[(Freaks and Revelations )] [Author: Davida Wills Hurwin] [Jul-2012]

by Davida Wills Hurwin

This raw, moving novel follows two teenagers-one, a Mohawk-wearing 17-year-old violent misfit; the other, a gay 13-year-old cast out by his family, hustling on the streets and trying to survive. Acclaimed author Davida Wills Hurwin creates a riveting narrative told in alternating perspectives of their lives before and after the violent hate crime that changed both their futures. This tragic but ultimately inspirational journey of two polarized teens, their violent first meeting, and their peaceful reunion years later is an unforgettable story of survival and forgiveness.This story is inspired by the real lives of Matthew Boger and Timothy Zaal, who have shared their story on The Oprah Winfrey Show and NPR.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Gay, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

First published November 4, 2009

About the author

Davida Wills Hurwin is the author of A Time for Dancing (an ALA Best Book for Young Adults) and The Farther You Run. She teaches theater at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences and lives in Southern California with her husband, Gene, and their daughter, Frazier Malone.

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had the potential to be really good, but I feel like the author missed the boat here. Based on a true story of a hate crime, both the victim and the perpetrator worked with the author to tell this fictionalized version of the story. However, almost the whole book was about the time leading up to the bashing, and the difficult childhoods experienced by each man. There was almost no exploration of what caused this one-time Nazi in the punk scene to change his views, or the process the victim went through to heal and, after meeting his one-time attacker by chance years later, decide to work together with him. That's the real story to me, and it wasn't told. It felt like only half the story was there. Shouldn't readers not only be told about hate and abuse but also learn how people are able to forgive and change as well?

Also, in terms of the writing, the author didn't characterize the family members very well, or differentiate the narrative voices enough, because I had a difficult time telling each narrator apart. I kept having to check the fonts to tell which story I was reading. While they had similarly abusive fathers and dysfunctional families, they are vastly different people and it shouldn't have been difficult. Disappointing.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freaks and Revelations tells the story of Doug, a seventeen-year-old punk rocker, and Jason, a gay thirteen-year-old kicked out of his house by his unforgiving mother. Doug's anger slowly transforms him into a hateful person. Jason scavenges a meager living on the streets, hustling and taking tricks to keep himself alive. Then, on one fateful night, the two cross paths - with the result being anything but good. This book is about what led up to that horrible act, and the healing, learning, and forgiveness that follows.

I liked the message in this book: to appreciate everyone for who they are, and to hate no one. Indeed, it was an insightful read and opened my eyes to the things that occur on a daily basis, whether I would like to know or not.

I wish the writing was a bit more passionate though - I felt as if something was missing from the two character's stories. The healing process at the end seemed a bit rushed.

Overall this book reminded me of Ellen Hopkins' books, except for the prose. There are a lot of cringe-inducing moments so I would only recommend this to people who think they can handle it.

