Konigsberg,
Bill. Openly
Straight. Scholastic/Arthur Levine
2013
320p
ISBN 978-0-545-50989-3 hs Hardback VG-BN
Realistic fiction
Tired of being known as “the gay kid”, Rafe Goldberg
decides to assume a new persona when he enters an elite prep school. Konigsberg’s first novel, Out of Pocket, also explored LGBT
themes. Readers who enjoyed
that book, or John Green or David Levithan’s treatments of LGBT themes, will
also enjoy Openly Straight. Rich
characterization, even (or especially) in secondary characters, make this a
memorable volume. The thoughtful
exploration of labeling and self-perception is sure to provide a springboard for lively
discussions.
Rafe is from Boulder, Colorado. He is openly gay and he’s been out since eighth grade. In this liberal setting, Rafe’s sexuality is a non-issue for his family and friends. His parents encourage Rafe to accept speaking engagements to advocate tolerance. He plays soccer, skis, and enjoys writing. Rafe fits in, but he longs for a role as “Rafe -- a regular guy,” rather than “Rafe -- that gay guy.” So when Rafe transfers to an all-male east-coast preparatory school, he assumes a new persona as “openly straight.”
Although the boarding-school setting is somewhat stereotypical, Rafe adjusts to his new environment with a wry sense of humor. Rafe relishes his role as one of the guys. He likes fitting in as “just” Rafe. Everything seems to be going well, until Rafe falls in love with Ben. The two explore their friendship-possible-romance as Ben tries to come to terms with feelings that, until he met Rafe, he had no clue were even a possibility. The characters exhibit candid voices dealing with uncomfortable situations and the complications of coming to terms with recognizing and being one’s true self.
Rafe is an engaging, authentic character. He isn’t so much pretending to be straight, as he simply fails to mention his homosexuality to anyone. It is a case of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” with Rafe predictably being outed and the resulting outrage and recriminations of his peers. Since Rafe is secure in his sexuality, this fallout is not as devastating as it might be for a less confident teen who does not have the fallback of Rafe’s supporters in Colorado.
Rafe is from Boulder, Colorado. He is openly gay and he’s been out since eighth grade. In this liberal setting, Rafe’s sexuality is a non-issue for his family and friends. His parents encourage Rafe to accept speaking engagements to advocate tolerance. He plays soccer, skis, and enjoys writing. Rafe fits in, but he longs for a role as “Rafe -- a regular guy,” rather than “Rafe -- that gay guy.” So when Rafe transfers to an all-male east-coast preparatory school, he assumes a new persona as “openly straight.”
Although the boarding-school setting is somewhat stereotypical, Rafe adjusts to his new environment with a wry sense of humor. Rafe relishes his role as one of the guys. He likes fitting in as “just” Rafe. Everything seems to be going well, until Rafe falls in love with Ben. The two explore their friendship-possible-romance as Ben tries to come to terms with feelings that, until he met Rafe, he had no clue were even a possibility. The characters exhibit candid voices dealing with uncomfortable situations and the complications of coming to terms with recognizing and being one’s true self.
Rafe is an engaging, authentic character. He isn’t so much pretending to be straight, as he simply fails to mention his homosexuality to anyone. It is a case of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” with Rafe predictably being outed and the resulting outrage and recriminations of his peers. Since Rafe is secure in his sexuality, this fallout is not as devastating as it might be for a less confident teen who does not have the fallback of Rafe’s supporters in Colorado.
Summary: Tired of being known as “the gay kid”, Rafe Goldberg decides to assume a new
persona when he enters an elite prep school. Rich
characterization make this a memorable volume.
The exploration of labeling and self-perception is sure to provide a
springboard for lively discussions.
Sexuality-Fiction,
Self-awareness-Fiction --Hilary
Welliver
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