Enough of Boy Meets Girl

It was at a book sale that I came across David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy, the title intrigued me, because typically one would expect Boy Meets Girl or Girl loses Boy. The fact that it was a book explaining the love of two gay teens was interesting. I’ve never gone to a school or been in a city where homosexuality was so accepted, and Levithan puts us in a time period with social acceptance – something that everyone strives for today. This is a story of how Paul meets Noah, who changes Paul’s life, but not without the complications of dealing with a Darlene, the homecoming queen and star quarterback, and losing his best friend Tony to a boy that she doesn’t belong with.

Paul is the relatable character and the reason that makes this such a perfect book. Whenever you are feeling down or feel like no one does anything as sweet as you, you’ll be able to look back at feel the emotions Paul did, because he is gay and you may be straight does not mean you cannot relate; besides Love is universal, we all encompass it. Paul goes through the fights with the best friend, struggling with another who has religious parents, and falling for someone new, as Paul’s ex (who has a complicated and interesting story of his own) realizes he wants to be with Paul again; many events that we all may experience.

Most of us who have really crushed on someone or have fallen in love know how it feels to want to spend a lot of time with that individual. Paul and Noah undergo their love in the most subtle ways that we may even relate to, like scheduling when to pass notes to each other and who’s locker to meet at during passing periods. The novel even has its “AWW” moments, when Paul struggles to keep Noah as his lover through his weeklong events to convince Noah of his feelings. One of my favorite parts would have to be Noah returning the favor through his hobby of photography, I’ll just say “WISH. YOU. WERE. HERE.”

This is quite an easy read though (I read it in less than two days). However, some of the narrative can be called into question. For instance, Paul recounts of his first and only gay-bashing experience, but luckily he was with his friends who were on the fencing team and they immediately took out their foils to help Paul. I like that the book is written in an “alternative” universe where homosexuality and the likes of that minority is accepted, on the other hand it could have been a little more realistic. Also, I can’t think of a place that would change the name of their Boy Scouts to Joy Scouts because the Boy Scouts Association do not appreciate homosexuals. I mean, did you go to school with multiple drag queens?
All in all, this novel deserves its Lambda Award, and if you’re looking to read a novel outside of your comfort zone this is for you or if this is exactly your cup of tea then you cannot go wrong here either! Perfect summer reading book, or for a day on the beach!