[Karma · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw this book, the impression I got from it was not the same as what came from reading it. I mean, I knew what it was about and all, but I didn't really expect it to be the way it was.
I didn't expect the "N" word to be in there at all! I think that's a part of why this book was the way it was for me.
I started out loving Doug, feeling horrible for him, with his abusive father and everything, and loving him so much from the very second he saw the Ramones play and threw on that punk attire. He was badass and amazing and totally knew what he was all about, and because of that, and because of his childhood, I was able to ignore his racist ways for most of the book, until it got really bad. Until he became a skin head and hung out with Nazis and almost killed a kid just because he was gay. Until his stupid biker girlfriend beat up a Spanish woman just because she wasn't white. Until his little girl and boy sat in the cart at the grocery store pointing at a black woman and calling out that they were the "N" word.
I hate Doug now, and it doesn't matter that he changed because all of that is just so horrible. He could have ended world hunger and I think I would still hate him. It doesn't matter that Jason - the gay kid who he almost killed - forgave him, or that the read Doug and Jason (Matthew and Tim) are friends. I myself can't forgive him and I kinda hate myself for not being able to but I just can't. It was disturbing and Racist Prejudiced attitudes and behavior just get to me I guess.
I felt so bad for Jason. He, I was able to love throughout the entire book. I almost cried for him when his mother threw him out. When his dad stopped looking at him, when his brother said that he wasn't his brother anymore. And my heart reached out to him when he was alone on the streets, and throughout all the dirty horrible things he had to do just to stay alive. He was only fourteen and nobody loved him just because he was gay. It was so sad. His mother was psychotic, and I hate her for what she did to him.
Maybe it's because I got to love Jason so much, that I came to hate Doug so greatly? Maybe if he'd beaten some random gay kid who'd never been mentioned to me, I wouldn't despise him now.
I don't think so. Maybe I'd hate him less, but I'd still hate him. This being a true story (to some degree) makes it all so much worse. I dunno.
All in all, I found the book fairly enjoyable. It was a good read and it went by quickly and it was easy for me to see what the characters were going through, but the end ruined it for me. I know that it's how the story really goes, but Davida could have written more in depth about Doug and Jason's transformation after the incident rather than skimming over it as if it was unimportant, which is just stupid since there were plenty of pages of Doug just doing drugs or trying to cheat on his girlfriend. I gave it three stars, but I guess I'm being a little generous.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what I would call insightful. It's a definite eye opener to the world around you. Davida Hurwin did an excellent job building these characters. Based on Matthew Boger and Timothy Zaal's story; Davida managed to really catch the message they were trying to get across.
I cried during this book; being an adult I see this all around me and it's disturbing. I was glad to see a YA book that was so honest and straightforward. No sugarcoating was involved.
While my daughter is still too young right now, this book will be staying on my shelf till she's old enough to read it. I think it's so IMPORTANT to educate our kids about being prejudice and I think that this book can aid in that. It can definitely get the message out to different groups of kids effectively.
Personally I think this book would be great for kids from about 8th grade on up. (Maybe even younger at the parent's discretion) I think it should be on ALL library shelves.
For parents: If you have teens...buy this book for your kids (or get it from the library). It teaches us something so vital in life...ACCEPTANCE.

[John Marr · Rating 1 out of 5]

An overwrought, overated, and, (what really bugs me) inaccurately detailed look at a punk-on-gay hate crime of the LA variety. Although Hurwin gets the basic trajectory punk/hardcore/skinhead trajectory down right (a tough arc to get wrong), she makes the classic narrative goof of trying to add realism to her background by adding too many details that are simply wrong. For example: her punk goes to see Black Flag at the Whiskey in 1977, where singer Dez Cadena jumps on him. Not only was the band not called Black Flag in 1977 and Dez Caz almost three years away from picking up the mike, there weren't even bands like Black Flag playing the Whiskey in 1977. It's like having your character go see the Beatles at Woodstock: jarring, needless details which the author thinks are smart but are just really, really dumb.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been tying to find this book for almost a year now, while only remembering the plot. I can finally rest knowing I didn’t just make the book up.

[Ms. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davida Wills Hurwin worked closely with Timothy Zaal and Mathew Boger to tell the story in Freaks and Revelations, which was inspired by the two men. Zaal and Boger first encountered each other when they were teens, when Zaal brutally beat Boger because he is gay, and left him alone and bloody in an alley. The men later reconnected, by coincidence, when working with The Museum of Tolerance. After their story was reported in the LA Times, Hurwin’s agent approached her about using their real-life story as the basis for a book.

Freaks and Revelations is the book that came from that story. While most of the book is fictional, the beating in the alley and their subsequent “reunion” is true. Hurwin’s book traces two young men, Doug (Zaal) and Jason (Boger) through their lives, trying to explain how one became so very angry, while the other found the strength and courage to go on and, eventually, to forgive.

Hurwin’s words are powerful, and while many will object to the language, drug use, sex, and situations in this book, the story represents the truth of Doug and Jason’s lives. While most readers will not have lived the extreme lives of these two young men, they may identify with feeling unaccepted by their parents or peers, and they will know what it means to feel trapped by their surroundings. Freaks and Revelations shows that people can change for the better, though it doesn’t happen overnight or easily. While this book would spark good classroom discussion, it will be controversial with some and might be a better choice for outside reading.

[Gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaks and Revelations by Davida Wills Hurwin is based on true events and tells the heartbreaking story of prejudice, hate and redemption. We meet two boys from two very different backgrounds set on a collision course that will impact and change their lives forever. What happens when a skinhead Neo-Nazi meets a young gay boy all alone and living on the streets? Will ignorance and prejudice just breed more violence or can love and understanding change hearts? This story is a tearjerker that paints an ugly portrait of growing up alone and without parental guidance or care during the volatile 70s. Beautiful in its lyrical writing and moving content, this book is a must read!
I would most definitely recommend this to parents of all ages. It’s never too late to learn how to show your kids love and acceptance no matter what. It’s also never too late to teach compassion and understanding. I recommend this to teenagers struggling with sexual identity or those trying to understand someone else’s struggle. A great book to use for teaching real life experiences about hate and prejudice.

[Charles Lai · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel Freaks and Revelations by Davida Wills Hurwin is a crazy story you would never expect to be real. Freaks and Revelations is about two very different teenagers, a seven-teen year old named Doug and a four-teen year old named Jason. Doug is a violent misfit neo-nazi who basically hates everyone. Jason had a life no one would really want because he was kicked out of his house for being gay. The story took place around ten years after the civil rights movement was ended, so a lot of people still weren't really accepted in society yet. Most of the story looks in to Doug's and Jason's lives before they encountered each other. These two characters seemed very realistic from the time they lived in. Doug was only one of the many racist people back then and Jason was not excepted to the family for being gay because it wasn't socially correct and his family was also christian. I really enjoyed reading the book and then I found out it was based on lives of two men. It's odd how things can work out for better or worse.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is based on a true story about two teenagers who stand out; it's told in two perspectives: Jason, 14, ends up, towards the end of the book, being beaten up by Doug, 17. Then, nineteen years later, they see each other again and apologize.

This book was definitely not my favorite. I had to roll my eyes every time Doug said "That's Punk" or even when the author capitalized the word "punk". I only picked the book because it had an attractive cover-Pretty Rainbow Words!!!-which has taught me NOT to judge a book by it's cover. And that expression most often means when you read a book with the most horrifyingly ugly cover, and it's a pretty great book-except, unfortunately, this book is the opposite. Can someone PLEASE make an uglier cover for this book?

[Pia]

* The story flips back and forth between two characters, both written in first person POV, which is very unnecessarily confusing.

* I read half the book and very little happened. At that point, I came back here and skimmed reviews to learn that would continue for most of the book. Give me something to keep me curious about the characters please.

Between the slow, uninteresting pace and the struggle with the odd POV style of writing, I cannot finish this book. I paid ten bucks for this paperback and I've read many more books that were cheaper and more enjoyable.

[Genn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the message in this book is extremely important but it had so much more potential. I feel like I could've felt more sympathy to the characters if it was written slightly better and I also felt like the end was rushed and we don't really see how the characters learn from their past, which is quite an important part of the story. The only reason I enjoyed this book was because it had a good message and it was based on a true story which made it even more fascinating to me.

[Carrie-Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This story is based on the real life event that happened between Matthew Boger and Timothy Zaal. In the late 80's Zaal and a bunch of Neo-Nazi's beat Boger so badly for 30 odd years Zaal believed he had killed a kid. And what was the reason behind this horrific act of violence? Matthew was gay. Almost 30 years after this incident, the two of the met again by chance at the Museum of Tolerance.

This is fiction, pieces of the story were inspired by the real lives of Boger and Zaal (who were both involved in the creation of this book), and the attack that happens in the book is true. We follow the lives of Doug and Jason.

Doug comes from a rough home, with an abusive father. He takes out his frustration by going to punk rock show, getting in with the skin head Nazi crowd, beating people up for fun and getting high on drugs and alcohol.

Jason, 3 years younger than Doug, comes out to his extremely religious mother, who throws him out for being a sinner. This takes him to the streets, where he has to hustle to survive. This is also where he runs into Doug and his mob.

I feel like this book could have been a lot more impactful, it fell short for me. Maybe if it were non fiction, or maybe if the beating incident happened half way through the book, we would have had a much more well rounded story. As it stands, the main incident, and the whole point of this book happens extremely close to the end, which means we don't get to see the full impact it has on each character. Jason gets beaten up, Doug feels a bit rough the next day, then we jump multiple years at a time for a few short pages each to show random points of each character life. It felt cheap, an easy way to jump forward and say 'oh look, now they've met again and can heal' rather than actually showing us the healing, and especially the turning points for Doug to go from a Nazi punk who beat people up for fun, to a speaker at the Museum of Tolerance.

I admire Hurwin for creating this book, and the fact both of the guys were personally involved in creating this shows that she must have done a decent enough job. I just think we got too much back story - the same sort of things happening over and over (punk shows, beating people up, hustling, sleeping rough) - and not enough of the after effects. I mean Jason goes from a street kid to an international stylist to the stars Give me more info on how this happened at least!

To end this I'll post a few quotes by Matthew and Timothy, and the link to The Forgiveness Project page about them


---'Tim and I had known each other for a few months before one day we both realised that Tim was the person who had brutally attacked me that night. At first I felt complete numbness, then this surge of anger as I imagined what I’d like to do to him. That scared me.'
---'There had been so much violence that night and such a complete lack of humanity that I didn’t want Tim to get away with it. But as our presentation evolved, so did our relationship, and so too did the process of forgiveness.'--- Matthew Boger

---'On the evening we attacked Matthew there was a heightened level of aggression. We were out to “Kill the faggots”. I noticed that the group I was with had beaten someone to the ground but he was still moving so I went up and said, “What’s wrong with you guys, don’t you know how to put a boot in? “ Then I kicked him hard in the forehead. For years after I thought I’d perhaps killed this person.'
---'Every facet of my life had something to do with the white power movement until I had a child and something shifted. One day I was with my son in a grocery store and he said, “Look daddy, there’s a big black….” (and he used the ‘N’ Word). I realised it didn’t make me feel good or powerful. I was shamed. The violence wasn’t working anymore.'--- Timothy Zaal


The Forgiveness Project

[Idit Bourla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely important one for everyone to read or at least know.
Do not have much to tell, at a whole I cannot really say anything because again, it is a true story, so who am I to even dare critisizing. It resembled a lot another tragic abusive story, A Child Called "It", telling Dave Pelzer's story, around his abusive mother.
For anyone who does not follow, Freaks and Revelations is an extremely violent and hard book, telling the true story of two different kind of boys, one of them is gay and kicked out of home with no other choice, sells his own body and lives on the streets. The other lives with an abusive father, one angry boy, who feels alone in this world and wake up every morning with no special reason, hates everyone and addicted to violent and beating. The two meet each other by accident, well they do not actually meet, the violent boy sees the gay boy and decides to kill him, just like that. The gay boy survives and they meat again after twenty years or so. They are now friends and keep on spreading the word about the true meaning of living.
This is a hardcore story, revolves around everything, drugs and violent and abuse and sexual identity and rape and life in the streets. Some massive load of themes and I admit, it was hard to read it. It was facinating but hard and challenging.
It reminded me a lot another book I read before, again about two different boys, going through together a trauma, one of them being a hustler on the streets and a drug addict, in Mysterious Skin. There is one difference - it is not a true story. That is why I could enjoy it more, even though it was hard.
Because of that, I believe every single one I know and their friends and families should read it or at least know the story, because these tragedies are still out there, I wish they were not but they are.
I adore them both for being such heros, Matthew (Jason) for surviving all these terrible things happened to him, and Tim (Dougie) for being able to say he was sorry and admit his mistakes. I also adore the author for exposing their story.
Wish for a better world, etc.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEET. MOTHER. OF DARKNESS.

Guys, I was not prepared for this book.

Honestly, I kind of feel like I've been run over by a truck. This was one of the most intense books I've read in a long time and that is all due to Hurwin's mastery of crafting visceral emotion with words. I felt it in A Time For Dancing and she really just ramped it up to 1,000 with this one.

And how could she not? When you're dealing with hate crimes, the violence of the Punk movement in the 1970s, broken homes, and child abuse, there's no excuse for writing a book that doesn't shake your readers to the core. Combine that with the fact that the climax of the book is based on the real experiences of 2 men from very different walks of life and it's no wonder that Hurwin was able to write a novel that propelled me as a reader into the very darkest vortexes of humanity and empathy.

Seriously, I'm sitting here trying to write a review that truly summarizes my experience reading this book and I can't. The violence was real, my heart broke about 8,000 separate times, and I gasped out loud more than once. I felt helpless, watching Doug and Jason go through their childhoods without anyone to hold them, to love them, to make them feel safe. All I wanted to do was bundle them both up in my arms and let them know they're valued, they're appreciated, and they're loved, but of course I couldn't.

I was more invested in this book than I've been for a long time with a novel. I don't think I can overstate how impactful this one was and how emphatically I would recommend it to basically anyone. It's written earnestly, honestly, vulnerably, and empathetically, and covers ground that most of us either shy away from or know nothing about.

I feel appropriately confronted and empowered to be a more compassionate person after reading this book.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[Luke Danielski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of two polarized teens set in California in the late 1900's. I read this book as a part of my English class book club in which we discussed, worked with, did projects, and picked apart the text extensively. It is set in two perspectives that jump back and forth throughout the book. In this time almost 30 years ago things are a lot different in the way Doug and Jason, the two main characters work to discover themselves in time of great hardship and unfortunate situations.

The story shows important life events from these two characters all leading up to one very impact night. It spirals through their lives leading up to the unlikely event that they meet. Doug has an abusive father and a group of friends who like to stay out late, smoke, fight, and party. Jason on the other hand, is gay, and ends up being homeless and rejected by his mother. In this coming of age novel, davida wills hurwin teaches us important life lessons such as, “You got to stand up for yourself,” and “You have to fight for what you believe”(198). The author demonstrates these lessons in very real ways throughout the entirety of this novel.

The way the author shows the consequences and scary truth of abusive and unhealthy relationships is very powerful. Both of these characters struggle to fit into society and are seen as outcasts. The way they bounce back and find their true selves in this realistic fiction novel is very moving. I enjoyed the way this book taught me to react and find positives in my everyday life. It also opened my eyes to the fact that there is always someone in this world worse off than you and you can remember this when things aren’t going your way. The perspective shifts giving two sides to neglect and isolation always keeps you on the edge of your seat while reading.

There is absolutely no dull moment in this novel and you will not get bored reading it. This is one of the big reasons I liked it so much. This book is very raw, straight up, and pulls you in to the characters lives on a personal level. If you are a person who wants to get a taste into what life was like just a few decades ago for troubled teens, this is a great option for you. It has a religion aspect as well with Jason's mom being heavy Christian which adds to the family trouble in this book. If you like to read and are open to a unique book that will touch your heart and make you appreciate your life so much more, then take a chance in experiencing the benefits you get from reading this book.

[Christian Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good read it was heartbreaking and cruel but the author did that to make you understand what she was trying to say. This book is about two boys one is gay the other one is a drug involved tough boy. The book is broken down into years leading up to the day they met and how it was horrific. A different chapter is either one or the others stories and how they we living leading up to the accident. It drawings in some real life problems that occurred around this time and the Matthew Sheppard case that took place. This was really a saddening book and shows how people treated others who were different back then and the struggles and the over comings we have now. I read this and now i'm appreciating the life i have now and that i haven't had it as rough as many did before me. I recommend this book to people who like historical fiction, you like drama, abuse and if you can relate to anything from this. I highly would read this book again and maybe will in the future.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried reading this bit of fluffy nonsense years ago and abandoned it because life is too short to waste on shite. Good intentions don't excuse mediocrity and being based on a true story provides even less justification. Maybe it was a story worth telling, maybe it wasn't, but you'll never known if you torture yourself reading this asinine bit of fluff.

The 1990s produced a mountain of mediocre 'gay' novels aimed at young people and most of them would be best forgotten - and that is a charitable attitude. In the case of this 'novel' the author clearly knows nothing about Punks, the 1970s, being gay or how to write. That she knows how to 'sell' a story idea to a publisher is obvious and unless you are the sort of person who thinks that being on the 'Ophra Winfrey Show' is a recommendation for good literature - anybody remember James Frey - then you aren't going to care about mine or any of the other negative reviews this idiotic book has collected.

[Logan Blais · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Novel by Davida Willis Hurwin was a good story putting two different personality's together. The story is of a seven teen year old neo nazi and a thirteen year old gay kid. I love the alternate viewing of story telling. Seeing things form each teen, the rights and wrongs. Both of there lives were tragic and its amazing to see them change over time into different people. I really like the message of the story bringing up concepts like love, fear and hate. It reminds me of one my favorite films american history x. My only problem with the story is the slight predictability of the characters on what they will do and how they end up. I would of course still recommend this novel as it is very inspirational and is a dark beautiful story.

[Amberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started and finished date - 20.06.25 to 21.06.25.
My rating - Two Stars.
This book was okay read, I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. Then was some part I liked but the other parts of the book boring and I think is book wasn't well flash out. This book was little bit like the musicals Rent. The cover of book was okay and I think people who like daisy jones and the six by Taylor Jenkins Reid may like is book. The writing was okay and the writing was easy to follow. I think the ending was a perfect conclusion for the book and the atmosphere was fine but it was bit bland. The paced of plot was too rush and I would have like is book longer. I have mixed feeling about most of the characters and I think most of the characters needed to flash out bit more.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! I cried - god - the whole way through. Towards the end, Jason says he cries for Matthew Shepard and for every other person out there that is hated, and I was crying too. I've not been through the same hell as the character - or the actual person - but I, and I'm sure all of us, have done the same thing on more than one occasion. When hate rings through, it's nearly impossible to not feel the loss.

Reading this book in light of events over even simply the past year, in light of Trump's presidency, gives me impossible hope that - even the slightest bit - hate will not ring true forever.

[Telaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically the book is about a neo nazi who attacks a homeless gay boy, but actually when you see both sides of the story they have more in common than they think and the story leads to a conclusionary lesson in respect.

however, the first 7/8 of the book gave me great enjoyment- but, the complicated layout of who’s perspective is who’s as well as the lengthy drag out of the characters backstory’s made the book end with an ending that seemed comparatively rushed.

great insightful description and intake of life as a teen in 1970’s CA but can confuse the reader and may frustrate those who get to the ending

[Liberty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to feel about this book. I found it interesting reading from Jason’s point of view and would have honestly preferred it if the book was just about him. Or maybe if Doug was painted as the villain of the story. Which he is. But he’s written as if he’s a protagonist.
He is actually the worst person I’ve ever read about. He’s disgusting and I hate him so much and I can’t believe that the author tries to redeem him and writes him as if he isn’t in the wrong. The reason that he decides to stop being an actual Nazi is so stupid and makes him look even worse, it doesn’t make him seem empathetic or sorry.

[LeroyXyuh_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love books with multiple point of views and this book had that. i loved the story of jason and how the author chose to tell his story, however doug was definitely a miss for me. the author didn’t really explain how the character doug goes from being this absolute terrible person being homophobic,racist, as well as a neo-nazi. she never really explained how the character’s behavior changes later on in the book. doug literally committed a hate crime to jason when jason was a 14-15 year old and jason just forgave him like that? there is a lot wrong with this book but i liked it us a way to kick off reason in february.

[Ren Jonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

to me, this book is one that isn't meant to make you feel comfortable and it makes it known quickly. the usage of slurs, while surprising to me at first, really shows the kind of people (and the time) doug grew up around and why he thinks and acts the way he does.

the general violence and abuse surrounding both characters makes you feel for them, the stereotypical teenage boy horniness made me roll my eyes, and the build up to the main event was enjoyable, though i felt the ending was lacking something.

all around good yet painful read! i found myself wanting to look away at times but couldn't put it down

[Jacob Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaks and Revelations a book with two different stories, two different perspectives, and two different lives. Two boys Jason and Doug both have a rough obstacle-filled life and go through these terrible events every day. These two boys all destined by fate become part of one disastrous night.
The thematic issue of sexuality and acceptance can be displayed throughout the story this can attract readers who can relate to this theme of sexuality and acceptance. This relates to the society we live in today and I think that this can easily be a great way to relate due to all the changes of sexuality of many others over the past years.
I think that this can show others what it's like for other people that feel and whose lives are similar to Jason's can relate to this book in a good way. This book can show others what it's like to be in the shoes of someone whos different with their sexuality and can see how it feels to not be treated equally. I feel like this book will help and make people be aware of others way of life and it can make their opinion change for good.
Describing these main characters Jason and Doug. Doug is 17 and a very violent person being in a punk group and gets into lots of fights and into a lot of violent situations. This can make a lot of people related if they feel similar to Doug because mostly everyone has a violent side to them if it is peaked. The background characters like both families of the two boys factor in a big role and can show recurring themes of abuse, social acceptance, family issues and violence in general. Like the theme of abuse can be seen on page 29 ¨Stupid asshole! Think you´re big enough now? Do Ya? Huh? Stupid shit!¨ as Doug's father continues to punctuate with kicks.
I feel that this book should be recommended for anyone in high school or anyone that doesn't feel accepted by their family and friends for who they are. This book can also be recommended to anyone that faces abuse and sexuality change.
This book can be easily related to by many people and I think that this can be a good book for people that also are the ones causing these people to not feel accepted as well.

[Nick Artrip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely not. I wasn't aware this was based on a true story going in. The racism, sexism, and homophobia found in Doug's story is disgusting and unsettling. Sure, maybe this book had potential, but it is difficult to overlook, especially as there was no real exploration of Doug's transformation from Nazi asshole to regular person. And this may seem an oversimplification, but no, absolutely no one, owes forgiveness to someone who commits a hate crime against them. It is not the job of oppressed and marginalized folks to heal the world for assholes like Doug.

[Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is graphic at times on topics you may not be used to hearing about, it's quite gripping. Had to read this for a school bookclub, and none of us could put it down-- that says a lot because literally no one ever reads school bookclub books. I think this story helps get a lot of important messages out there that wouldn't typically be discussed. Even if it doesn't seem like something you'd be interested in, you can't put it down.

[Iona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A difficult read at times. I really hated everything Doug stood for. I was a young teenager when punk first hit the U.K. music scene and I wasn’t attracted to it as a movement or the music. It was just too angry and violent for my liking. This was shown perfectly in Freaks and Revelations. I’m glad it ended as it did, almost a happy ending and not an anticlimax. Jason deserved the life he ended up with and Doug saw the error of his ways.

[ARB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me cry.
Made it through the whole thing but the last sentence did me in.
This book is so painful to read. I don't mean that it's badly written, it's written beautifully. I mean that it's so emotional and raw and real.
Maybe it's bc I know what it's like to be afraid, like Jason.
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.