"Hello," I Lied: A Novel [Hardcover]

M. E. Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

When sixteen-year-old Lang has the chance to spend the summer at the ritzy East Hampton estate of retired rock star Ben Nevada, he's pretty sure that it will be the summer of a lifetime. But what Lang doesn't expect is that in addition to hobnobbing with the rich and famous of the rock world, he'll find himself coming out about his homosexuality to his childhood friends, reevaluating his relationship with his boyfriend, Alex, and--most surprising of all--falling in love with a girl.

From the award-winning author of Deliver is From Evie, this is a powerfully moving novel of a young man's struggle to come to terms with his sexuality, his emotions and ultimately himself.

"This book successfully challenges readers' assumption, breaking them down to offer more hopeful, affirming ideas about love and truth,"
-- Publishers Weekly

"The author has again crafted a story that forces readers to examine theirs own ideas of contentment, attraction, and love. In this excellent novel, nothing is portrayed as simple black or white, right or wrong, and each character comes alive by doing what readers least expect."
-- Voice of Youth Advocates

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

M. E. Kerr was awarded the 1993 Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing young adult books, so it is no surprise that "Hello," I Lied is terrific. Kerr is unafraid to tackle controversial issues: her last novel, Deliver Us from Evie, dealt with a very butch teen girl and "Hello," I Lied is equally daring. Lang Penner is a happily adjusted 17-year-old gay teen who is engaged in a loving relationship with Alex, a 20-year-old actor. When Lang becomes emotionally involved with Huguette, the French daughter of a famous deceased rock star, life suddenly becomes more complicated. Kerr writes about young love and sexuality with insight and passion. But more important, while never ignoring how problematic life can be for gay youth, she envisions a world in which gay teens can be happy and secure.

From Publishers Weekly

A gay teenager contemplates coming out and finds himself attracted to a French girl. "With its addictive combination of absorbing themes and glamorous setting, Kerr's newest stands up to the best of her oeuvre," said PW in a starred review. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 15 and up
  
• Hardcover: 171 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 1st edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060275294
• ISBN-13: 978-0060275297
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,738,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for any teenager!, August 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: "Hello," I Lied (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read this book three times and still I love it! Every character in this book, from Lang, who is comfortable with his homosexuality but afraid of coming out to his friends, to the bitter ex-rock star Nevada, and the french Audrey Hepburn look alike Hugette who is sent to the states from France to distance her from her grape-picker boyfriend, are so human you feel a commection to them, even if you're not gay, rich, or a tennager. Just read this book!! You will not be dissapointed!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars M. E. Kerr's best yet!, September 18, 2000

By 

Karla - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Hello," I Lied (Mass Market Paperback)

Hello, I lied was the first "gay" book I ever read (had the courage to buy?) Reading it was a very powerful experience for me, and I re-read it several times so I could get a hold of all the emotions I felt after devoring it the first time. A truly touching story with real characters who aren't perfect that never deals in black and white Hello, I lied is a wonderful book, and one that I would recomend to any teen, especially if your gay or have a friend who is recently coming out. It's a honest book probably above all else.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Possible Dangerous Message, April 23, 2007

By 

A. Luciano (Lowell, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "Hello," I Lied (Mass Market Paperback)

Lang is spending the summer living in a small caretaker's cottage with his mother on the property of retired rock and roll legend Ben Nevada. His mother has been hired to do some cooking and caretaking around the property for Nevada, and Lang will also do some odd jobs around the property as part of the deal.

Lang's mother is one of the few people who knows that he is gay and that his friend Alex, who sometimes spends weekends with them when his stage acting career allows him to get away, is really more than just a friend. Lang hasn't even told his closest friends and his former girlfriend that he is gay. This is the summer he may finally have to let his secret out.

As if Lang doesn't have enough on his mind, Ben Nevada announces that the teenage daughter of family friends in France is coming to spend part of the summer with him. She has fallen in love with a grape picker whom her family thinks is below her. They hope that if they send her to live with Nevada, she might meet and fall in love with a more suitable young man who will make her forget about this French boy. Nevada wants Lang to agree to show this girl around and introduce her to young people around town. Lang refuses, but then when the girl arrives, he finds himself spending more and more time with her. Alex is even getting jealous of the amount of time Lang spends with Huguette. And Lang is feeling more confused than ever, mainly because he can't figure out what he feels about Huguette, but he suspects it may be attraction.

I really liked the relationship between Lang and Alex; they were a pretty devoted and stable couple and they dealt with the rest of the world around them pretty well. I also liked the glimpse into the life of a former rock star--it sounded like an exciting life but also a very difficult one.

However, I didn't like the thought that it would just take the right girl to turn a gay man straight, or that if gays tried hard enough to be attracted to the opposite sex, they could be. It seemed that this is the message some people could take out of this book.