Adolescence is explored in its worst aspects: cruelty, lack of empathy, a sense of invincibility, the ability to do harm gratuitously and with impunity, and the failure to understand the consequences of a false accusation such as sexual molestation of minors. Moreover, Oates touches on the theme of suicide and fills the book with references to a widespread and devastating homophobia, due to which the fear of being "accused as" blocks a boy with a basically good nature to the point of making him withdraw into himself, when it would be so easy to tell the truth and do the right thing. Additionally, there is the anxiety of social acceptance, the attempt to meet the expectations of parents, peers, and friends, and the difficulty in listening to that inner voice that tells you who you really are, beyond what you strive to appear to be.

The themes are many and all interesting, but unfortunately they are only explored superficially. The character of the protagonist is barely mentioned, and the ending is sloppy and hasty. In short, the final feeling is that of a story with potential that has been left hanging and therefore results in an inconclusive way.

Her work is uneven but this one is likeable. A bit psycho. The main character is a very beautiful adolescent who manages himself poorly, especially since one of his teachers is interested in him for perhaps unclear reasons. This one soon finds himself accused of pedophilia by students as punishment for his severity. A rather current theme. Guilty pleasure book (no surprise) at Incoldblog.

Reread with as much pleasure. Really a good novel. Too bad that not all of Oates' books are of this level.

CLICKBAIT BOOK AND MISLEADING TITLE AND BLURB

Sexy (2005)

Finito Bestie, I immediately started reading Sexy, and I'm sorry that I don't have other books by Oates at home. I like her way of getting into the minds of the characters because most of the action takes place there, but you don't get the impression of dealing with useless meanderings. Her writing style is truly captivating. It allows the readers to experience the inner turmoil and thoughts of the characters in a very vivid way. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you hooked from the beginning. You find yourself empathizing with the characters and their situations. Oates has a remarkable ability to create complex and multi-dimensional characters. Each one has their own unique personality and set of problems. The book explores themes such as love, desire, and the human condition. It makes you think about your own relationships and how we interact with others. Overall, Sexy is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and engaging literature.

I read this book around 2006 or 2007. At that time, as an adolescent, it left a quite deep impression on me.

Maybe the themes it presented were a bit too adult for someone who wasn't quite a full-fledged teen. However, this story had a kind of melodramatic charm that really excited the romantic side within me.

The discussion of sex and sexuality in the book was also very exciting for me because I was just starting to explore my own.

It's not a bad book. But I'm certain that if I read it now as an adult, I would have a completely different feeling.

Once you start to analyze its layers, the plot does seem rather shallow. But you just can't help but feel sympathy for the main character who has been thrust into a chaotic situation during what is already an emotionally fragile period in the life of a teenager.

If you're a teen, I would recommend this book as I think it's most relevant to those in that age group. But if you're an adult, it's better to stay away. The melodrama will probably just annoy you.

The story itself is truly remarkable and engaging.

However, upon closer examination, I find that a significant portion of it seems rather unrealistic or overly saturated.

The concept that it presents regarding teenage men can, in some aspects, be regarded as both offensive and yet partially true.

I believe that many elements within the book are well-explained.

Nevertheless, when it comes to narrating the plot, numerous ideas are exaggerated to an extent in order to convey the intended message.

Overall, the plot is great, but it has the potential to be even better if some of these issues were addressed.

Perhaps a more balanced approach could be taken to make the story more believable and less likely to cause offense while still effectively communicating its central themes.

This would enhance the overall quality and impact of the work, making it more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.

This was a truly disturbing read, for I have witnessed people experiencing it firsthand. Rumors have the power to transform and, in certain instances, even shatter the lives of teachers and administrators. Students often spread these rumors, believing it to be a form of 'entertainment' and 'fun,' yet it comes at the expense of innocent individuals.

I highly recommend this book to all high school students and faculty members, as well as college students who have ever been involved in any rumor mill in the past. Everyone appears to desire to be the one in possession of the most startling and shocking information. However, what each person ought to be doing is simply keeping their mouth shut and taking into account the individuals at the core of the rumors, along with their feelings and livelihoods.

By reading this book, perhaps they will gain a better understanding of the consequences of their actions and learn to be more responsible in their behavior. It is essential that we all recognize the importance of respecting others and refraining from participating in the spread of harmful rumors.

I have a deep affection for JCO. She holds a special place in my heart as my favorite author, and I have amassed nearly all of her books. I have also delved into some of her other YA works.

