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There are currently 65 member reviews
for Golden Boy
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Beverly D. (Palm Harbor, FL)
a different perspective
This novel was very readable, almost compulsively so.I would call this a coming of self story. I liked the different voices forming the chapters so that each "side" of the story was being examined. What disappointed me was that I could see what was coming ...several of the plot twists were predictable. All in all, however, this was a good first effort. I believe this would be an excellent book club read.
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Lisa G. (Riverwoods, IL)
Golden Boy by Abigail Tartellin
I was ready to put this book down after 20 pages since I found it disturbing but decided to forge ahead and was glad I did and ended up reading it in one day. It is not a book for everyone, I would not recommend it to my book club or the friends I share book recommendations with but I was drawn in in the way I am with Discovery Health Channel programming. The characters were deftly drawn and the writing flowed. Every chapter was in the first person of a different character and easy to follow. Save for the first 20 pages I enjoyed it in the way I enjoy Jody Picoult's books. But I would wager many readers will not get past the beginning which is too bad. It is a beautiful coming of age story with a twist.
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Theresa R. (Sierra Madre, CA)
this was just ok
I had a really hard time getting into this book, but finally managed to finish it. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or the story. I just found myself not really caring about what was happening.
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Nancy F. (Carmel, IN)
Not my "cup of tea"
I have read a number of books on the issue of sexual identity. I was looking forward to reading this story as described. I felt the first third of the book was interesting however, the author's style of sharing the intimate internal conversations of all the characters was too much dialogue. I wanted plot to be to move faster and a desire for more interpersonal dialogue. I appreciate the importance of this topic and I do hope authors will continue to shed light on this important dilemma.
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Shelly B. (Staten Island, NY)
Golden Boy
I found this book wordy, overblown, and too long. I thought the author got very preachy especially towards the end. I understand she definitely had a message about gender, which I understand, although I disagree with her message. I have 4 grandchildren, a girl and three boys. I definitely see differences between the boys and the girl. More than she noted about Max. I think there is something inborn or pre-wired for most boys and girls, in my experience. I just think the message was too pushy.
The author's writing did not ring true, it was not age appropriate to Max, especially. For instance, in some chapters he was child like, and in others he was not. I found the language static, showy, overblown and pretentious, in most cases.
Although, I found two very lovely metaphors that I noted in my notes: "autumn summer's dying cousin" and "the raindrops race each other to the bottom (car window) of the glass" These were the best parts of the book.
Overall, I would not recommend this book. I would not use it for my book club discussion.
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Kathy M. (Neptune Beach, Florida)
Just couldn't wrap my head around this.
I really tried to like this book and I see that many people did. However, I simply could not get my head wrapped around the ridiculousness of this situation. Being in the social work field the idea that this circumstance of the duality of sexes would continue into adolescents was just not realistic. I can't see any parents allowing this to happen to their child. As far as young adult fiction I would say maybe but only if it is categorized as a fantasy or very unrealistic.
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Diane M. (Walden, NY)
golden boy
A story about a family trying to be perfect but holding a secret. Max, the "golden boy" - star athlete, handsome, intelligent - is intersex. A well kept secret until a childhood friend reveals it. What happens to the golden boy and his family afterwards is the basis for this story. I personally didn't like but it was a good story. I haven't read anything else like it. I would recommend only because someone might like it because of the theme.
