Book Review: Boys Don't Cry

Book Details

Author: Malorie Blackman

Paperback: 301 pages

Publisher: Corgi Children's (April 2011)

Summary:

In "Boys Don't Cry", bestselling author Malorie Blackman explores the unchartered territory of teenage fatherhood. You're waiting for the postman - he's bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist - a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it's your old girlfriend; and she's carrying a baby. Your baby. You're happy to look after it, just for an hour or two. But then she doesn't come back - and your future suddenly looks very different. Malorie's dramatic new novel will take you on a journey from tears to laughter and back again.

Review:

Rating: 5/5

Boys Don’t Cry is my first Malorie Blackman novel and I am in awe. This coming-of-age story is about a 17-year old boy, Dante who had his life planned out. He just received his A Level results from the University and set to study Journalism when his ex-Girlfriend shows up with a baby. She told him it was his and left it in his care.

His bright future suddenly becomes bleak and he didn’t know what to do with the baby who was dumped on him. I must admit, I hated him at first. He was quite an ass in treating Emma and questioning his paternity – but as a teenager who has his full life ahead of him, it was quite understandable. Blackman’s portrayal of a teen-father was very realistic. You can actually feel the denial, guilt, anger and confusion of his current predicament. You will witness how his anger dissipates, and he no longer thinks of himself and instead he thinks what is best for Emma and how he can become a good father.

Not only this, but there are family problems surrounding him as well. When his mother passed away because of cancer, his father was never the same again. He had a strained relationship with both his sons and he's not really good in expressing his emotion. Then there's Adam who lives with a family who is in denial of what he really is. I like his sunny disposition and his honest acceptance of himself. 


The fact that it is Dante (the father) who is left with the child made this book interesting. With hundreds of other YA novels having single (teenage) moms - this book stands out. We see how boys turned into men and how they can excellently cope with whatever life throws at them.

This does not only discusses teen-parenthood but it touches sensitive topics such as violence, homosexuality, post-partum depression, alcohol drinking, importance of safe sex and contraceptives and last but not the least, the value and significance of family. 

Told in alternating narrative between siblings Dante and Adam, Boys Don't Cry is touching tale of coming of age is a captivating and inspiring read for all ages.

Favorite Quotes

“Boys don't cry, but men do.” 

“The point is, you have family and friends who love you. You have a world out there just waiting for you to conquer it. You have a life that will be anything you make it. That's the point.” 

“A backup plan means somewhere in my head, I think I might fail and that word is not in my vocabulary. Plus I'm too talented to fail.” 

“The truth isn't going to bend itself to suit you.” 

“Sometimes the things you're convinced you don't want turn out to be the thing you need the most in this world.” 

“Five years off my life... 
I wondered with a wry smile, would people be immortal if they didn't have kids?” 

“Did you love Melanie?" asked Adam unexpectedly. 
There was no pause before I shook my head. 
"That's a shame," said Adam. 
"Why?" 
"Well, someone as special as your daughter should've been... made with love.” 

Book Review: I Know It’s Over

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Book Details

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 202 KB

Print Length: 274 pages

Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0375845674

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 23, 2008)

Book Summary

PURE. UNPLANNED. PERFECT. Those were Nick’s summer plans before Sasha stepped into the picture. With the collateral damage from his parents’ divorce still settling and Dani (his girl of the moment) up for nearly anything, complications are the last thing he needs. All that changes, though, when Nick runs into Sasha at the beach in July. Suddenly he’s neck-deep in a relationship and surprised to find he doesn’t mind in the least. But Nick’s world shifts again when Sasha breaks up with him. Then, weeks later, while Nick’s still reeling from the breakup, she turns up at his doorstep and tells him she’s pregnant. Nick finds himself struggling once more to understand the girl he can’t stop caring for, the girl who insists that it’s still over.

Book Review

I Know It’s Over, a story told from a boy’s point of view is quite refreshing for a change – good thing Nick has a voice that I could tolerate inside my brain.

I have never met a more sensitive, in love, angry, frustrated and confused protagonist as Nick. His summer was supposed to be PURE, UNPLANNED, PERFECT. Until the ex-girlfriend shows up in his front doorstep and tells him she’s pregnant.

I Know It’s Over deals honestly and threaded carefully in the reality of the problems of today’s teens: sex, divorce, teen pregnancy, sexuality, relationships, drugs and abortion. I like how C.K. Kelly Martin described Sasha and Nick’s first time – it wasn’t sugar coated with pleasure and nice feelings, instead it was awkward and uncomfortable for the both of them. It made them feel weird and uneasy after.

Sasha’s decision was a surprise – I don’t think it was the right one but the author rationalized it perfectly that you’d see the point she was making. She was selfish, in a way. But it was her life, she is going to live with the decision she will make for the rest of her life. It was a reality slap that a baby – although a blessing, it is also a responsibility. A responsibility that will by faced by two sixteen years old who are currently in school. Can they do it? Are they both of them ready to become good parents?

While other boys at the prime of their teens would run the opposite direction, Nick, stood firm in his ground and expressed his willingness to be a part of the pregnancy. This is one thing I admire most about him. I loved the way he love Sasha, it was raw, real, and intense but not to the point of obsession. He still wants her back, but somehow he was trying to grasp the fact that nothing is going to be the same again and that he needs to move on with life as well. He was a kind friend, being there for Nathan who was as confused as he is for a very different reason. There was Jillian, who was as problematic as him and wanted a distraction. She was a great listener for someone who is desperate to share his emotions.

I Know It’s Over’s ending was pretty amazing – it made my heart ache. It wasn’t the expected happily ever after – but you will forgive C.K. Kelly Martin because it was beautifully written that it’ll touch you. 

Favorite Quotes

“How many times can a person break your heart?” 

“Love does strange things to you sometimes. It can twist you into saying and doing things that you know you’ll regret and still, you do them.” 

“I wanted to tell his dad that Nathan was fine the way he was and that he was the one that needed to change. It made me glad to have my parents. If I told my dad I was gay, he'd probably just look scared and hand over more safe sex money."

Things never go wrong at the moment you expect them to. When you're completely relaxed, oblivious to any potential dangers, that's when bad things happen.

Chucha