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Reflections of a Rock Lobster: A Story About Growing Up Gay
Fricke made national news when he sued his school for the right to take a male date to the prom. Here is his story of growing up gay in America.
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 25, 2008
this was my first "gay" book, i was NOT alone. i was normal, i was blessed. a lesson that has stayed with me since that day!
October 13, 2011
One of the first books I read when our son came out to better understand the perspective of a gay young man. Captivating.
May 15, 2024
8/10 Inspiring!
March 9, 2023
It's really fascinating to read a book directly from a gay teen in the 80s. The perspective even not that long ago was completely different. I knew tons of gay couples who went to prom, it's totally normal now. But we still do Rocky Horror. Feels like a tradition passed down.
Also, Rock Lobster does bring people together.
Thanks Aaron.
Also, Rock Lobster does bring people together.
Thanks Aaron.
March 20, 2012
I ended up picking this up after reading a story in the local paper about the fact that it had been turned into a stage play. Fricke is from the town where I am now working, and this is the story of what happened in 1980 when he decided that he wanted to bring another guy to the prom as a date to the senior prom.
The book was written only a short time after the events took place so Fricke was still quite young at the time of the writing. I thought he did a good job of summarizing events without only presenting his perspective of what had happened. What I thought was particularly great was the fact that he told the story of his whole life up to that point, which gave great insight into how he personally dealt with his homosexuality as well as how the rest of the community dealt with homosexuality in general. It was not the most enlightened time.
While I do think that times have become a lot better, I don't know that today's teens really have life all that much easier than Fricke did. There is no question that he helped open some doors and pushed aside ignorance. In some ways, I think this would be a great book to introduce in schools where gay-bashing and bullying are a major issue because its themes really speak to what schools are trying to emphasize.
It is really worth a read.
The book was written only a short time after the events took place so Fricke was still quite young at the time of the writing. I thought he did a good job of summarizing events without only presenting his perspective of what had happened. What I thought was particularly great was the fact that he told the story of his whole life up to that point, which gave great insight into how he personally dealt with his homosexuality as well as how the rest of the community dealt with homosexuality in general. It was not the most enlightened time.
While I do think that times have become a lot better, I don't know that today's teens really have life all that much easier than Fricke did. There is no question that he helped open some doors and pushed aside ignorance. In some ways, I think this would be a great book to introduce in schools where gay-bashing and bullying are a major issue because its themes really speak to what schools are trying to emphasize.
It is really worth a read.
April 10, 2016
This review is for the 2013 reprint...
When I found out that "Reflections of a Rock Lobster" was being reprinted, with an updated epilogue, I was excited to revisit this classic of gay youth literature. I first read RORL in high school, around the same age Aaron was when the events in the book took place. What Aaron did was, simply, an act of revolution. A mere 11 years after Stonewall, and in the midst of the Anita Bryant led backlash of the late 1970s, Aaron had the nerve to stand up for himself. and every gay kid who couldn't stand up for themselves, and demanded equal treatment and equal access. It's a story about justice and equality triumphing over the forces of prejudice. The updated epilogue and pictures are a wonderful addition to the story. It's always nice to find out how people that you've invested in, as you're reading, have turned out. I really hope this new edition finds a new generation of young gay people and has as much an impact on them as it did on me.
When I found out that "Reflections of a Rock Lobster" was being reprinted, with an updated epilogue, I was excited to revisit this classic of gay youth literature. I first read RORL in high school, around the same age Aaron was when the events in the book took place. What Aaron did was, simply, an act of revolution. A mere 11 years after Stonewall, and in the midst of the Anita Bryant led backlash of the late 1970s, Aaron had the nerve to stand up for himself. and every gay kid who couldn't stand up for themselves, and demanded equal treatment and equal access. It's a story about justice and equality triumphing over the forces of prejudice. The updated epilogue and pictures are a wonderful addition to the story. It's always nice to find out how people that you've invested in, as you're reading, have turned out. I really hope this new edition finds a new generation of young gay people and has as much an impact on them as it did on me.
October 29, 2013
My review can be found at Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
February 1, 2022
I thought this was a really good story about ones self about growing up homosexual. Very eye opening. I actually teared up at some parts.
July 24, 2014
Although I was a young teenager when this story took place, I had never heard about this book or the events the book was written about until recently. The book was well written, and the courage of the author was amazing! As a high school senior, Aaron Fricke sued for the right to bring a male date to his senior prom. This book tells of Aaron's journey from childhood and recognizing his homosexuality, through his teen years and dealing with discrimination, to the prom and graduation. This journey is told so well, you feel like you are there, along for the ride. This is told with such openness. So well done - the standing up for himself and the writing!
April 18, 2014
When I started a job at a university, as a gift they gave me a stack of books that had been required reading for incoming college freshmen in years past. This was one of those books. I found it to be well-written and a very insightful look into another person's life. It's a quick read.
March 13, 2009
A teen classic.
October 29, 2013
and old classic but one of my firsts
May 15, 2019
A fast read, but powerful and interesting, and not just because it happened at the high school I attended 4 years later.
Fricke’s voice is very matter-of-fact and realistic. He tries to exercise the empathy for others that others so often lack for lgbt folks. I was pleased to read both that Mr. Lynch had softened his views in the intervening years, and that Fricke felt more kindly toward him as a result.
Fricke’s voice is very matter-of-fact and realistic. He tries to exercise the empathy for others that others so often lack for lgbt folks. I was pleased to read both that Mr. Lynch had softened his views in the intervening years, and that Fricke felt more kindly toward him as a result.
December 10, 2021
6.5/10 - very easy read and insightful book into what it was like to grow up gay in the 1950s. I found it really surprising to read about the author's experiences, especially in his early childhood and how he internalised homophobia as he grew up. Really quick and easy read.
August 26, 2023
Forever relevant. Truly a classic. What a badass.
May 17, 2025
3.5 rounded up
March 28, 2017
I loved the simple way the Aaron Fricke wrote.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews