The book began with great promise. However, it attempted to handle an excessive number of elements.

On one hand, there is Darren Flynn, a boy from a disadvantaged background, coming to terms with himself as a former weakling who has now become a sex object. (I couldn't help but feel that there was no real significance in making him of a lower socioeconomic class than his friends; it seemed to have no bearing on the storyline.)

On the other hand, the main plotline revolves around their potentially gay English teacher. Darren's friends on the swim team try to portray him as a child molester as payback for failing one of their teammates. I simply didn't believe that these two concepts meshed well together; it felt rather contrived.

The ending was equally disappointing and anticlimactic. It gave the impression of two separate stories with two distinct endings. Certainly not on par with the quality of Freaky Green Eyes.

Overall, while the book had some interesting ideas, its execution left much to be desired.

This book is truly a mixed bag.

On one hand, it is interesting, but on the other hand, I have some strong opinions about it. As a teenager myself, I must admit that I am rather insulted by the way the author depicts the characters.

Most teenagers I know are nothing like the ones portrayed in this book. The characters seem very unrealistic and unrelatable, which makes it difficult for me to engage with the story on a deeper level.

However, there is one aspect of the book that I did like. The author left the end open and unanswered, which allows the reader to use their imagination and create their own ending.

This was a refreshing change from the typical books that neatly tie up all the loose ends.

I also noticed that many people in the reviews found the book confusing and had to read it multiple times to understand. They didn't understand how any of it was related and none of the questions were answered.

But I think the author did this on purpose. She wants the reader to read between the lines and decide for themselves whether Mr. Tracy is a pedophile or if Darren is gay.

This is one of the aspects of the book that I found interesting. Overall, I don't think this book is that good, mostly due to the writing.

I doubt I will read anything else by this author.

First JCO and a bit of a let down.

An acclaimed author has her stab at YA-ish fiction. It's like a John Green novel where, instead of cancer being the sword of death, it's a perverse lie that a bunch of dumb jocks concoct and, somehow, pull off.

The motivations for the crime? Not wanting to write an English paper. And somehow, JCO wants us to believe that 4 jocks who can't spell their names, pronounce things beyond a simple sentence, or use a sentence without vulgarity are able to plot this false crime and that the town's police and crime units all believe it? I have to laugh!

No one is brought to their just desserts, but the main character gets laid in the end. Is this what a "happy ending" meant in 2005? This needs 8 more chapters to make it not feel like she pressed send without realizing the manuscript was cut short.

I do **LOVE the ending exchange with Darren and the principal. A 3-page sentence? No periods?! It's a great show of paranoia and anxiety. But if I did that, my 11th grade English teacher would come back, retroactively fail me, and slap me!

Overall, the story had its moments, but it also felt rushed and incomplete. The characters were not fully developed, and the plot had some holes that needed to be filled. However, the ending exchange was a亮点 that added some depth and complexity to the story. It will be interesting to see if JCO can improve on this in her future works.

Joyce Carol Oates is widely regarded as one of the greatest female writers of our era. However, I would argue that if all of her works are like "Sexy", one has to wonder what those who have promoted such claims were smoking.

The only adjective that I feel fully expresses my feelings towards this novel is: shameful.

The narrative portrays Darren as a withdrawn young boy, physically attractive and a great swimmer. What it fails to clearly and concisely state is that he is an out-and-out homophobe.

His mind is filled with prejudice against the teacher with the scarf and somewhat feminine mannerisms. He shuns him, doesn't even want to look him in the face or be alone in the classroom with him. Why? Because that's what others say one should do, because there are rumors that he is gay, a pervert.

After the so-called pervert offers him a ride in his car, Darren becomes the victim of constant terror that others will classify him as homosexual. It becomes his shame, his obsession, constantly on his mind. Everyone talks about him because they saw him in the teacher's car, and of course Darren - poor heterosexual star! - feels deeply hurt for being pointed out as one of those disgusting people.

Then comes the day when some boys - I might add, jerks - start spreading false rumors that the teacher molested them. So the only thing left for the man to do is ask Darren for help, beg him to tell the truth that he never actually touched any student. And Darren? Darren deletes all the emails without lifting a finger, justifying himself with "It's not my business."

Then the teacher dies in a car accident.

To read the full review: HERE

From the very beginning, this book really got on my nerves.

In an early passage, the teenage protagonist mentions that when he is on the diving board during competitions, he can sense the eyes of men in his community fixed on him, seemingly admiring his body.

As the story progresses, we discover that this is a small town with a population of only 8300, and it appears to have rampant homophobia.

However, it is quite absurd that there are multiple pedophiles in town ogling teenage boys at swimming events. Seriously?

What also irked me was that the only actual homosexual character in the book was a male teacher who made advances on a student.

The book was somewhat readable, but it was completely unbelievable. The ending was a total disaster. Yuck.

I do like JCO's short stories, but after reading this YA book, I'm not so sure about her YA works in general.

11/01/08

The book I reviewed is "Sexy" by Joyce Carol Oates. It is a captivating fiction story that delves deep into the themes of hormones, sexuality, and the expectations placed upon teenagers as they grow older.

The story follows Darren Flynn, a sixteen-year-old high school student who is not only a local hero but also in the process of transitioning from adolescence to manhood. As a talented swimmer and promising diver, he advanced to the varsity team at the end of his sophomore year and is now a junior. People have started to notice how good-looking he is, and girls describe him as sexy yet shy. He is unmistakably a jock and was until a snowy Thursday, a happy, popular, and self-esteem filled kid who worked hard to be the best.

