Autoboyography
Beautiful.
Powerful.
Humorous.
Real.
Autoboyography by dual authors Christina and Lauren-cleverly penned together to appear as one author: Christina Lauren- have all of these qualities in their new novel and more. This novel was truly magnificent. I honestly can say that I did not find a single flaw within the beautiful 416 pages-which is almost unheard of for me.
If you haven’t already noticed, every novel that I’ve reviewed so far on this blog has imbued both positive and negative qualities-with one claiming the victory over the other. This novel lacks flaws.
I tried to find the mistakes, the annoyances, the aggravating nuances that litter every story because we are human beings and perfection is often an unattainable goal that is constantly strived for. However, I found none.
Absolutely none.
Zero. Zilch. Nada.
I loved it. Absolutely adored it. Obsessed and read it crazily for three day before it was inconsolably finished. So what is this novel about?
At its heart the book is simply a love story. However, love stories are concurrent in every single YA novel, so why is this one different?
It’s unique in that it’s a love story about two people falling for each other that shouldn’t fall for each other. I know what you’re thinking.
Wow, sounds super original, right? Forbidden love has only been around since Oedipus Rex and the Bible and Romeo and Juliet, but sure, sounds unique.
The issue with romance in YA novels today is that they all follow the same formula-especially forbidden romances. What made this so exceptional was its fictional portrayal of an entirely realistic situation.
The main character of the novel, Tanner, is a closeted bisexual senior in high school that moved from the liberal and progressive area of Palo Alto, California to the Mormon dominated community of Provo, Utah.
The novel is saturated with humor but very poignantly describes the challenges of being a minority within a community of people and the thoughts and feelings of feeling suffocated and unaccepted.
This formula vigorously reminds me of Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian-an incredibly puissant and potent read about a Native American boy attending an all white school and navigating life on the reservation, alcoholism, and culture.
Likewise, Autoboyography uses humor and powerful relationships to display the Mormon community of Provo in a detailed and candid lens that gives light to the generous and selfless virtues of the Mormon Church, but also the cultish activities and expectations of its members.
Tanner being non-LDS (Latter Day Saint) is an already intriguing read. Add in his fall-head-over-heels-in-love with very LDS Teaching Assistant Sebastian, a nineteen-year old college student with eyes that glitter like the lake, his relationship and unrequited love with his best friend Autumn, sex, family, religion, and identity and you’ve got a stunning read with some truly formidable themes, but done in a gentle and beautiful fashion that will leave you short of breath.
The writing was fluid, genuine, entertaining, and touching. Every situation in the novel was something to learn from and an experience to take away and transform into knowledge to become a better friend, better lover, and a better person.
Tanner’s struggle with acceptance, Sebastian’s struggle with religion and identity, Tanner’s Mother’s struggle with empathy and understanding, Autumn’s struggle with love and sacrifice all combined together to make this one of the best books I’ve read in a good while.
I won’t say anymore or go into detail about the plot, because this is truly a book best enjoyed with a clean slate and an open mind.
Recommendation: Get it immediately. You have time for this, trust me. Tell your kids, tell your wives, tell everyone because this book is incredible. Read it, then reread it, then read it again.
Score: 9/10 (Only because It’s not Harry Potter).
