Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman


Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Published: 28th April 2011
Publisher: Corgi Childrens
Genre: YA Fiction, Realistic Fiction


Description:
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...

Review:
Why haven't I read this before now? I have no freaking idea. I am kicking myself for not reading it. Boys Don't Cry is such a fantastic read that is realistic to life in the UK for many teenagers.

Boys Don't Cry follows the story of Dante. He has his life all planned out. He plans on going to uni and becoming a journalist. However, his world is blown apart when his ex Melanie turns up on his door step with a baby. His baby. Dante agrees to look after baby Emma so Melanie pops to the shop. However, she doesn't come back. And Dante world is changed forever.

I was a teenage parent so I really could related to this story. OK I thankfully had a wonderful family and friends for support unlike Melanie who just couldnt cope. People would probably read this and hate her for leaving her baby. Honestly I just felt sorry for her. Its hard to bring up a baby even with help. I can't even imagine the struggles poor Mel had to go through that she had to abandon her baby. Now Dante who at first is rather comical when it came to dealing with Emma when Mel ask him just to her. He hold her away from him and its just funny to read. Especially when it came to the nappy. However, he is thrown into the deep end here. Poor Dante, at first he doesn't even want to change his life because he doesn't think Emma will be staying with him. As the story continues though he grows to care for her and there is one point in the story that I screamed "YES!" when he finally says she is her daughter.

As well as reading Dante's story of struggling with single father hood. We are told Adam's story along side. Adam is Dante's younger brother. He is gay and isn't afraid to show it. I really loved him. He is always a glass half full kinda of boy. However, after a horrible, horrible incident he becomes closed off from his family and friends. I was such a shame to read this. I was heartbroken for him.

Malorie has created such a realistic story about what goes on in society just now. She doesn't sugar coat anything and just tells the story like it is. This could easily have been a non fiction story. These are issues that people face everyday. Single Teen Parents. Homophobic behaviour. And yet she manages to create a story that is full of hope and love and humour that had me crying alot with happiness for the characters.

What I really loved. Was the fact that this focuses on a single teen father. In today society, all the focus is on teen mothers. And this show the point of view of the dad. There are single dads out there but they hardly ever get a mention. And I want to applaud Malorie of this.

I was 19 when I had my son and I thank god everyday that I had people around me for support. His dad even though we weren't together he has been there since day one. Always being involved in my son's life. So even though Boys Don't cry is different I can relate to it because its hard being a teen parent. You get pigeon holed and people look down their noses as you Just like they do with Dante and its not nice. This book holds a special place in my heart and even writing this review I have a lump in my throat and the tears are coming so I am going to stop writing now and just going to say one thing:

READ IT PLEASE!


Rate: 5/5
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Orginally Reviewed: 15 May 2011
Buy your copy
Amazon {UK}{US}
Visit Malorie: Website

2 comments :

  1. I've been meaning to check out some of this authors work - this sounds like a fantastic place to start!

    Thanks for the recommendation :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't recommend this book enough. This is the only book I've read by Malorie but it won't be my last.

    ReplyDelete

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