The Buzz...About Books

Earlier this month, I picked up a pretty looking little novel called Golden Boy. The synopsis describes it as an exploration of gender and sexuality, but this book is so, so much more.

The titular golden boy is Max Walker. He's a bright, likeable teen with an adoring family, admiring friends and a reputation as an all around good guy. As typical as many parts of his life are, Max, however, is anything but ordinary.

Told in alternating perspectives, Golden Boy explores the complex legacies families share and hide. Max has spent his entire life simply accepting who he is – but acceptance doesn't always mean understanding. As he approaches his sixteenth birthday, he will be thrown into a whirlwind of emotions, labels and difficult decisions.

At its core, Golden Boy asks: who are you? What makes you who you are? And do you ever really know for sure?

I read this book in big, hungry gulps. Max's story is not only entirely unique to me, but is told in such vivid language that makes this novel hard to put down. There are parts of the story – mostly narration from his paren'ts – that really highlight the fear of making the wrong choices and somehow failing to protect the ones you love. "Life turned out differently from what I had predicted," Max's mother, Karen, reflects. "I'm not always the best paren't, but I try very, very hard."

Golden Boy is an emotional and gripping story that will be very hard to forget.

I look forward to Abigail Tarttelin's next book. Her style is definitely something that many readers will anticipate.

Don't forget to place a hold on Golden Boy and start reading!

Edit: May 7, 2014
It is probably important to note that there is a rather uncomfortable rape scene that unfolds pretty early on in this story. It is important to the plot, but this shouldn't stand as too much of a spoiler. Hopefully, you'll still be able to enjoy the rest of the story!