To me, this book reflects a great deal of what is happening in the real world. Fiction is meant to help us understand ourselves and how we live. Just like in "The Cat in the Hat", the moral of the story is to have fun but know when to stop. Joyce Carol Oates has timed this book perfectly. There is so much confusion, anger, and helplessness in the lives of many teens today. The boundaries between high school teachers and their students are explored in a heartfelt and honest way. The question is raised when simple affection and encouragement turn into improper allegations.

If you are a fan of Joyce Carol Oates' books, then you will surely love "Sexy". Both older teens and adults will find it a challenging yet rewarding read. Its fast-paced style makes it an excellent choice for those looking for an engaging story.

Writing has rather put me off and confused me a bit. Although it is classified as Young Adult, I expected a bit more from Joyce Carol Oates, whose talent is no longer in doubt.

Regarding the subject of peer pressure, for example, I find the subject is much better addressed and more impactful in "La Vague". Otherwise, the plot is led strangely until a breaking point and a very disappointing conclusion.

The economy of words and the very cold style do not really allow for an attachment to the characters, and I can hardly imagine how teenagers can identify with the novel.

Perhaps if the author had used a more engaging writing style and developed the characters more fully, the story would have had more of an impact. As it is, I was left feeling somewhat dissatisfied and unfulfilled by the end of the book.

Overall, while there are some interesting ideas and themes explored in this novel, I don't think it quite lives up to the expectations set by Joyce Carol Oates' reputation.

The reason that the son didn't connect to the right and proper place made him angry :(

I will be Oates' follower.

Perhaps he was frustrated because the son's actions deviated from what was expected or required. It could have been a situation where the son failed to fulfill a particular task or responsibility accurately, leading to this feeling of annoyance.

As for being Oates' follower, it might imply that there is something about Oates that he admires or respects. Maybe Oates has certain qualities, skills, or a particular way of doing things that he wants to learn from or imitate.

This could also suggest that he has a sense of loyalty or dedication towards Oates, and is willing to support and follow him in some way. Overall, these two statements seem to convey different emotions and intentions.

Dans Sexy, Joyce Carol Oates takes a look at the prejudices and hatred in American society towards differences and which often condemns individuals who don't fit into the "mold" too quickly. It is a disturbing story filled with unspoken words and suppositions. The tense atmosphere, the sense of guilt of Darren who is confronted with his own doubts, gives an oppressive atmosphere to this novel. The tension is palpable.

I didn't find the JCO I know here. The writing is really different from what I'm used to from her. This is my first young adult novel by the author, and I think I will continue my discovery of her work with her adult novels. It's not that I hated it, far from it! But I prefer her more accomplished novels, her tomes with inimitable descriptions, and her well-mastered style.

A novel that doesn't leave one indifferent and that provides young readers with some tracks for reflection on a delicate subject. It makes them think about how society treats those who are different and encourages them to question their own prejudices. Maybe it will even inspire some of them to take a stand and try to make a change.

Sexy is a captivating story that delves into the complex themes of grappling with gay identity and the profound power of a woman's love, exploring how that love can potentially disrupt and challenge every aspect of our being.

Darren, a 16-year-old high school swimmer with aspirations of making the swim team, finds himself in a predicament as he realizes he needs to study English in order to graduate. However, a fortuitous ride home with a handsome English teacher sets off a chain of events that completely alters the course of Darren's life.

The question lingers: what precisely transpired during that encounter? And in the grander scheme of things, does it truly matter? Darren's newest girlfriend, Jill, enters the picture, and the reader wonders if she can assist him in surmounting his deep-seated insecurities.

Ms. Oates, as is her trademark, offers profound insights throughout the narrative. While some passages may prove to be distressing at times, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through the arduous process of self-discovery. After all, it is the essence of who we are deep within that truly defines us, rather than simply who we are attracted to.

"Sexy" is a captivating and engaging read that is both fast-paced and easy to follow.

I have always had the impression that it reads like a poem, not only due to its unique rhythm but also because of the inherent ambiguity within its pages.

If you are in search of a story filled with characters that you can easily fall in love with or befriend, then "Sexy" might not be the book for you. The narrative of this book follows an emotional arc, often at the expense of fully developed characters. In fact, almost everyone in the story, with the exception of a few peripheral women, engages in actions that can be considered reprehensible. There are also several intense moments, including violent homophobia, which are not specifically condemned within the narrative. It is left to the reader to identify the through lines and draw their own conclusions.

However, "Sexy" is also an incredibly powerful story that delves into the importance of being true to oneself and having the courage to form and express one's own thoughts and opinions. I believe that this book is especially relevant for young men who find themselves trapped within a system of toxic expectations, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Interestingly, "Sexy" was actually the first book by Joyce Carol Oates that I ever read, and that was over a decade ago, during my early high school years. I remember checking the book out of the library simply because I was a young gay kid and was attracted to the cover, which featured an attractive guy. In hindsight, I'm not entirely sure if this was the most appropriate way to market the book, but I am truly grateful to have discovered it.

All these years later, upon revisiting "Sexy," I am pleasantly surprised to see how well the story has endured and how relevant it still remains. As a teenager, I admit that I was initially confused and perhaps even slightly angry about the ambiguity of the narrative. However, as an adult, I now have a more developed theory about what Oates might have intended.

In conclusion, I can say that "Sexy" has continued to occupy my thoughts long after I first read it, and it has had a profound impact on the way I perceive fiction. While it may not have the same effect on every reader, it has the potential to do so.

The performance was just very average.

I was really disappointed, but I still managed to remain cool and composed.

Although it didn't meet my expectations, I didn't let my emotions get the better of me.

I think it's important to stay calm in such situations and not overreact.

Maybe there were some factors that contributed to the mediocre outcome, but there's no point in dwelling on it.

I'll just take it as a learning experience and look forward to better things in the future.

Overall, while I'm disappointed, I'm still maintaining a positive attitude and hoping for improvement.