However, this particular one is a huge disappointment. The ending was truly terrible, feeling forced and completely unbelievable. It's as if things just don't wrap up in such a haphazard way.

I also strongly detested the assumption that anyone who is "gay" or "homosexual" or "feminite (feminate?)" is automatically a pedophile. I'm certain, as she typically does, that she is basing the story on things she has read, seen, or heard. But I'm extremely disappointed that she entertained such a notion, especially in a YA book.

As an adult, I can see through the flaws. But as a YA, I'm not so sure I would have been able to. I can't even begin to imagine reading this as a YA. I'm not confident that I would have understood it at all, considering I struggle to understand it as an adult.

I know that JCO will redeem herself in the other books she has authored that I will undoubtedly read. This is simply one that I will never have to read again, nor will I recommend it for the fear that others may think this is the way she always writes.

Darren, an 11th grader, is well-trained, sexy, and a great pal.

He seems unaware that his muscular build as a swimmer makes him look sexy to others.

In English class, despite average performance, he gets a sportsman bonus.

The interest of his teacher, Mr. Tracey, in him is embarrassing for Darren.

He also finds the conversation about homosexuality that his father forces on him extremely embarrassing.

Why did Father Flynn care less about Darren's older brother Eddy at the same age than he does about Darren now?

Darren's clique has a problem with homosexuals. Those who look gay are beaten up.

None of the clique members get a sportsman bonus in English class.

To show Mr. Tracey, the others report him for child abuse.

Darren knows that the English teacher is just pushy. Only Darren can relieve Tracey.

The situation gets out of control, the police investigate, and Darren remains silent.

Darren's interrogation by the police shows depressingly how witnesses under pressure just want to get the embarrassing situation behind them.

The truth or justice is left behind.

Joyce Carol Oates has written a convincing portrait of a teenager who is torn between loyalty and honesty and does nothing against the slander of his teacher.

I found it

a) disturbing, and

b) insulting to me as a teacher that our culture is so preoccupied (one might say obsessed) with the notion of teachers as pedophiles in such an exaggerated and sensationalized way. It is truly disheartening to see how this stereotype has been perpetuated and blown out of proportion.

Adding to both these factors, the book in question is poorly written. The characters lack depth and development, making them seem one-dimensional and unrealistic. It is difficult for the reader to form any sort of connection with them.

Furthermore, the plot and ending are contrived. They feel forced and do not flow naturally, leaving the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction.

All in all, this is one of the most over-rated books I have ever read, and it is written by an equally overrated author. It fails to deliver on multiple fronts and does a disservice to the teaching profession and to literature as a whole.

When I first embarked on reading this book, it initially seemed to be almost exactly what I had anticipated.

However, as I delved deeper into its pages and advanced further through the narrative, it took an unexpected turn and became completely different from what I had envisaged.

The story that unfolded before my eyes was truly amazing, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

It had such a profound impact on me that it almost brought me to tears.

The author's ability to create such a captivating and emotional journey was truly remarkable, and I found myself completely engrossed in the world of the book.

It was a reading experience that I will not soon forget, and it made me realize that sometimes, the most unexpected things can have the greatest impact.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a truly engaging and moving read.

Sexy by Joyce Carol Oates was, ironically, unappealing after I finished reading it.

If you're up for a quick and easy read, I'd advise you to pick up this book. However, if you're actually seeking a book that's an amazing read and will truly intrigue you, I do not recommend this one.

The writing in this book is so simple that it's almost too easy to read. It feels as if the writing style is geared towards elementary school students. Although it's advertised to young adults, it reads a bit too juvenile, and I'm a young adult myself.

Joyce Carol Oates introduces some very heavy topics in this book, such as suicide, heavy rumors, homophobia, and sexual identity. These topics are all extremely compelling, but Oates doesn't delve deep enough into them. She merely skims the surface, leaving the reader wanting more. This is the only book I've read by Oates so far, and the impression I got from it is that she isn't a very risky writer. She shies away from subjects that strong authors have no fear of exploring. That's what I found very unattractive about the book. I wanted her to explore these subjects much more thoroughly. Unfortunately, she doesn't, and as a result, the book ends up being terribly boring.

The only redeeming quality of the book is the strong character development within the protagonist, Darren Flynn. She seems to have given a lot of attention to this character. If only she could have given the same level of attention to every aspect of the book. After reading this book, I tried to find words to describe it, and oddly, the word "sexy" never came to mind. I don't think I would recommend this book to anyone unless you're desperate for an extremely quick read.