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Fag
Aaron Garrett is many things in life: he is a son, a friend, a student, and caring boyfriend to his lovely girlfriend Leigh Ann. In these roles, he is kind, hardworking, smart, loving, dedicated, and considerate. At Jefferson High School, he is a leader, a football star, and well-respected by his peers. Aaron’s life is perfectly on track, he is pursuing a college scholarship and hopeful for the future, except for just one thing: Aaron Garrett is gay. When a former child star from Aaron’s small Southern town saturates the national media after making homophobic comments, Aaron’s life is turned upside down as supporters rally around the sentiments. Social media attention begins to swell nationally and locally until it begins to eat away at every part of Aaron’s existence.
166 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2014
236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 25, 2017
Description seems okay, but I can't read something with that kind of title. A derogatory word like that isn't something I tolerate well in dialogue. I can't read anything that uses derogatory labels like this one.
May 28, 2014
i didnt even read this but the title is offensive and disgusting and the author clearly used it for attention and does not understand how it is offensive and she is gross !
quarantined
May 1, 2014I've quarantined this for now. The title is an offensive, derogatory term, and appears to have been chosen for shock value only.
The blurb sounds interesting, dammit. Why, why, why was it given this title?
The blurb sounds interesting, dammit. Why, why, why was it given this title?
May 2, 2014
LeatherSkater reviews Fag by Krissy Bells
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW:
Does a rock hurt if someone throws it at you? Well, people would have had leafings if leaves would hurt being thrown. Leaves were definitely much more easy to find and collect, especially during the fall seasons. And they are lighter to move around too. I mean, try carrying a large bag of rocks down to the curb on trash day! Try throwing words at someone. Do they hurt? Not really, and people learn, especially as they mature, that words really are as shallow, and one dimensional, as the thrower themselves. Being the recipient of rocks thrown, I loved words better.
But, when you are a teen, and suddenly everyone around you changes their opinions of you because of a certain word thrown AT you, and you have no idea how to act, because of your age and your own immaturity of how to handle the word thrown at you, and everyone’s reaction to this word, you are lost in a sea of emotion and confusion without support or a place to anchor. This is the premise of Fag. Having gone through this myself, but not in this way, I got the book, and the writer’s intent. This is a powerful book. It is well written, thought provoking, and has some very good characters and scenes.
Thus said, it does have some weak points, like even in Rebel Without a Cause, Dean may not have noticed, or wanted to, but his dad really did want to help. Really did. I felt no real glimmer of intelligence of any teacher or adult catching on that maybe they needed to step in right then, even if they were rebuffed, so the sequences would still play out? I mean, they had to have been smart to become teachers? One was even gay and had pointed out about the word, he must have had some kind of gaydar ding? Mine does. I can’t think everyone in town would be immune? Anyways, my other concern, as things played out, there was no after writing to show reflection if anyone anywhere learned from mistakes. I suppose it made a more powerful ending, but, not everyone ended at that moment. I guess, being a reader, I always want more. Lol. But that is me. I loved the ending. But then, on reflection, I thought.. “heeeeeeeeeeeeey………..” lol
Anyways, I loved the book. Honestly.
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW:
Does a rock hurt if someone throws it at you? Well, people would have had leafings if leaves would hurt being thrown. Leaves were definitely much more easy to find and collect, especially during the fall seasons. And they are lighter to move around too. I mean, try carrying a large bag of rocks down to the curb on trash day! Try throwing words at someone. Do they hurt? Not really, and people learn, especially as they mature, that words really are as shallow, and one dimensional, as the thrower themselves. Being the recipient of rocks thrown, I loved words better.
But, when you are a teen, and suddenly everyone around you changes their opinions of you because of a certain word thrown AT you, and you have no idea how to act, because of your age and your own immaturity of how to handle the word thrown at you, and everyone’s reaction to this word, you are lost in a sea of emotion and confusion without support or a place to anchor. This is the premise of Fag. Having gone through this myself, but not in this way, I got the book, and the writer’s intent. This is a powerful book. It is well written, thought provoking, and has some very good characters and scenes.
