Shout-out to my favorite book reviewer, Aaron, for recommending this book to me. Just when I was starting to bore of books in this genre, here comes James Acker to change my mind. What I loved most about THE LONG RUN is how familiar the character are. I immediately related to both Bash and Sandro and their individual plights. Bash is the life of the party, the popular kid at school who everyone, even teachers, like. However, when you have to be so many things to so many different people, the real you gets lost in the shuffle. Then there is Sandro. Equally just as liked but somehow invisible to the most important people in his life.
This story is so beautiful and so fresh. There are so many tropes exclusive to queer fiction and Acker does a great job of veering away from the expected. There were quite a few heartbreaking moments which were to be expected but what took me completely by surprise is how funny this book is. The frank discussions about sexy times had me ROFL-ing at 3 AM when I should have been sleeping.
As far as what didn't work for me. The only thing I didn't like was that the book ended. I know a story is well-crafted whenever I find myself missing the characters long after the book has ended.
James Acker over the course of a few days has become one of my favorite writers, standing alongside such titans as Bill Konigsberg, Jeff Zentner, and Phil Stamper. I look forward to reading more of his work. Also, for those of you who enjoy audiobooks, the one for this book is well-done. I cannot recommend this book enough! I promise you won't be disappointed.
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Reviews with images
Excellent coming of age novel
This is a genuinely exceptional coming of age story.I found it very engaging emotionally (I cried three times reading it) and it has stuck with me for several days after finishing it. Categorizing it as a YA novel might be a bit misleading. While I hope kids do read it, to me it felt like a novel that just happened to feature two teenage protagonists. This is a book that doesn't pull its punches, but at the same time is very joyful in many ways. I love Bash and Dro. Like Aristotle and Dante before them, I love Bash and Dro. I loved the way the book demonstrates how two young men can care deeply for each other, how they can be gentle and be bros at the same time. I love what this book can mean for kids today who play sports and have to navigate how homophobic that world can be. I hope high school coaches read this book.I'm a fan of John Updike's Harry Angstrom books and would love to read more about Bash and Dro somewhere down the line in their lives. Also, while I don't subscribe to the idea that making things into movies is the highest form of cultural expression, I do think this book would make one hell of a movie. The author has a degree in screenwriting, so let me just put that suggestion into the universe.I've already bought copies of The Long Run to give to friends. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2023
This is a genuinely exceptional coming of age story.
I found it very engaging emotionally (I cried three times reading it) and it has stuck with me for several days after finishing it. Categorizing it as a YA novel might be a bit misleading. While I hope kids do read it, to me it felt like a novel that just happened to feature two teenage protagonists. This is a book that doesn't pull its punches, but at the same time is very joyful in many ways. I love Bash and Dro. Like Aristotle and Dante before them, I love Bash and Dro. I loved the way the book demonstrates how two young men can care deeply for each other, how they can be gentle and be bros at the same time. I love what this book can mean for kids today who play sports and have to navigate how homophobic that world can be. I hope high school coaches read this book.
I'm a fan of John Updike's Harry Angstrom books and would love to read more about Bash and Dro somewhere down the line in their lives. Also, while I don't subscribe to the idea that making things into movies is the highest form of cultural expression, I do think this book would make one hell of a movie. The author has a degree in screenwriting, so let me just put that suggestion into the universe.
I've already bought copies of The Long Run to give to friends. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I found it very engaging emotionally (I cried three times reading it) and it has stuck with me for several days after finishing it. Categorizing it as a YA novel might be a bit misleading. While I hope kids do read it, to me it felt like a novel that just happened to feature two teenage protagonists. This is a book that doesn't pull its punches, but at the same time is very joyful in many ways. I love Bash and Dro. Like Aristotle and Dante before them, I love Bash and Dro. I loved the way the book demonstrates how two young men can care deeply for each other, how they can be gentle and be bros at the same time. I love what this book can mean for kids today who play sports and have to navigate how homophobic that world can be. I hope high school coaches read this book.
I'm a fan of John Updike's Harry Angstrom books and would love to read more about Bash and Dro somewhere down the line in their lives. Also, while I don't subscribe to the idea that making things into movies is the highest form of cultural expression, I do think this book would make one hell of a movie. The author has a degree in screenwriting, so let me just put that suggestion into the universe.
I've already bought copies of The Long Run to give to friends. I can't recommend it highly enough.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
