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The New David Espinoza
David Espinoza is tired of being messed with. When a video of him getting knocked down by a bully’s slap goes viral at the end of junior year, David makes a vow to use the summer to bulk up—what he thinks it takes to become a man—and wow everyone when school starts back up in the fall.
David starts to spend all his time at Iron Life, a nearby gym that’s full of bodybuilders. Frustrated with his slow progress at first, his life eventually becomes all about his muscle gains. As it says on the Iron Life wall, what does not kill me makes me stronger. As David falls into the dark side of the bodybuilding world, pursuing his ideal body at all costs, he’ll have to grapple with the fact that it could actually cost him everything.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
Is it worth it?
David starts to spend all his time at Iron Life, a nearby gym that’s full of bodybuilders. Frustrated with his slow progress at first, his life eventually becomes all about his muscle gains. As it says on the Iron Life wall, what does not kill me makes me stronger. As David falls into the dark side of the bodybuilding world, pursuing his ideal body at all costs, he’ll have to grapple with the fact that it could actually cost him everything.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
Is it worth it?
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2020
44 people are currently reading
2417 people want to read
About the author
Fred Aceves
7 books66 followersFred Aceves was born in New York to A Mexican father, and a Dominican mother, which makes him 100% Mexican, 100% Dominican, and 100% American. He spent most of his youth in Southern California and Tampa, Florida, where he lived in a poor neighborhood like the one described in The Closest I’ve Come.
At the age of 21 he started traveling around the world, living in Chicago, New York, The Czech Republic, France, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico, his father’s native land. Among other jobs, he has worked as a delivery driver, server, cook, car salesman, freelance editor, and teacher of English as a second language.
At the age of 21 he started traveling around the world, living in Chicago, New York, The Czech Republic, France, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico, his father’s native land. Among other jobs, he has worked as a delivery driver, server, cook, car salesman, freelance editor, and teacher of English as a second language.
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September 11, 2019FRIENDS! This is a book about steroid abuse and male body dysmorphia!!!!!! Can we please make sure to support and hype the shit out of this????
April 4, 2022
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
CW:
Well that was an intense 'journey' book that, whilst heavy on the education side, was still incredibly engaging.
Novels that explore body and muscle dysmorphia in males are quite rare so I think that makes this book important. According to the author's note there is an increase in men suffering mental health issues stemming from body image. David was a solid main character that felt quite authentic in terms of his decision making and thought processes as he sought to shake off the bullies by bulking up. It is so refreshing and wonderful to see a story exposing men's vulnerabilities and I think Fred did a great job of this. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of toxic masculinity in there, but it was portrayed as part of the expected behaviour of the body builders in this story. I don't have any knowledge of the accuracy of the steroid use etc but according to the author this is an ownvoice story. I may or may not have had a few tears towards the end...
I am really pleased we have a copy of this in the library but I will be sure to discuss the content warnings with anyone borrowing the book.
CW:
Well that was an intense 'journey' book that, whilst heavy on the education side, was still incredibly engaging.
Novels that explore body and muscle dysmorphia in males are quite rare so I think that makes this book important. According to the author's note there is an increase in men suffering mental health issues stemming from body image. David was a solid main character that felt quite authentic in terms of his decision making and thought processes as he sought to shake off the bullies by bulking up. It is so refreshing and wonderful to see a story exposing men's vulnerabilities and I think Fred did a great job of this. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of toxic masculinity in there, but it was portrayed as part of the expected behaviour of the body builders in this story. I don't have any knowledge of the accuracy of the steroid use etc but according to the author this is an ownvoice story. I may or may not have had a few tears towards the end...
I am really pleased we have a copy of this in the library but I will be sure to discuss the content warnings with anyone borrowing the book.
October 2, 2024
We so often encounter stories depicting the harsh realities of body image issues and eating disorders, but few of those stories cast a male as the main character. With "The New David Espinoza," author Fred Aceves offers readers a glimpse into the world of male body building, body dysmorphia, and steroid use. David Espinoza is not only bullied for his slender frame at school, but a video of him changing in the locker room while being slapped by a fellow student goes viral in the most negative way imaginable. This devastating experience inspires David to dedicate his summer months to putting on as much muscle as possible, but slow progress and a desperation to leave his "previous self" behind eventually leads David towards some tempting shortcuts with extremely high costs. Books from unique perspectives touching upon underexplored struggles are always appreciated, and readers of this novel might also enjoy "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini, "Heroine" by Mindy McGinnis, and "Skin and Bones" by Sherry Shahan - Christina B.
The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves narrates the story of a high school senior's transformation from zero to hero, which ends up being not as glamorous as anticipated. Motivated by a viral video of him getting slapped by a bully, David decides to begin a workout journey to create a better version of himself in order to stop the bullying and earn respect. This quickly turns south as he wrestles with the query- how far am I willing to go to get what I want? David toes the line with his new obsession every day, not looking back. This didactic YA novel deals with heavy themes of mental health and drug abuse and illustrates how seemingly instantaneous a life can shift when dealing with these issues. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read. - Adelina G., SPL Teen Volunteer
The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves narrates the story of a high school senior's transformation from zero to hero, which ends up being not as glamorous as anticipated. Motivated by a viral video of him getting slapped by a bully, David decides to begin a workout journey to create a better version of himself in order to stop the bullying and earn respect. This quickly turns south as he wrestles with the query- how far am I willing to go to get what I want? David toes the line with his new obsession every day, not looking back. This didactic YA novel deals with heavy themes of mental health and drug abuse and illustrates how seemingly instantaneous a life can shift when dealing with these issues. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read. - Adelina G., SPL Teen Volunteer
May 16, 2024
Hello everyone, I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we're discussing (He/Him) Fred Aceves's book, The New David Espinoza. This was my first time reading one of his work and after reading this one I do think that I would like to give his other book's a go.
The New David Espinoza was Published February 11th, 2020. The narrative, told using first person perspective following David and spans 32 chapters and 323 pages which also includes a prologue at the start.
Summary: When a video capturing his encounter with a bully’s slap goes viral at the conclusion of his junior year, David makes a solemn vow to spend the summer transforming himself—determined to emerge as a figure of strength and admiration when the new school year commences in the fall. His journey leads him to immerse himself in the world of bodybuilding, investing all his time and resources at Iron Life, a local gym teeming with seasoned bodybuilders. Struggling with the gradual pace of his progress, David finds himself consumed by the pursuit of muscle gains. Echoing the words inscribed on the walls of Iron Life, “What does not kill me makes me stronger,” David descends into the shadows of the bodybuilding realm, fixated on attaining his envisioned physique at any expense. As he confronts the looming reality that his relentless pursuit may exact a toll far greater than he anticipated, David must grapple with the possibility that his aspirations could come at an immense personal cost.
Review:
-The story demonstrated strong narrative abilities with well-developed characters, allowing readers to vividly imagine them. I found the book engaging and difficult to put down overall. However, I felt that certain aspects of the story, particularly the prolonged focus on the protagonist’s mental health decline, could have been balanced with more scenes depicting his recovery process. Additionally, some sentence structures appeared choppy, and there were instances where events were described directly to the reader rather than shown through action.
It did fearlessly delved into the narrative, portraying the David in a raw and unfiltered manner that may be challenging for some readers. Through a close first-person perspective, every toxic and disordered thought about his own body and others’ bodies was vividly depicted. The author deserves commendation for authentically sharing their own experiences with body dysmorphia, steroid use, and addiction recovery in the author’s note.
I appreciated the clever technique used in the book where, during scenes when the TV was on a news channel and David was listening to it, the text from the TV screen was presented in a different font, effectively making it stand out from the rest of the book.
-I found the interactions with the characters in the story to be quite engaging. The book effectively portrayed David’s struggles, prompting readers to empathize with him while also highlighting the negative impact of his actions on himself and those around him. As David’s character evolved, albeit becoming somewhat irksome, it was evident that his behaviour was driven by addiction rather than a conscious choice. I particularly enjoyed getting to know David’s younger sister and his father, and I believe further development of these primary and secondary characters would have enriched the narrative.
-I found the conclusion of the story to be somewhat abrupt, leaving me yearning for a more extended resolution. It was disheartening that David did not receive the closure he deserved in confronting his bully. As a reader, I empathized with Alpha’s character and hoped for a different outcome for him, yet the harsh realities portrayed in the narrative added to its authenticity. I believe this book has the potential to translate well onto the big screen, and if a movie adaptation is ever produced, I would watch it.
Honestly, I found myself getting emotional at several points while reading the book, and by the end, it had moved me to tears. I appreciated that the book concluded by providing a list of valuable resources for readers who may need support or wish to delve deeper into the subject matter.
-I was thrilled to discover that this book was also available in audiobook format, narrated by the talented Christian Barillas. The audio rendition significantly enhanced my reading experience, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the storyline. Christian's narration was not only clear and expressive but also adept at conveying the emotions of the characters in each scene. I appreciated how he differentiated each character by giving them a unique voice, adding depth and authenticity to the storytelling.
I rate each story I read out of 10 and for this one, I give it an 8.2 Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
The New David Espinoza was Published February 11th, 2020. The narrative, told using first person perspective following David and spans 32 chapters and 323 pages which also includes a prologue at the start.
Summary: When a video capturing his encounter with a bully’s slap goes viral at the conclusion of his junior year, David makes a solemn vow to spend the summer transforming himself—determined to emerge as a figure of strength and admiration when the new school year commences in the fall. His journey leads him to immerse himself in the world of bodybuilding, investing all his time and resources at Iron Life, a local gym teeming with seasoned bodybuilders. Struggling with the gradual pace of his progress, David finds himself consumed by the pursuit of muscle gains. Echoing the words inscribed on the walls of Iron Life, “What does not kill me makes me stronger,” David descends into the shadows of the bodybuilding realm, fixated on attaining his envisioned physique at any expense. As he confronts the looming reality that his relentless pursuit may exact a toll far greater than he anticipated, David must grapple with the possibility that his aspirations could come at an immense personal cost.
Review:
-The story demonstrated strong narrative abilities with well-developed characters, allowing readers to vividly imagine them. I found the book engaging and difficult to put down overall. However, I felt that certain aspects of the story, particularly the prolonged focus on the protagonist’s mental health decline, could have been balanced with more scenes depicting his recovery process. Additionally, some sentence structures appeared choppy, and there were instances where events were described directly to the reader rather than shown through action.
It did fearlessly delved into the narrative, portraying the David in a raw and unfiltered manner that may be challenging for some readers. Through a close first-person perspective, every toxic and disordered thought about his own body and others’ bodies was vividly depicted. The author deserves commendation for authentically sharing their own experiences with body dysmorphia, steroid use, and addiction recovery in the author’s note.
I appreciated the clever technique used in the book where, during scenes when the TV was on a news channel and David was listening to it, the text from the TV screen was presented in a different font, effectively making it stand out from the rest of the book.
-I found the interactions with the characters in the story to be quite engaging. The book effectively portrayed David’s struggles, prompting readers to empathize with him while also highlighting the negative impact of his actions on himself and those around him. As David’s character evolved, albeit becoming somewhat irksome, it was evident that his behaviour was driven by addiction rather than a conscious choice. I particularly enjoyed getting to know David’s younger sister and his father, and I believe further development of these primary and secondary characters would have enriched the narrative.
-I found the conclusion of the story to be somewhat abrupt, leaving me yearning for a more extended resolution. It was disheartening that David did not receive the closure he deserved in confronting his bully. As a reader, I empathized with Alpha’s character and hoped for a different outcome for him, yet the harsh realities portrayed in the narrative added to its authenticity. I believe this book has the potential to translate well onto the big screen, and if a movie adaptation is ever produced, I would watch it.
Honestly, I found myself getting emotional at several points while reading the book, and by the end, it had moved me to tears. I appreciated that the book concluded by providing a list of valuable resources for readers who may need support or wish to delve deeper into the subject matter.
-I was thrilled to discover that this book was also available in audiobook format, narrated by the talented Christian Barillas. The audio rendition significantly enhanced my reading experience, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the storyline. Christian's narration was not only clear and expressive but also adept at conveying the emotions of the characters in each scene. I appreciated how he differentiated each character by giving them a unique voice, adding depth and authenticity to the storytelling.
I rate each story I read out of 10 and for this one, I give it an 8.2 Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
March 28, 2020
Steroids and body dysmorphia isn't an oft told tale. This was an OK book that read a little bit like an after-school special.
March 29, 2020
2.5/5
I liked the cover and the synopsis so much. It's like a scarring get-fit montage played with an evil "Eye of The Tiger" in the background.
The topic of male body image is rarely tackled, but it wasn't very well-done here. I feel as if the author told us rather than showing the problem and letting us connect the dots.
I liked the cover and the synopsis so much. It's like a scarring get-fit montage played with an evil "Eye of The Tiger" in the background.
The topic of male body image is rarely tackled, but it wasn't very well-done here. I feel as if the author told us rather than showing the problem and letting us connect the dots.
August 25, 2020
More reviews like this one at MrsReaderPants.
Several years ago, I read Gym Candy by Carl Deuker. A book with a football player in full gear on the cover, Gym Candy was certainly not the kind of YA book I normally gravitate toward. I read it simply because it was on the Texas LoneStar Reading List that year.
Surprisingly, I loved Gym Candy, a gritty look at a high school football player who falls into steroid drug use. The New David Espinoza reminds me of Gym Candy. I enjoyed David Espinoza's story and recommend it highly for all high school libraries.
THE SHORT VERSION
A super-important book for all high school libraries. I like the emphasis on body dysmorphia in males and the fact that in the beginning, David isn't even an athlete at all.
WHAT I LIKED
This book holds nothing back. Descriptions of steroid use and its effects on the human body aren't pretty. David is candid about his painful, steroid-induced back acne, the impact of roid rage on his relationships, and the effects on his sex drive and reproductive organs. Descriptions of injection and details of how steroids are actually used also appear throughout the story. No sugar-coating here.
Body and muscle dysmorphia in males is a major part of the story, and I loved how author Fred Aceves writes of his own experiences with steroids and compares it with anorexia and bulimia in the Author's Note.
David is surrounded by supportive friends and family. David's father is an excellent role model, and David is close to his eight-year old sister, Gaby. He also has several supportive friends and a nice girlfriend.
I also like the emphasis on toxic masculinity. Boys and teens are too-frequently told to "man up" and "stop crying." Our societal gender expectations aren't confined to only girls. This book will surely help readers (both male and female) become more aware of body dysmorphia and possibly recognize it in themselves or their friends. There aren't very many YA books about steroid use, and this is the only one I know of that addresses body dysmorphia in males.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I know it's realistic that David's high school doesn't appear to address the bullying in any way, but oh, it just hurts my heart that David feels his only recourse is to get on steroids. If I were David's father (who knew about the viral YouTube video early on), I would have pressed charges against the bully and his family. I would have been at the school the very next day. This assault--YES, it's an assault--and video clearly happened on school property. Perhaps if the adults around David did a better job standing up for his right to a peaceful existence, David would never have gotten on steroids to begin with.
There is absolutely no way I would sit passively by (like David's dad did) and let my minor child deal with all that on his own. I would have had a restraining order issued against that Ricky kid, and the school would have had to deal with keeping the boys separated. There is no reason David should have had to just suck all that up (and ultimately enroll in another school).
I know that bullying isn't easy to deal with, but if that kind of beat-down happened to an adult, you better believe lawyers and police would be involved. Why should this snot-nosed kid get away with it just because he is in high school? How could the school be unaware of this? David's locker is vandalized, and the school's custodian just casually paints it over? Every school I've worked in had cameras in the hallways. If school admin cared at all, they should have known who painted profanity on David's locker. And do none of the teachers or admins have kids at this school who might have told them about the viral video? Are there really no students who brought this to the attention of a teacher or admin? I don't believe for one second that the school wasn't aware.
And who's to say Ricky isn't bullying other kids even worse than David? Bullies don't just stop; this kind of behavior is part of their personality.
DIVERSITY
David, his family, and one of his friends are Mexican-American. David's girlfriend Karina hails from a Puerto Rican family. David's family is not poor, but they do have to watch their money. David is saving up for a used car and works in his dad's garage business and later, in the gym where he works out.
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
Themes: bullying, steroid use, mental health, body dysmorphia, muscle dysmorphia, death of a parent, grief, bodybuilding, weightlifting, toxic masculinity
Would adults like this book? Yes. I actually think high school teachers should read this book so they can better-recognize the signs of steroid use in their students.
Would I buy this for my high school library? YES! Students who read it will be able to recognize David in themselves or in their friends.
Would I buy this for my middle school library? No. The content is more appropriate for high school.
TRIGGER WARNINGS
Language: medium-high; plenty of profanity and slang references to male anatomy
Sexuality: medium; David and Karina have been sexually active in the past, but do not have sex during the book. Male masturbation, arousal, and impotence are also referenced several times.
Violence: low-medium; multiple incidents of bullying, cyber-bullying, and assault
Drugs/Alcohol: high; steroid use, administration, and side effects (both short- and long-term) are main plot points
Other: David frequently lies to his father and bribes his 8-year old sister with candy to cover for him
Several years ago, I read Gym Candy by Carl Deuker. A book with a football player in full gear on the cover, Gym Candy was certainly not the kind of YA book I normally gravitate toward. I read it simply because it was on the Texas LoneStar Reading List that year.
Surprisingly, I loved Gym Candy, a gritty look at a high school football player who falls into steroid drug use. The New David Espinoza reminds me of Gym Candy. I enjoyed David Espinoza's story and recommend it highly for all high school libraries.
THE SHORT VERSION
A super-important book for all high school libraries. I like the emphasis on body dysmorphia in males and the fact that in the beginning, David isn't even an athlete at all.
WHAT I LIKED
This book holds nothing back. Descriptions of steroid use and its effects on the human body aren't pretty. David is candid about his painful, steroid-induced back acne, the impact of roid rage on his relationships, and the effects on his sex drive and reproductive organs. Descriptions of injection and details of how steroids are actually used also appear throughout the story. No sugar-coating here.
Body and muscle dysmorphia in males is a major part of the story, and I loved how author Fred Aceves writes of his own experiences with steroids and compares it with anorexia and bulimia in the Author's Note.
David is surrounded by supportive friends and family. David's father is an excellent role model, and David is close to his eight-year old sister, Gaby. He also has several supportive friends and a nice girlfriend.
I also like the emphasis on toxic masculinity. Boys and teens are too-frequently told to "man up" and "stop crying." Our societal gender expectations aren't confined to only girls. This book will surely help readers (both male and female) become more aware of body dysmorphia and possibly recognize it in themselves or their friends. There aren't very many YA books about steroid use, and this is the only one I know of that addresses body dysmorphia in males.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
I know it's realistic that David's high school doesn't appear to address the bullying in any way, but oh, it just hurts my heart that David feels his only recourse is to get on steroids. If I were David's father (who knew about the viral YouTube video early on), I would have pressed charges against the bully and his family. I would have been at the school the very next day. This assault--YES, it's an assault--and video clearly happened on school property. Perhaps if the adults around David did a better job standing up for his right to a peaceful existence, David would never have gotten on steroids to begin with.
There is absolutely no way I would sit passively by (like David's dad did) and let my minor child deal with all that on his own. I would have had a restraining order issued against that Ricky kid, and the school would have had to deal with keeping the boys separated. There is no reason David should have had to just suck all that up (and ultimately enroll in another school).
I know that bullying isn't easy to deal with, but if that kind of beat-down happened to an adult, you better believe lawyers and police would be involved. Why should this snot-nosed kid get away with it just because he is in high school? How could the school be unaware of this? David's locker is vandalized, and the school's custodian just casually paints it over? Every school I've worked in had cameras in the hallways. If school admin cared at all, they should have known who painted profanity on David's locker. And do none of the teachers or admins have kids at this school who might have told them about the viral video? Are there really no students who brought this to the attention of a teacher or admin? I don't believe for one second that the school wasn't aware.
And who's to say Ricky isn't bullying other kids even worse than David? Bullies don't just stop; this kind of behavior is part of their personality.
DIVERSITY
David, his family, and one of his friends are Mexican-American. David's girlfriend Karina hails from a Puerto Rican family. David's family is not poor, but they do have to watch their money. David is saving up for a used car and works in his dad's garage business and later, in the gym where he works out.
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
Themes: bullying, steroid use, mental health, body dysmorphia, muscle dysmorphia, death of a parent, grief, bodybuilding, weightlifting, toxic masculinity
Would adults like this book? Yes. I actually think high school teachers should read this book so they can better-recognize the signs of steroid use in their students.
Would I buy this for my high school library? YES! Students who read it will be able to recognize David in themselves or in their friends.
Would I buy this for my middle school library? No. The content is more appropriate for high school.
TRIGGER WARNINGS
Language: medium-high; plenty of profanity and slang references to male anatomy
Sexuality: medium; David and Karina have been sexually active in the past, but do not have sex during the book. Male masturbation, arousal, and impotence are also referenced several times.
Violence: low-medium; multiple incidents of bullying, cyber-bullying, and assault
Drugs/Alcohol: high; steroid use, administration, and side effects (both short- and long-term) are main plot points
Other: David frequently lies to his father and bribes his 8-year old sister with candy to cover for him
September 18, 2020
TRIGGER WARNING: Steroid Abuse, Body Dysmorphia, Muscle Dysmorphia, Body Image Issues
This book is anything but light.
I honestly have no words to describe The New David Espinoza. It is such a heavy book that explicitly focuses on muscle dysmorphia and toxic masculinity. It is an important book and I think that everyone should read it considering its narrative voice and how it clearly shows the obsessive and often destructive nature of body negativity.
David Espinoza is someone you would consider to be "skinny". After a video of himself getting slapped by his bully makes him famous on Youtube, David decides to spend the summer "bulking up" in order to prove himself as a man. Things quickly go from bad to worse when David becomes all about his muscle gains, eating foods that can fuel his muscles and starts intense work out regimes to equate to his perceptions of a "perfect body." So obsessed he becomes with this figure that he starts taking steroids (despite the health risk) because... no pain no gain right?
I must admit at the start of the book, I was very wary of how I would find the narrative voice. I knew that if it was first person perspective, I'd be seeing all this obsessiveness over body image and muscle gains. I have to say, after the bullying incident, things did get very intense and heavy and things went very quickly down the wrong path. The voice was, as I expected, obsessive as well which I found a little bit confronting but perfect for the kind of story Fred Aceves had to tell. After around page 200, things start easing off a little bit and the narrative voice did become less intense as David's obsessiveness started to ease off a little as well.
I did find the book very insightful though as I never really gave much consideration to men's body image issues. We hear so much of it surrounding girls with anorexia nervosa and bullimia being prevalent issues in today's youth culture however, I think it is dangerous to assume it's only women who have to deal with poor body image. As superheroes, video game characters and characters seen on screen grow larger in muscle size, so does this extreme pressure to look a certain way dissimilar to what is actually achievable by natural processes. In most cases, this is due to the use of steroids that grow the muscle and gives a person a larger size. Unfortunately, considering steroids are considered as a "taboo" topic, most people are unaware of the dangers and are often lead astray thinking that if they "work out" they would look just like them. This ideology can result in a person feeling terrible about what they associate as a "lack of progress" which was the common trend for David Espinoza. He constantly tried to grow bigger, grow bigger and even bigger and started thinking that he was "small" in comparison to others. Eventually, this became the reverse as he started to think his body above other people's and kept taking steroids. I am just mad that it took a great tragedy for him to realise the harm that his mentality was having on his mental, emotional and physical health.
Even as his family, school life and friendships crumbled around him, he was still obsessed about his goal. He would surround himself with people who could help him achieve what he wanted to achieve. When David did discover muscle dysmorphia, he asked gym owner and professional body builder, Alpha, about what he thought about it which lead to a very interesting conversation that provided great insight into some of the misconceptions of body image issues and body dysmorphia. I particularly liked when Alpha asked David "What is the difference between what we are doing [body building/steroid taking] and motivation?" (or something along those lines) which opened up a channel for discussion where the barriers of toxic masculinity went down just a little bit. I definitely want to have more conversations about this topic and that is thanks to this book!
ACTUAL RATING: 4.3 STARS
This book is anything but light.
I honestly have no words to describe The New David Espinoza. It is such a heavy book that explicitly focuses on muscle dysmorphia and toxic masculinity. It is an important book and I think that everyone should read it considering its narrative voice and how it clearly shows the obsessive and often destructive nature of body negativity.
David Espinoza is someone you would consider to be "skinny". After a video of himself getting slapped by his bully makes him famous on Youtube, David decides to spend the summer "bulking up" in order to prove himself as a man. Things quickly go from bad to worse when David becomes all about his muscle gains, eating foods that can fuel his muscles and starts intense work out regimes to equate to his perceptions of a "perfect body." So obsessed he becomes with this figure that he starts taking steroids (despite the health risk) because... no pain no gain right?
I must admit at the start of the book, I was very wary of how I would find the narrative voice. I knew that if it was first person perspective, I'd be seeing all this obsessiveness over body image and muscle gains. I have to say, after the bullying incident, things did get very intense and heavy and things went very quickly down the wrong path. The voice was, as I expected, obsessive as well which I found a little bit confronting but perfect for the kind of story Fred Aceves had to tell. After around page 200, things start easing off a little bit and the narrative voice did become less intense as David's obsessiveness started to ease off a little as well.
I did find the book very insightful though as I never really gave much consideration to men's body image issues. We hear so much of it surrounding girls with anorexia nervosa and bullimia being prevalent issues in today's youth culture however, I think it is dangerous to assume it's only women who have to deal with poor body image. As superheroes, video game characters and characters seen on screen grow larger in muscle size, so does this extreme pressure to look a certain way dissimilar to what is actually achievable by natural processes. In most cases, this is due to the use of steroids that grow the muscle and gives a person a larger size. Unfortunately, considering steroids are considered as a "taboo" topic, most people are unaware of the dangers and are often lead astray thinking that if they "work out" they would look just like them. This ideology can result in a person feeling terrible about what they associate as a "lack of progress" which was the common trend for David Espinoza. He constantly tried to grow bigger, grow bigger and even bigger and started thinking that he was "small" in comparison to others. Eventually, this became the reverse as he started to think his body above other people's and kept taking steroids. I am just mad that it took a great tragedy for him to realise the harm that his mentality was having on his mental, emotional and physical health.
Even as his family, school life and friendships crumbled around him, he was still obsessed about his goal. He would surround himself with people who could help him achieve what he wanted to achieve. When David did discover muscle dysmorphia, he asked gym owner and professional body builder, Alpha, about what he thought about it which lead to a very interesting conversation that provided great insight into some of the misconceptions of body image issues and body dysmorphia. I particularly liked when Alpha asked David "What is the difference between what we are doing [body building/steroid taking] and motivation?" (or something along those lines) which opened up a channel for discussion where the barriers of toxic masculinity went down just a little bit. I definitely want to have more conversations about this topic and that is thanks to this book!
ACTUAL RATING: 4.3 STARS
November 30, 2022
This book is hard to rate. It covers a very important topic of male body dysmorphia, specifically muscle dysmorphia. There has been more discussion of this topic recently, but it still doesn't come near the spotlight, often being pushed out of the way for more gruesome topics teens deal with in today's online world. The narrative voice was a bit straight forward. David tells you his thoughts, often competing, as he obsesses over his physical size and whether he is finally achieving true manliness. But the depth of feeling is missing in this story. I'm not sure if the target audience would pick up this novel naturally. Due to some of the profanity in the story, schools would have a hard time adding it to the curriculum. I have a feeling this book is going to get lost on the shelf.
June 4, 2021
A decent read that I’d recommend to most teens as you rarely hear about how body dysmorphia impacts young boys. David is a penis and his development in the book is kind of awkward. The flow of the book wasn’t great but it did convey an important message so that’s nice. The climax was decent but not great. But I do love how the number of pages in a chapter appear to correlate with what happens in David’s life. Like when he finally confronts his dad, the chapter and the make up is quick and sweet. But overall, not the best read but pretty decent. I’d say a good 3.5.
dnfs
March 4, 2020Unfortunately, I didn't like the writing for this one. David came across as whiny and younger than his age.
December 1, 2022
(3.5) I love reading about heavier topics through YA books because they carefully, sensitively craft the stories in realism without overly graphic content. I can't imagine willingly reading a book about body dysmorphia and steroid addiction in any other sphere than YA. Another great book that discusses drug addiction/abuse through a teenager's eyes is Heroine, along with Roxy and hopefully the forthcoming Vape. This is a mental illness that is underrepresented in YA literature and I am determined to read all of them to further educate myself.
Bonus points to the author for writing a truly own voices story. In the author's note he shares his own journey with body dysmorphia, steroid use, and addiction recovery. The Mexican rep is also own voices. The book is also sex positive, which is always a win for me. Teenagers acting like teenagers in a book about teenagers? It's almost like that's the point of YA.
This book was honest and was unafraid to dive deep into this narrative, making the narrator almost unbearable to read about. The close first person perspective meant we saw every toxic, unhealthy, disordered thought that entered his mind, about his own body and everyone's body that he saw. I went into the story not knowing much of anything about steroids and now I know SO MUCH and I can never look at gym bros the same.
There is definitely some triggering content in this, so I did my best to explain the context for some to help anyone reading this make an informed reading decision.
C/TW: body dysmorphia and intrusive thoughts, steroid abuse and addiction, bullying, physical assault (on page), death by heart attack (on page), animal abuse*, vomiting (not main character, but moderately graphic), strict dieting and exercise**, toxic masculinity and misogyny, fatphobia, needles (graphic use, on page), past death of a parent (cancer)
*a dog is injected with steroids to see how big he'll get. The owner stops and we see the dog return to his normal self and size. The practice is never depicted on page and is not glorified, although it's also not explicitly denounced.
**will be very triggering for anyone recovering from an eating disorder. The behaviors are nearly identical.
I only give this book a 3.5 because like I said, it was UNBEARABLE at times to be in David's head. I also worry that the glorification of steroids lasts a bit too long. The pacing slows down at that point and if a teen is reading it and gets bored at that point they will completely miss the dire consequences and the main character coming to terms with his mental illness. I almost gave up at that point, and I'm quite glad I didn't, because the last 1/3 of this book is phenomenal. But if anyone stopped before that point they might walk away with the wrong takeaways.
Rep: Mexican lead, Puerto Rican side character
Bonus points to the author for writing a truly own voices story. In the author's note he shares his own journey with body dysmorphia, steroid use, and addiction recovery. The Mexican rep is also own voices. The book is also sex positive, which is always a win for me. Teenagers acting like teenagers in a book about teenagers? It's almost like that's the point of YA.
This book was honest and was unafraid to dive deep into this narrative, making the narrator almost unbearable to read about. The close first person perspective meant we saw every toxic, unhealthy, disordered thought that entered his mind, about his own body and everyone's body that he saw. I went into the story not knowing much of anything about steroids and now I know SO MUCH and I can never look at gym bros the same.
There is definitely some triggering content in this, so I did my best to explain the context for some to help anyone reading this make an informed reading decision.
C/TW: body dysmorphia and intrusive thoughts, steroid abuse and addiction, bullying, physical assault (on page), death by heart attack (on page), animal abuse*, vomiting (not main character, but moderately graphic), strict dieting and exercise**, toxic masculinity and misogyny, fatphobia, needles (graphic use, on page), past death of a parent (cancer)
*a dog is injected with steroids to see how big he'll get. The owner stops and we see the dog return to his normal self and size. The practice is never depicted on page and is not glorified, although it's also not explicitly denounced.
**will be very triggering for anyone recovering from an eating disorder. The behaviors are nearly identical.
I only give this book a 3.5 because like I said, it was UNBEARABLE at times to be in David's head. I also worry that the glorification of steroids lasts a bit too long. The pacing slows down at that point and if a teen is reading it and gets bored at that point they will completely miss the dire consequences and the main character coming to terms with his mental illness. I almost gave up at that point, and I'm quite glad I didn't, because the last 1/3 of this book is phenomenal. But if anyone stopped before that point they might walk away with the wrong takeaways.
Rep: Mexican lead, Puerto Rican side character
October 26, 2020
2 stars
I wanted to like this one so badly but I just… absolutely could not stand the main character. He was so insufferable for most of the story and so rude to literally everyone around him that I was just,,, confused as to how I was supposed to emphasize with him?? Or feel bad for him in any way?? Or, idk, care about what happened to him?? And like, I get that it might have been an intentional choice on the author’s part, but I just...was not impressed with it, either way. I appreciated the ending at least, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the way the plot played out and the character arc that our MC took.
I wanted to like this one so badly but I just… absolutely could not stand the main character. He was so insufferable for most of the story and so rude to literally everyone around him that I was just,,, confused as to how I was supposed to emphasize with him?? Or feel bad for him in any way?? Or, idk, care about what happened to him?? And like, I get that it might have been an intentional choice on the author’s part, but I just...was not impressed with it, either way. I appreciated the ending at least, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the way the plot played out and the character arc that our MC took.
March 6, 2020
This story of male body dismorphia, a topic so rarely explored, is an important one. We need to talk more openly about steroid abuse, toxic masculinity, and the unrealistic and harmful ideals young men--boys, in most cases--erase themselves to embody. But more than that, this story is big-hearted and brave in a way I admire. David can't help but endear himself to the reader, even when he's making terrible decisions and hurting those he loves most. Who among us can say we've never made similarly terrible decisions to make teenagehood more bearable? How many of us can sincerely claim we haven't done something self-harming, or at least unhealthy, to gain external approval? Don't a lot of us wish we'd had a book like this to give us some understanding and direction while we were in the middle of the storm and stress of those high school years, when the small stuff seemed huge and immutable, promising to define us forever?
I may not be the target audience here, but I think just about everyone will find something healing and hopeful in David's story if they search for it.
I may not be the target audience here, but I think just about everyone will find something healing and hopeful in David's story if they search for it.
February 8, 2020
#gifted Thank you @harperya360 for sending me this ARC for an honest review in return.
The New David Espinoza. I really, really wanted to love this book as it’s about male body dysmorphia and steroid abuse, but unfortunately it fell flat for me *face palm*.
This book covers a really important topic which has been rarely touched and I want people to read it and support it! Just because in the end it wasn’t my favourite book of all time doesn’t mean I want others to be put off by it! Please do pick up this book! It’s an own voices story!
I enjoyed the company of the characters in this book and it is emotional but it just didn’t come together for me in the end. I honestly wish it did.
It’s a different type of book and I know people out there will enjoy it!
The New David Espinoza. I really, really wanted to love this book as it’s about male body dysmorphia and steroid abuse, but unfortunately it fell flat for me *face palm*.
This book covers a really important topic which has been rarely touched and I want people to read it and support it! Just because in the end it wasn’t my favourite book of all time doesn’t mean I want others to be put off by it! Please do pick up this book! It’s an own voices story!
I enjoyed the company of the characters in this book and it is emotional but it just didn’t come together for me in the end. I honestly wish it did.
It’s a different type of book and I know people out there will enjoy it!
March 4, 2020
I appreciated this book, and I think it could prove very helpful to teens and young men who are struggling with body dysmorphia or related problems. That being said, it read more like a cautionary tale than a novel at times. I would have loved to see some of the secondary characters fleshed out a little more, and a little more time spent on the resolution. While the MC felt authentic to me, his decision making felt very abrupt. Overall a solid contemporary novel with a strong message.
May 18, 2020
An intense and unflinching look at muscle dysmorphia and steroid abuse in teenage boys. This is a really important book - I'm glad it exists and happy to have a copy in my HS collection. I felt so much for David and thought his characterization and impulsive decision making (that seemed logical to him) was really well done.
April 19, 2020
This book was a real eye opener. I never really considered that boys have similiar body image issues as girls. Thank you Fred Aceves for bringing your personal experience into David's character who I found to be very real.
October 28, 2023
This was like watching a slow-motion train wreck.
I appreciate the author telling this story. It's one I never considered to this extent. I'm aware that body-image issues are a thing for men just as they are for women, but it was still surprising to see the facts laid out in front of me like this. So often men's health is ignored or treated like a joke, which as someone with two brothers and a father and a number of male cousins I think is disgusting. People may say that the body dysmorphia is down to the patriarchy, but I find myself wondering if feminism isn't partly to blame. I think that take is too hot for Goodreads, so I won't be elaborating much here 😅 That is the take I'm running with though
I think what was most painful/successful about this was David's inner monologues. He doesn't sound "crazy" or obsessed necessarily, and it seems completely rational to him. It was absolutely chilling to read his thoughts from an outside perspective, knowing that he was getting things twisted up in his mind. Heartbreaking too, because I could see where things with his Dad and with Karina were going to end up, and I wasn't sure what the breaking point would be.
Speaking of David's dad, he was fantastic. It's rare to see good Dads in media - either the Dad is stupid, or mean, or uncaring, or some other unpleasant descriptor. But Mr. Espinoza knows what a man should be, and that was a breath of fresh air in the midst of David's increasingly messed-up mindset. Honestly, it was a breath of fresh air in the midst of real life too, because so often nowadays men are told that they don't have to protect or provide for the ones they love. David even says it himself at one point - "women can do that too," so he believes that his physical body is the only thing that sets him apart.
I'm not sure what to rate this book. It had a lot going for it. It was by no means a fun read, but I think the story is a necessary one (if nothing else, it was necessary for the author himself to write it). The language is too strong and too frequent for my taste, and I get that Aceves was going for authenticity, but I think it went a bit too far. I'm not sure if I would recommend this to a teen. Maybe if I thought they were struggling with something like this and needed the wake-up call, but I don't know that this book is for everyone.
I appreciate the author telling this story. It's one I never considered to this extent. I'm aware that body-image issues are a thing for men just as they are for women, but it was still surprising to see the facts laid out in front of me like this. So often men's health is ignored or treated like a joke, which as someone with two brothers and a father and a number of male cousins I think is disgusting. People may say that the body dysmorphia is down to the patriarchy, but I find myself wondering if feminism isn't partly to blame. I think that take is too hot for Goodreads, so I won't be elaborating much here 😅 That is the take I'm running with though
I think what was most painful/successful about this was David's inner monologues. He doesn't sound "crazy" or obsessed necessarily, and it seems completely rational to him. It was absolutely chilling to read his thoughts from an outside perspective, knowing that he was getting things twisted up in his mind. Heartbreaking too, because I could see where things with his Dad and with Karina were going to end up, and I wasn't sure what the breaking point would be.
Speaking of David's dad, he was fantastic. It's rare to see good Dads in media - either the Dad is stupid, or mean, or uncaring, or some other unpleasant descriptor. But Mr. Espinoza knows what a man should be, and that was a breath of fresh air in the midst of David's increasingly messed-up mindset. Honestly, it was a breath of fresh air in the midst of real life too, because so often nowadays men are told that they don't have to protect or provide for the ones they love. David even says it himself at one point - "women can do that too," so he believes that his physical body is the only thing that sets him apart.
I'm not sure what to rate this book. It had a lot going for it. It was by no means a fun read, but I think the story is a necessary one (if nothing else, it was necessary for the author himself to write it). The language is too strong and too frequent for my taste, and I get that Aceves was going for authenticity, but I think it went a bit too far. I'm not sure if I would recommend this to a teen. Maybe if I thought they were struggling with something like this and needed the wake-up call, but I don't know that this book is for everyone.
September 10, 2020
I picked this book up on a whim. Full disclosure: it's probably a 3.5, but I felt like it dealt with an important topic, and it was a quick read, so I rounded up to a 4.
David Espinoza is tired of being bullied. He's been picked on for being the skinniest guy for as long as he can remember, but it finally reaches a tipping point when Ricky, the resident jerk in school, has someone video tape him hitting David in the locker room. In a matter of 24 hours, David has gone from under the radar loser, to the most well-known kid in school with a new nickname "Bitchslap." Tired of this, he cuts ties with social media and joins a gym. His goal: gain 25 pounds of muscle over the summer. He starts off with a new nutrition plan and a solid workout calendar. But a week in, he hasn't made much progress. That's when he realizes what Alpha and all the muscle-heads in the gym already know: without gear (steroids) you aren't ever going to make any serious gains. So David decides to do one cycle, get his bulk up, and then cycle off when school starts. He's going to show everyone, Ricky included, that he isn't someone to be messed with.
As the story progresses, the pitfalls of steroids become PAINFULLY obvious. At times, it felt a bit stereotypical and the writing was a bit juvenile. That is the only real downfall to this book.
Recommended for most YA collections.
David Espinoza is tired of being bullied. He's been picked on for being the skinniest guy for as long as he can remember, but it finally reaches a tipping point when Ricky, the resident jerk in school, has someone video tape him hitting David in the locker room. In a matter of 24 hours, David has gone from under the radar loser, to the most well-known kid in school with a new nickname "Bitchslap." Tired of this, he cuts ties with social media and joins a gym. His goal: gain 25 pounds of muscle over the summer. He starts off with a new nutrition plan and a solid workout calendar. But a week in, he hasn't made much progress. That's when he realizes what Alpha and all the muscle-heads in the gym already know: without gear (steroids) you aren't ever going to make any serious gains. So David decides to do one cycle, get his bulk up, and then cycle off when school starts. He's going to show everyone, Ricky included, that he isn't someone to be messed with.
As the story progresses, the pitfalls of steroids become PAINFULLY obvious. At times, it felt a bit stereotypical and the writing was a bit juvenile. That is the only real downfall to this book.
Recommended for most YA collections.
February 22, 2021
Bullying and toxic masculinity in teen boys result in body/muscle dysmorphia and steroid use in this difficult novel. After a bullying incident and brutal end of year humiliation, David decides he will gain enough muscle mass over the summer before his senior year that nobody will mess with him anymore. He quickly turns to steroids to make faster gains and his life begins to unravel. The novel centers around his workouts, gains, and, most importantly, his mental state. David's decisions and actions, all dictated by his steroid use, affect his relationships, his living situation and his life changes in ways he did not anticipate. The end is unsatisfying - it doesn't show David's growth, so much as tell a quick and tidy ending - but the Author's Note puts it into context, psychologically comparing muscle dysmorphia to anorexia, and provides a few resources. The topics of steroid use and muscle dysmorphia are rare in YA literature, and may be eye opening for readers.
March 8, 2023
A 17 year old boy goes viral for for the wrong reasons and decides to spend the summer before his senior year working out and getting as big as possible. With that, he changes his personality as well, and that leads to consequences larger than he can imagine.
This book is an honest reflection about what it means to grow up in a time riddled with insecurities, grief, body dysmorphia, and what it means to ‘be a man.’
This book is an honest reflection about what it means to grow up in a time riddled with insecurities, grief, body dysmorphia, and what it means to ‘be a man.’
May 20, 2020
A rate look at a teen guy's struggle with muscle dysmorphia. After a video of David getting slapped by a bully goes viral on YouTube, David becomes obsessed with working out and gaining muscle. It affects his relationships with his family, friends, and girlfriend. David thinks and speaks like a real teen bro, which saves this from feeling like a preachy 80s After School special. The author experienced similar stuff as a teen, so it feels authentic. Worth its weight in teen novels. (Sorry I had to make one terrible pun!)
October 9, 2023
This book was so engaging and had such a great message, especially for young boys/men. I never thought I would be interested in the world of body building, but the author did such a great job with research and building great characters with a solid plot. I would absolutely recommend this to students with a warning about language and some very teenage boy like sexual conversations.
February 26, 2020
Everyone read this book! Boys/Men struggle with body image problems too and it's important to acknowledge them! And this book is a good way to start and to become aware of this problem.
August 19, 2020
This was so good and so so important.
February 18, 2020
While not the most subtle book ever written, The New David Espinoza confronts the realities of male body dysmorphia/steroid use and does so in an affecting way. The complex relationship between David and his well-meaning but misguided mentor Alpha is especially moving.
Read
December 10, 2021I thought it was a very good book and would read it again if I had to.
October 22, 2022
An important story that was missing in YA lit but I had a difficult time with the narrative voice.
November 27, 2022
3.5
This is from the YA library at school. It's informative and compelling. David is somehow not very sympathetic even before the steroids, and his epiphany is rushed. Alpha seems much older than his 24 years. It also seems too neat how things fall into place in the end.
Typos on 66, 226, 257
A couple of insights:
166 This constant manly act is why I wouldn't tell anybody, ... about how many hours I used to spend with my mom in the kitchen. It's why I won't take an umbrella to school on a rainy day...
185 I guess you don't realize how trapped you really were until you have freedom.
This is from the YA library at school. It's informative and compelling. David is somehow not very sympathetic even before the steroids, and his epiphany is rushed. Alpha seems much older than his 24 years. It also seems too neat how things fall into place in the end.
Typos on 66, 226, 257
A couple of insights:
166 This constant manly act is why I wouldn't tell anybody, ... about how many hours I used to spend with my mom in the kitchen. It's why I won't take an umbrella to school on a rainy day...
185 I guess you don't realize how trapped you really were until you have freedom.
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