Invisible Boys

Contains sensitivities such as homophobia, suicide, violence and mature themes
Invisible Boys
Written by Holden Sheppard
Contemporary, LGBT, Mental Health, Australian
344 Pages
Published October 1st 2019
Thank you to Fremantle Press
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★★★★★
In a small town, everyone thinks they know you. Charlie is a hardcore rocker, who's not as tough as he looks. Hammer is a footy jock with big AFL dreams, and an even bigger ego. Zeke is a shy over-achiever, never macho enough for his family. But all three boys hide who they really are. When the truth is revealed, will it set them free or blow them apart?

Invisible Boys is a raw, confronting YA novel, tackling homosexuality, masculinity, anger and suicide with a nuanced and unique perspective. Set in regional Western Australia, the novel follows three sixteen year old boys in the throes of coming to terms with their homosexuality in a town where it is invisible and so are they. Invisible Boys depicts the complexities and trauma of rural gay identity with painful honesty, devastating consequence and, ultimately, hope.
In the small rural town of Geraldton in Western Australia, boys are raised on toxic masculinity with a stoic and emotional detachment. Whether you're the alluring and mysterious musician, the overachiever or attractive athlete, your worth is valued by your achievements and success. There is no room for tolerance within the draconian Catholic School community, boys are manipulated and forged by their faith, threatened by authority for daring to push societal boundaries.

Musician Charlie Roth has been ostracised by his friends and community after being caught in a compromising position with a married man, unbeknown to Charlie. Geralton is a small town thriving on intolerance and for Charlie Roth, home offers no respite with his neglectful mother and her layabout boyfriend resorting to insults and verbal abuse of the vulnerable adolescent. Beneath Charlie's lackadaisical facade, is a young man who is still mourning the death of his father and a community determined to label Charlie as less than human.

Zeke Calogero is an overachiever, from a traditional Sicilian family and devout Catholics. Zeke hides his sexuality, identifying as gay and covertly watching gay pornography to relieve tension and suppress feelings he could never discuss with his parents. When he is caught masturbating, his parents insist he is merely curious and that Charlie Roth is responsible for these impure thoughts. Although Zeke doesn't want to disappoint his parents, he also can't rely upon his waning faith which promotes abstinence and that homosexuality is immoral.

Kade Hammersmith is an athlete and the epitome of toxic masculinity, following the path his father blazed and determined to be drafted into the Australian Football League. Young men revere him, young women adore him and with the encouragement of his father, his sexual prowess is only secondary to his sporting career. Kade's life is a facade. Although he appears to be the straight, masculine young man who's sexuality active and applauded for being promiscuous, he finds men attractive and struggles with his sexuality. Kade knows that being gay in his community is seen as being less than male, he's seen what happened to Charlie Roth and surely this is only a phase. Surely.

The brighter you shine on the outside, the darker you burn within.

Three young men, bound by their bigoted and homophobic community and finding solace within one another. Invisible Boys is monumental. Young men who endure in silence, who suffer at the hands of religious zealots and toxic masculinity, pressured to hide their sexuality for fear of being ostracised or labelled as less than. These boys represent our brothers, friends, neighbours and young men without a voice. Young men who are raised to appear void of emotion and anything less is a weakness. Small town prejudice confines young men to silence, often low socioeconomic communities offer no means to escape which can lead to mental illness and thoughts of suicide. Suicide remaining the leading cause of death for young Australians with many more who attempt to end their lives. Invisible Boys will ignite discussion of how toxic masculinity effects young men and how Australia as a community need to stop accepting the boys will be boys mentality.

The narrative is confrontational and incredibly important for young queer men to recognise themselves within the pages, their lives and experiences. It's written with authenticity and sincerity, unflinching and unabashed Australian young adult literature at its finest. Simply brilliant.

16 comments

  1. Oh wow, this sounds amazing. I really need to read this. I love that it's tackling the "boys will be boys" mindset, toxic masculinity, and even how religion can suppress people into hiding who they are. It sounds like a very intense, but well done book, and I'm so glad you told me about it. I'm adding this to my wish right now. Thanks, Kelly!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Holden Sheppard is such a phenomenal author Lauren. Invisible Boys is a book that will ignite discussion and raise awareness of how many young men endure in silence. The authors note was also really touching and I could see him in each of the characters which only endeared me to these characters more.

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  2. gosh you've been reading a lot of emotionally but important to discuss books lately. This looks positively heartbreaking in a lot of aspects. What a lovely review.

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    1. I've had such a great run with books lately Lily, this is definitely one of the most important reads I've read. It's so important for young men to see themselves within the pages of books and especially in Australian literature where diversity is lacking in so many areas. I hope readers get on board with Invisible Boys and pick up a copy, it'll be one of the best purchases you make this year.

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  3. This sounds amazing Kelly! There aren't enough books like this around.

    Karen @ For What It's worth

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    1. Couldn't have said it better myself Karen. While I don't want to minimise the experiences of youths living in large cities, I can imagine that with small town homophobia and bigotry, often there's no means for young people to escape or find support. As a country, we desperately need to have these conversations and promote inclusive and supportive environments.

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  4. Sounds intense and the idea that they are forced to live under those circumstance makes me sad. Sounds like the author did a phenomenal job. Great review!

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    1. Thank you! It's sad and incredibly frustrating that we still have not only queerphobes but in Australia now, the government are passing legislation that will allow people to discriminate under religious beliefs. So bigots and queerphobes will be able to spread hate and hide behind their religion. It's absolutely disgusting.

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  5. It's nice to see books like this addressing the toxic masculinity that seems so prevalent. Glad this was good!

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    1. It's such an important discussion Greg and I'm thankful books like Invisible Boys exists for young men to feel as though they're seen and they matter.

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  6. This sounds like such a powerful and timely read. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne and I couldn't agree more. I hope you can pick up a copy, I think you'll really enjoy this one.

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  7. This sounds brilliant, and timely and emotional. I am truly loving books like this that are tackling how boys grow up -- in this case in regional Australia -- and being gay (or different in other ways) can mean to young men (and women) in this environment. Thoughful review as always Kelly!

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    1. These stories are so incredibly important aren't they. Australian young adult really seems to be leading the way by tackling these very real issues that effect young men and it's so wonderful to see diverse representation making such an impact with readers as well.

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  8. This book sounds so intense, and so so so important.
    I think this is a book that will likely make me be angry, cry, and angry cry on behalf of these boys.
    Toxic masculinity is horrid, and I can only begin to imagine the struggles these boys go through.
    Your review is so lovely, Kelly. I'm adding this to my wish list asap!

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    1. It's amazing Star and so incredibly hopeful as well. It's been one of my favourites this year and would love to see what you think of it.

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