Thus said, it does have some weak points, like even in Rebel Without a Cause, Dean may not have noticed, or wanted to, but his dad really did want to help. Really did. I felt no real glimmer of intelligence of any teacher or adult catching on that maybe they needed to step in right then, even if they were rebuffed, so the sequences would still play out? I mean, they had to have been smart to become teachers? One was even gay and had pointed out about the word, he must have had some kind of gaydar ding? Mine does. I can’t think everyone in town would be immune? Anyways, my other concern, as things played out, there was no after writing to show reflection if anyone anywhere learned from mistakes. I suppose it made a more powerful ending, but, not everyone ended at that moment. I guess, being a reader, I always want more. Lol. But that is me. I loved the ending. But then, on reflection, I thought.. “heeeeeeeeeeeeey………..” lol
Anyways, I loved the book. Honestly.
August 6, 2016
This was a really depressing book to read, although written very well at one level the it lacked some character development I would have liked to see at the book drew to a close. At first I was a little put off by the title, but at the same time it was what drew me to the book and intrigued me to want to look beyond the title, seeing that it also obviously had to do with football and homosexuality together.
Yes, this is a story that the plot has been done over and again, but its more than that as well. It captures the feelings of one young mans journey to come out and find acceptance with himself an his peers and God. Take out the peers and you still have a very intriguing book when you toss homosexuality and religion together.
The one thing I really disliked about this book was there was no growth and reflection at the end to show that the characters learned anything about this whole experience, instead it was filled with silence. Which is actually deserved with the way the book ends. Maybe that was the authors point all along.
Disclaimer:
I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of Goddess Fish Review Crew.
Yes, this is a story that the plot has been done over and again, but its more than that as well. It captures the feelings of one young mans journey to come out and find acceptance with himself an his peers and God. Take out the peers and you still have a very intriguing book when you toss homosexuality and religion together.
The one thing I really disliked about this book was there was no growth and reflection at the end to show that the characters learned anything about this whole experience, instead it was filled with silence. Which is actually deserved with the way the book ends. Maybe that was the authors point all along.
Disclaimer:
I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of Goddess Fish Review Crew.
August 23, 2015
A very disturbing book about a very sensitive and hot topic. However much I personally dislike the word"Fag", I think that Ms. Bell was dead-on by using such a raw, angry title for what she was conveying to her audience. As someone else mentioned, it was not a feel-good book but it was all about the tragic repercussions that can ruin lives of good people. The insensitivy of misguided people who truly believe that homosexuality is something a person can choose is something that we need to address and talk about. Don't shoot the messenger. She told it to us like it is.
The ony reason that I gave the book a three star rating was because she could have developed her characters to a much greater degree making for an outstanding book. Her characters, outside of Aaron, were somewhat one-dimensional. The text read like a fable not a novel --but, perhaps, that was her intent. The best writing was in seen in Aaron's journal. The chosen quotations throughout the book were well-thought out. I think we will be seeing more from Krissy Bells in the future. She definitely has potential. Plus, how could anybody not like a person with a dachshund named Harry?
The ony reason that I gave the book a three star rating was because she could have developed her characters to a much greater degree making for an outstanding book. Her characters, outside of Aaron, were somewhat one-dimensional. The text read like a fable not a novel --but, perhaps, that was her intent. The best writing was in seen in Aaron's journal. The chosen quotations throughout the book were well-thought out. I think we will be seeing more from Krissy Bells in the future. She definitely has potential. Plus, how could anybody not like a person with a dachshund named Harry?
May 3, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
2 stars
First of all, it’s important to know that this is not a romance in any way, shape or form. It is, I believe, intended only to be the story of Aaron’s coming out and all of the difficulties he faces. It is not a feel-good book. For having a title that could be seen as offensive to many people, it is also not graphic or vulgar in the slightest, other than the disgusting treatment by the homophobic community.
Besides being rather depressing and difficult to read, I am sad to say that the writing just wasn’t very good. There’s a lot of telling, not showing, which means quite a number of tedious details and really not a whole lot of anything going on. The characters were stereotypes — not one of the characters was anything but a predictable, shallow caricature of an ignorant bigot. The plot has been done a million times before, and the situations seemed both contrived and predictable.
Read Amy's review in its entirety here.
2 stars
First of all, it’s important to know that this is not a romance in any way, shape or form. It is, I believe, intended only to be the story of Aaron’s coming out and all of the difficulties he faces. It is not a feel-good book. For having a title that could be seen as offensive to many people, it is also not graphic or vulgar in the slightest, other than the disgusting treatment by the homophobic community.
Besides being rather depressing and difficult to read, I am sad to say that the writing just wasn’t very good. There’s a lot of telling, not showing, which means quite a number of tedious details and really not a whole lot of anything going on. The characters were stereotypes — not one of the characters was anything but a predictable, shallow caricature of an ignorant bigot. The plot has been done a million times before, and the situations seemed both contrived and predictable.
Read Amy's review in its entirety here.
June 10, 2014
It was a good book. The story was good and its kind of sad that people, especially teens, have to go through what the main character went through in the end. Its about this teen named Àaron who is a footbll player in his high school. He is a good son, good student, respectful young man. He has a girlfriend named Leigh Ann and he treats her with respect as well as being a good boyfriend. But what nobody nows about Aaron is that he is gay. This being set in a southern town a lot of people in town believe that being gay is one of the worst sins you can commit.
The book is a quick read. The writing style for the conversations between the characters was a bit I don't know, juvenile? I feel like there could have been less ''Aaron said'' ''Leigh Ann replied'' during the dialogues.
All in all it wasn't a bad book and even though I couldn't personally relate to the character I am sure there are a lot of people who can relate to hiding your true self to make everyone else happy.
The book is a quick read. The writing style for the conversations between the characters was a bit I don't know, juvenile? I feel like there could have been less ''Aaron said'' ''Leigh Ann replied'' during the dialogues.
All in all it wasn't a bad book and even though I couldn't personally relate to the character I am sure there are a lot of people who can relate to hiding your true self to make everyone else happy.
July 27, 2014
This book was definitely an 'issue book.'
It's got all of the qualities that an issue book has - lots of present Christianity, slightly preachy anti-bullying text, and a slight attempt at a plot twist.
That being said, it wasn't a bad read. I did enjoy it. The characters were, if a little flat, distinguishable from one another. The writing was decent. The plot, if predictable, was a fun thing to follow along with.
Overall, decent, but I would go in expecting an 'issue book.'
It's got all of the qualities that an issue book has - lots of present Christianity, slightly preachy anti-bullying text, and a slight attempt at a plot twist.
That being said, it wasn't a bad read. I did enjoy it. The characters were, if a little flat, distinguishable from one another. The writing was decent. The plot, if predictable, was a fun thing to follow along with.
Overall, decent, but I would go in expecting an 'issue book.'
September 30, 2014
I like it a lot. It tells the truths of today's society and how people believe being gay is such a wrong thing. Bells wrote the absolute truth - teens behavior, the secrets, the remorse, and how religion has manipulate every way of life. It shouldn't be about how you grew up, where you came from, what religion you are. It should only be about how you treat the world and what's in your heart. This story has touched me, thank you Kissy Bells.
May 4, 2014
This book gives wonderful insight into the reactions of friends and family of a popular high school football star, who makes the courageous decision to reveal that he is gay. It is touching and thoughtfully written.
August 31, 2016
2 Stars. Review to Come.
July 11, 2014
Loved this! Its like the things we don't really say but know is happening.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews