Bait and Switch

by Austen Crowder

In Fenton's world, some kids are toons. Some think the change is biological. Others think the change is social. But some kids turn into toons, and Fenton's father just wants it to stop. He's even built a Realist movement to ban toons from the real world, hoping that it will keep his own children from following in their estranged mother's cartoon footsteps. Tensions rise as the Realists lobby to get their ban set into law, and toons fight for their right to be themselves. Fenton's father knows he can count on his two boys to stand behind him and his dream of building a safe, a toon-free reality. It's just too bad that Fenton's becoming a toon.... Cover artwork by Dustin Friend.

Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2010

Reviews

[David Ellery · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea to use toons, and changing into toons, as an allegory for exploring and realising and accepting your gender identity, as well as reflecting society's continued difficulties with that, is an interesting one, and certainly original, but it's not one this book manages to make work beyond the occasional, fleeting moment.

The first issue is a familiar one: telling too much, and showing too little. This is especially keenly felt when dealing with toons, by their nature a very visual thing. The second is that the toons and their culture simply aren't fleshed out very well, somewhat ironic given the prominent name-checking of master animator Bob Clampett. They're simplistic, and unengaging, and the choice to correlate a hunger for gags with sexual drives was a poor one.

The biggest problem, though, is one of focus. From paragraphs that confuse as to who's doing what, through the inconsistent handling of the gags-are-toon-sex concept among others, to the world itself never really coming together, this is a story in need of focusing and distillation, of clearer and stronger direction and framework. Yes, there is something to be felt in Fenton's struggles to be himself and accept himself in the face of people, people he loves, who won't listen and won't understand, but it rarely grows beyond what's inherent to that conflict. It doesn't feel a part of the characters or their world because neither are rich or defined enough.

Ultimately, this is a book that inhabits an awkward, unsatisfying place somewhere between allegory and applicability, serving mostly to reinforce Tolkien's assertion the latter is greatly preferable to the former. I'll admit to some bias given my deep love of animation and toons, which likely coloured my views to a degree, but I do believe this idea could have worked, which makes it all the more frustrating that it falls short here. The only lingering thought about this story, for me, is what could have been.

[Sean Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bait and Switch was everything I hoped it would be. A book that takes anthropomorphic characters and makes it really matter and effect the story. Bait and Switch is set in a world similar to "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", where toons and humans exist in the same world. The difference in Bait and Switch is that humans can become toons. The story is told from a young man named Fenton who is starting to change into a toon and doesn't know how to handle it. Especially since the world at large doesn't like the "toon" lifestyle and is working to make toons "get real". And Fenton's father is the head figure for the Realist political movement looking to pass laws against toons.

Bait and Switch is a metaphor for gender identity and gay rights, and it's a wonderful and beautifully imaginative way to get the point across and it helps to express the struggles of a young person learning to accept themselves when the outside world doesn't. The book can be a bit hard to follow from time to time, given the complexity of trying to mix the toon world and the real world. It also doesn't steer away from adult ideas like sex, relationships, and abandonment and how it relates to the toon world. It can be hit or miss depending on personal taste (grenades, bombs, and anvil gags are the toon equivalent of sex much like patty cake was implied toon sex in Who Framed Roger Rabbit), but I applaud the author for taking such risks, and in my opinion, succeeding.

Another thing I loved about Bait and Switch was the fact that it was a short novel. So many authors feel the need to cram unnecessary subplots and information into a story, but Miss Crowder didn't do that. She kept the story focused and it truly makes for a great read, one that keeps you emotionally invested and continually turning the page.

And other than some minor spelling errors and an ending that left me feeling a bit unsatisfied, this was a wonderful book. A beautifully written story that doesn't get over-indulgent and takes risks. Something that everyone should definitely read.

[Blazewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Austen is an extremely talented writer. WHile this book follows Fenton, a boy turning toon while his father spearheads the Realist Movement, Austen manages to draw a ton of parallels between this book and the trans community. She managed to invoke many feelings with me, and when I finished, all I could think was "I want more."

I have all of Austen's published books thus far and would recommend her to anyone who likes alot of emotion fueled into the books they read. SHe has fast become my muse, as I cannot read her works without being inspired to write myself.

Way to go Austen.

[Piperpinemarten · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a number of reasons why I did not like this book. However, in the year 2025 I have come back to change my review because it was too vitriolic. I do not think my view incorrect, rather my tone was wrong.

This book is, in my opinion, deeply flawed and problematic in the execution of its ideas. I can understand this is a trans allegory and appreciate the fact the author was trying to communicate an interesting idea. I just think the execution is flawed.