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Title: Two Boys Kissing
Audiobook Performer: David Levithan
Publisher: Knofp Books for Young Readers/Random House
Genre: Young Adult- Contemporary Fiction, LGBT, Romance
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Source: audiobook via public library/OverDrive – review policy here.
Synopsis via Goodreads:
New York Times bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS.
While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.
While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.
This book evoked so many emotions in me while giving voices to gay men of the past (hence the Greek Chorus of "we") and giving fire to the 21st century gay voice. Levithan's prose is presented in way that it reads like poetry. The feelings are drawn from the pacing and sentence structure which left the impact of song lyrics and I wanted to play on repeat all day. Without the disruption of chapters we follow the Greek Chorus and cheer each boy on as they live one day at a time.
"Things are not magical because they've been conjured for us by some outside force. They are magical because we create them."
There are a lot of characters! All of them unique, with an equally heart-warming story of their own, but I got easily confused when the story switched to a new character and would have to rewind and get it straight in my head. While Harry and Craig are a focal point in the story, my favorite couple was easily Avery and Ryan who meet at an alternative LGBT prom and spend their next 48 hours sharing their stories and exploring town. The growth of the characters is graceful and reinforced by Levithan's narration reminding you that these boys are just like any other teenage couple exploring the possibility of a relationship. The most heartbreaking story for me is Cooper's. Cooper's journey is so real that it hurts. It hurts because we know it to be true, thanks to mainstream media, and it hurts because we've all experienced rejection regardless of sexual orientation. Cooper's story is able to demonstrate how this rejection influences youth in America, an increased sense of hopelessness, and a solid cry for help as a human. The Greek Chorus watches each character from above commenting on their own experiences during the AIDS crisis of the 80's, providing a voice of encouragement to each young man so we know they are not alone, and highlighting a progressive gay history for the future.
"We wish we could show you the world as it sleeps. Then you'd never have any doubt about how similar, how trusting, how astounding and vulnerable we all are."
More than anything, Two Boys Kissing is able to deliver an important message. We are all people first. The underlying themes are not unique (rejection, betrayal, hate, love, family) but are present to remind us that sexual orientation or gender identity does not make one less human. We are people first and we all feel. The level of humanity in each storyline churned out smiles, tears and laughter with each passing minute. When the tape stopped I found myself rewinding a few minutes to make sure that was the end because I was not ready to let go.
5 Stars: I cannot stress how much I loved this. I loved it so much that it hurts. Read it and share it. This is a great discussion book for a family, a group of friends, teenagers and adults who work with teens.
It goes without saying that this is a must read for gay youth
because in the end we always want to know we're not alone.
Random Question for the masses:
Does anyone have a discussion guide for Two Boys Kissing?
Does anyone have a discussion guide for Two Boys Kissing?
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