Review by Booklist Review
British author Green (Gay Club! 2023) asserts that his latest novel--about two adorable 16-year-old boys falling in love in England in 1994--is rooted in reality. Still, a dollop of magic intrudes when Electra, a beautiful woman on a poster, comes to life and begins offering protagonist Jamie sage advice. In addition to magic, there are meta elements as Jamie and Green break the fourth wall by addressing readers directly; Green's comments are typically found in the many amusing footnotes that adorn the text. Happily, all these literary bells and whistles don't in any way compromise the success of the carefully plotted novel with its complex, fully realized, highly empathetic characters. Who Jamie's boyfriend is and how the two meet will not be revealed here; suffice it to say it involves two books: Wildflowers of Great Britain and Aidan Chambers' classic gay novel Dance on My Grave. The novel takes a dark turn when it begins to explore terrible homophobia (both boys are attacked). Will their relationship survive? Though set in England in 1994, the book is highly relevant to contemporary American readers, who will recognize the current rampant homophobia here and the attendant importance of fine books like this one.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Section 28--a law which prohibited the "promotion of homosexuality"--was still in effect in this poignant 1994 Lincolnshire, England--set queer romance by Green (Heartbreak Boys). When sensitive and intelligent 16-year-old Jamie Hampton reluctantly takes his school librarian's suggestion to read Wildflowers of Great Britain, he never anticipated that it would be a "love story about two teenage boys." Moreover, another boy has anonymously written, "I feel like this too" in the margin, prompting Jamie to respond to this kindred spirit. As the teens communicate via the book, Jamie determines to meet his secret pen pal. He soon learns that his mystery correspondent is Rob West, the son of a homophobic politician. After the "illegal" work is discovered, Jamie and Rob attempt to "vanish the book" and protect themselves. Though their actions get them suspended--and likely outed--the pair combat the hatred they witness with their burgeoning feelings. Jamie's chatty narration--he peppers the story with amusing footnotes--and the protagonists' bravery in taking risks to "speak the truth and fight for love" boost this affirming teen romance about "being who you want." Characters cue as white. Ages 12--up. (May)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A gay teenage boy in England finds love and purpose. It's 1994 in small-town Lincolnshire, and 16-year-old Jamie Hampton daydreams about close, intimate male friendship. He doesn't really think of himself as gay until a perceptive school librarian gives him a book--Wildflowers of Great Britain--that cleverly conceals a gay love story inside its innocuous cover. Such books are illegal thanks to Section 28; this legislation prevents state schools from teaching "the acceptability of homosexuality" or "promoting homosexuality." When he starts reading, Jamie finds notes from an anonymous reader in the margins of the book ("I feel like this too. …Anyone else?"), which sparks a correspondence and then a romance. What could be a standard coming-out-under-fire story is distinguished by some unique narrative choices, such as stage directions and parenthetical asides to an off-page editor. Regular footnotes add additional information and levity: "* 'The teenage characters in this YA novel behave like teenagers! I, an adult, would never behave like this! One star.' (Inevitable Amazon review)." As is often the case with teenagers, however, the characters do sometimes evince great maturity. Blurring the line between fiction and memoir, this novel, which is anchored by '90s cultural references, is a throwback to a time that feels familiar today, despite the characters' hopes that things will get better. Cast members are cued white. A story connecting the queer past to the present with optimism and humor. (author's notes, resources, conversation between the author and David Levithan) (Fiction. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
