Review: Odd Man Out by James Newman
Wooooooooooow. This isn't an easy read due to the brutality of the bullying that takes place but the messages are loud and clear and ones we should all pay attention to.
It's 1989. Welcome to the Boys Camp in a "boys will be boys" summer where getting in trouble is a staple - especially if the boys are left with minimal supervision. Already the alphas are showing their bullying ways and no one can or will stop them. Y'all..... this novella seriously is a gut punch. So many things to discuss but I'll try to keep this short.
This book shows bullying and homophobia at some of its worst. It also touches on how infectious anger and hatred can be. Even those that know what is happening is wrong, they tamp down their inner conscious and just "try to get through it". They think they can make up for not speaking up and taking action later. It speaks on how complicit we all can be in acts and probably have been at one time or another. When have you been angry about something that you ended up taking out on someone that didn't deserve it? Anger manifests and when you get an army behind you... well, we all too well know how far that could potentially go and it's fucking frightening. I would love to think that from 1989 to our present 2020 that things have progressed but sadly they have not so let us all make conscious decisions to not manifest in the hate and to stick up for those who need it.
Anyways, a tough and somber read but absolutely worthy of your time. I cannot believe this is my first Newman - will definitely be picking up The Wicked soooooooon!
★★★★★
Oh gosh, this does sound like a difficult read! But it sounds awesome!
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