levithan achieved with this novel.
The second, but no less important, thing that was achieved in this novel was the writing style of David Levithan. Its nothing really particular, but to me, it stands out and I'm thinking many teens would feel the same way. His descriptions are just fabulous. He describes things in a way that makes it seem so usual, when it could be the most out-of-the-ordinary thing ever. He writes it as if "This is my life, this is my world and Im completely proud to share it with you, no matter how you may take it." Levithan takes the most complex situations, and writes them with such simplicity and compassion. You can't help feeling immersed in the world hes creating- and not just because the story is fantastic, but also because you feel a special connection to Levithan's words. He makes you want to think like him, and write like him. A novel like this changes your whole perspective of life, and love- and just by the way the author writes a paragraph. That's pretty impressive, if you ask me.
All in all, Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan is just a truly inspiring book. If this book does absolutely nothing for you, it will, at the very least, make you think. It makes you put your entire life in perspective. It attempts to straighten out some priorities, and helps you to observe the little things that were once unnoticeable. It teaches you that there can be noise in silence and that sometimes talking isn't going to get you anywhere. It tells you not to take heed to harsh comments- they're just words, and that nothing can ever come remotely close to taking the place of a best friend. And best of all, it teaches you that after everything, love is possible.

Paul is a high school sophomore who's gay. But that's no big deal, not to him or other students or his parents. In fact, it's been something that he and everybody else have known since Paul was in kindergarten. His town and his high school are places where everyone is free to be themselves. The star football quarter back is a drag queen and the cheerleaders all ride Harleys. Homophobia in a non-issue in this book, but that doesn't mean that life is perfect. Paul meets Noah in a bookstore and sparks fly. The two start dating and everything is heading in the right direction until Paul's ex, Kyle, reenters the picture. Kyle treated Paul horribly in the breakup and hasn't talked to him since. Now it seems that he is trying to make amends, and Paul allows himself to be pulled into Kyle's world of confusion. The result is detrimental to Noah and Paul's relationship. In the meantime other parts of Paul's life start falling apart. He gets into a fight with his best friend Joni and the two are no longer on speaking terms. His other best friend Tony is being held under lock and key by his parents who refuse to accept their son's sexuality; and suddenly it seems that everyone is wanting something from Paul. After some wise words from his friend Tony, Paul sets out to win back Noah and makes some important realizations in his life.

The best part of this book is how Levithan chose to make homosexuality a non-issue. Tony's parents are the exception rather than being the norm . The lack of homophobia doesn't mean all the characters are friends, it just means that life goes on as normal but everyone feels free to be who they are. This is one of the most important gay books to come along in awhile. (...)

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1.0 out of 5 stars Quality
While I have not had the chance to read this novel yet, I was very excited.
I am saddened though, because I purchased a copy a few weeks ago labelled "good" for quality... Read more

Published 18 months ago by J A McKay

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book
I loved this book. It was so good that I read it within two days only taking breaks to eat and sleep. Read more

Published on July 14 2004 by Amanda

5.0 out of 5 stars How do I get to this town?!?!
Levithan's simple and engaging writing style helps the story flow whimsically. The story itself is really quite standard, save the twist of being a "gay teen story. Read more

Published on April 11 2004 by Sarah L. Spalsbury

5.0 out of 5 stars Boy Meets Boy
This book is truly beautiful. Anyone can relate to the characters in some sense. Paul and Noah could be any couple. Read more

Published on April 10 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Worth Staying Up Late to Finish...
This book will steal your heart. Paul, the central character, lives in a town that represents the world as it should be, and as we all wish it could be. Read more

Published on Mar 14 2004 by rptrchic

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, fun, and hysterical!
David Levithan's quiet, wacky novel is an important debut from a writer who is destined for great things. Read more

Published on Jan 15 2004 by andrewjack

5.0 out of 5 stars Radiant pop song romance
Paul is a sophomore at a high school where the star quarterback is also a drag queen called Infinite Darlene. Read more

Published on Jan 9 2004 by blissengine

2.0 out of 5 stars lighthearted snooze
The immediate feel to this book is warmth and joy. You love all the fun, interesting characters and how life is grand. Then after about 50 pages, that wears off. Read more

Published on Jan 2 2004

2.0 out of 5 stars Average book
It appears that the author, who apparently works in publishing, found a niche to fill within the YA market, and went for it. Read more

Published on Dec 27 2003

3.0 out of 5 stars good but not genius
This is a thoroughly enjoyable, well-written book. However, it is not the work of genius that other reviewers seem to think it is. Read more

Published on Dec 10 2003

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