Aimee Reviews~ Different for Boys by Patrick Ness
Patrick Ness is easily one of the biggest names in young adult fiction, with six incredible titles already published: The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, Monsters of Men, A Monster Calls, More Than This and The Rest of Us Just Live Here. Ness has won the Carnegie Medal twice, the Costa Children’s Book Award, and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. There can be no doubt that Ness has established himself as part of our contemporary cannon of children's and young adult writers.
Which, I suppose, is why I was so excited to see that Different for Boys is set to be released in hardback on 2nd March. This novella was first published in 2010 in an anthology called Losing It – all about the topic of losing your virginity.
Different for Boys is a short story about friendship, masculinity, and sex as four teenage boys come to understand their identities. The protagonist, Anthony ‘Ant’ Stevenson, asks questions about the rules and questions of sex and virginity when you are a boy who likes boys. It feels complicated and confusing to him, especially in regard to Ant’s best friend Charlie. Charlie, whos homophobic attitudes affect his intimate relationship with Ant.
This story does not shy away from the uncomfortable. Sexuality, intimacy, and prejudiced rage are all discussed with openness and confidence, all while using the distinct voice of a teenager. Ant’s conversations with the reader are honest, yet private. It is suggested that they swear and discuss taboo subjects, behind the playful black bar redactions which keep this book YA-appropriate. Anthony talks about [blank]. [blanks], and [blanking]. It’s a lot of fun, and joyously aware of itself.
“It's that kind of story. Certain words are necessary because this is real life, but you can't actually show 'em because we're too young to read about the stuff we actually do, right?"
Patrick Ness has spoken about where this novel comes from, explaining “it’s a fun chance to satirise how YA novels are never allowed to show how real teenagers actually talk. Honestly, when I was 15, I swore like a longshore-man. I still grew up to be a nice young man who was polite to grandmothers.”
I read a lot of young adult fiction, and this is the first time I have truly seen those brutal, ugly, raw conversations take place in a way that feels authentic and safe. The content or language never goes too far. The reader is protected, but not removed from these issues and conversations which we all know take place. Ness has handled that fine line between showing and concealing masterfully. And as Ness suggests, it is an honest representation of how we truly were as teenagers. I wonder if reading these kind of authentic voices may even help some people with their own ability to speak up, to ask questions, and be honest with their friends about the things that are troubling them?
Throughout this version of Different for Boys, there are a series of spectacularly emotive and characterful monochromatic illustrations by Danish illustrator Tea Bendix. These are powerful and somehow feel attuned to the truthfulness and consciousness of Ness’s writing. This really is a partnership one could only dream of.
This is a young adult novel with a difference. While the essential nature of feel-good, sweet romances like Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and To All The Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han cannot be disputed – this feels special. It is messy, complicated, honest, and authentically teenaged. And there’s no shame, embarrassment, or taboo about that – it’s just real life.