The second Will has depression, but he’s dealing with it, and he’s gay but he doesn’t want anyone to know that – not because he’s ashamed of it but because it’s no-one else’s business. This is putting a serious strain on the only real friendship he has, with Maura, because she really really wants him to admit it. But he does have Isaac to chat with online and that gets him through the day.
Both stories are told with humour and realism. They have serious stuff to contend with and there are dark moments, but this isn’t overall a dark book. It has some romantic storylines but for the most part it’s about friendship, which, after all, tends to last longer when you’re 16.
It’s a beautifully told, just the right level of sentimental, relatable story because the big issues here are universal ones: anxiety, self-awareness, honesty. It’s great to read a book with gay teenage characters in which their being gay isn’t a big deal (or not for the most part, at least; there is a little name-calling). And ditto depression – Will has his medication and his coping mechanisms long before the book opens.
This was an enjoyable quick read. Maybe I’ll finally give in and read The Fault in Our Stars and other titles by these authors.
Published 2010 by Dutton Books.