Title: David Inside OutAuthor: Lee Bantle
Age Group: Older Teens
# of Pages: 184
My Rating: 4/5
He can't be. He isn't. But he is.
David Dahlgren is your seventeen years old running addict. And he has a secret. He likes someone. And this someone is his cute teammate on his track team, Sean. Every time he is around, David aches for him. But he is a guy, so is even possible for anything to happen between them?
To suppress these feelings, David tries to be as non-homosexual as possible. He dates Kick, a female friend of his, and tames himself to stop thinking inappropriate thoughts by snapping a rubber band against his wrist. But whenever Sean is around, he can not help but think and feel things.
When David's fantasies finally come true, life may not be so bad after all. Until he realizes that Sean prefers to stay away from the gay image. With so many emotions boiling inside of him, what should David do?
I have to admit, I was always a little uncomfortable with the idea of homosexual people. I accept them for who they are but if they are to display public affection, it is weird. So when Henry Holt InGroup announced that May's book was about a gay person trying to find himself, I was not so sure if I would like it. Pleasantly to know, it is pretty good novel.
Even though David was a boy, it felt like I was reading through a girl's perspective which made it easier for me to relate to. It was quite different from your usual teen romance novels and added to the taste. I felt sorry for character but I understood what Sean was going through too. To be oneself can cause a lot of problems sometimes.
Usually I'm all about the description but Bantle's brief scenes worked well with the plot. It's a nice read with the protagonist trying to embrace his true identity. I definitely recommend this novel because after reading David Inside Out, I appreciate homosexuals a lot more than I used to. It gives more insight on what it is like to be discriminated against, even in today's society. David Inside Out is a new novel with a gentle voice that cries to be heard amongst many and has a valuable lesson for all, no matter who you are. There are sexual scenes, so do not read if you are uncomfortable with such.
Review ARC copy provided by Henry Holt and Company.
15 comments:
Wow it sounds really good!
Yea, it's the first novel I've read about a gay person. It's pretty well done. =)
Really appreciate your honesty here. Good review and I'm very interested in this book.
I know of other titles if you're interested. All LBGTQ doesn't focus solely on relationships. I hope you branch out and read more.
I'm interested in this one, but I do like LGBT titles.
@susan: Thank you =)
@Liviania: Never really picked up any LGBT titles ><
Wow this sounds like a really good book! I love the topic of young gay teenagers, it's both sad and impowering! Love your blog by the way!
Sounds excellent! Looking forward to reading it. :)
It's good to know this book was able to get you more comfortable about the whole idea.
I'm not sure if I'd like reading this (romance of any sort is not my favourite topic), but I know a few people who should.
This books sounds great!
This book sounds great. Books involving gay people interest me.
I haven't read many GLBT-themed books (likely because I mostly read sf/fantasy) but this one sounds really great!
I wanna read it!!!!!!!! I do I really really really really do XD. It sounds really really really good :).
This books sounds great. I need to get my hands on a copy fast!
sounds like a good coming out book. look forward to reading it.
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