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David Inside Out
David Dahlgren, a high-school senior, finds solace in running with the track team; he's a fast runner, and he enjoys the camaraderie. But team events become a source of tension when he develops a crush on one of his teammates, Sean. Scared to admit his feelings, David does everything he can to suppress them: he dates a girl, keeps his distance from his best friend who has become openly gay, and snaps a rubber band on his wrist every time he has "inappropriate" urges. Before long, Sean expresses the thoughts David has been trying to hide, and everything changes for the better. Or so it seems.
In this thoughtful yet searing coming-of-age novel, Lee Bantle offers a raw, honest, and incredibly compelling account of a teenager who learns to accept himself for who he is.
In this thoughtful yet searing coming-of-age novel, Lee Bantle offers a raw, honest, and incredibly compelling account of a teenager who learns to accept himself for who he is.
184 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2009
24 people are currently reading
2909 people want to read
About the author
Lee Bantle
1 book15 followersI live in Park Slope, Brooklyn in a sunny apartment where I do my writing. I set David Inside Out in Minneapolis, Minnesota where I grew up and went to college.
In addition to being a writer, I am a lawyer who represents employees in race, gender, disability and sexual orientation discrimination lawsuits. My law firm, Bantle & Levy LLP, is located in Greenwich Village.
I got my B.A. degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and my law degree from New York University.
David Inside Out is based in part on my experiences growing up gay in Minnesota before the age of Gay/Straight Alliances, television shows like Will & Grace, and books like the one I have written. My goal in writing this book was to capture the evolving dynamics in play today while giving voice to the complicated feelings that still accompany coming to terms with one's sexual identity. I wrote the book for gay teens who are struggling with their sexual identity, but also for the girls who may date and fall in love with these guys. I also hoped to tell a good coming of age story that would appeal to everyone, no matter what their sexual orientation.
I did lots of research for David Inside Out in addition to drawing on personal experience. Among other things, I read a book of teen essays called One Teenager in Ten, attended a meeting of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Westport High School in Connecticut, and interviewed many gay and lesbian people, both adults and teenagers. In the book One Teenager in Ten, one of the boys wrote about how he read men's magazines (Road and Track, Hunter's World) to try to make himself straight. I thought this was both funny and poignant and used the idea for my main character. This is an example of dramatic irony - the reader knows that the plan is not going to work, but David does not know that.
My prior middle grade novel, Diving for the Moon, was about a 12-year-old hemophiliac boy who become HIV-positive.
In addition to being a writer, I am a lawyer who represents employees in race, gender, disability and sexual orientation discrimination lawsuits. My law firm, Bantle & Levy LLP, is located in Greenwich Village.
I got my B.A. degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota and my law degree from New York University.
David Inside Out is based in part on my experiences growing up gay in Minnesota before the age of Gay/Straight Alliances, television shows like Will & Grace, and books like the one I have written. My goal in writing this book was to capture the evolving dynamics in play today while giving voice to the complicated feelings that still accompany coming to terms with one's sexual identity. I wrote the book for gay teens who are struggling with their sexual identity, but also for the girls who may date and fall in love with these guys. I also hoped to tell a good coming of age story that would appeal to everyone, no matter what their sexual orientation.
I did lots of research for David Inside Out in addition to drawing on personal experience. Among other things, I read a book of teen essays called One Teenager in Ten, attended a meeting of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Westport High School in Connecticut, and interviewed many gay and lesbian people, both adults and teenagers. In the book One Teenager in Ten, one of the boys wrote about how he read men's magazines (Road and Track, Hunter's World) to try to make himself straight. I thought this was both funny and poignant and used the idea for my main character. This is an example of dramatic irony - the reader knows that the plan is not going to work, but David does not know that.
My prior middle grade novel, Diving for the Moon, was about a 12-year-old hemophiliac boy who become HIV-positive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
August 25, 2009
"David Inside Out" is about David Dahlgren, a likeable young man that might just be gay. He is struggling to accept the fact though, in fact, he is doing everything to avoid it. He dates a girl, avoids his gay best friend, and has a rubber band to snap himself with whenever he has innapropriate thoughts. Suddenly, one of his track teammates who he has had a crush on, Sean, starts to show some feelings toward David too. While it seems like a good thing at first, this bond may not be the best thing for David, as he will learn.
This is a really hard book to give a rating to. On one hand, David's character is somewhat complex, although a little stereotypical. On the other hand, most of the other characters seem really stereotypical, and their actions don't really have deep motives behind them. I think the Bantle did good work of getting the theme across in a graceful manner, but could've developed the characters/plot a little more. I think this book deserves more of a 3.5 stars, but I'll just round up (because it's a little depressing to see this book with such a low average rating).
This is a really hard book to give a rating to. On one hand, David's character is somewhat complex, although a little stereotypical. On the other hand, most of the other characters seem really stereotypical, and their actions don't really have deep motives behind them. I think the Bantle did good work of getting the theme across in a graceful manner, but could've developed the characters/plot a little more. I think this book deserves more of a 3.5 stars, but I'll just round up (because it's a little depressing to see this book with such a low average rating).
August 12, 2009
This book is better suited for the 80s or early 90s. It did not have the feeling of a book for teens in 2009. It seemed to address much older concerns that I don't see modern teens dealing with as much and ignored other more pressing issues. The author's bio said that some of the book was autobiographical and I believe that is what caused the problem; he grew up in the 70s. I think if the author had made it a historical novel about the time he was growing up it would have made more sense.
August 4, 2018
David Inside Out has a few frisky moments that remind me of those Japanese watercolors in which a few strokes deliver a scene. But overall, this late/young adult novel is just a charming read. David runs track and struggles with knowing what he already knows. The story charts the meeting of those vectors with realistic characters and true-to-life situations in clear, well-edited prose. David's struggle may not mirror every gay boy's struggle, particularly today, but it certainly mirrored mine, with grace.
At the end of the novel, David and the only other out student at his high school flop side by side onto drifts of snow on their way to a party with friends. "Keep an eye on us," he says quietly to the snow angels, before running to catch up with Eddie and Mona and Kick. The "us" are the future gay boys of America "making tree-forts together", and the prayer is that we find each other.
Amen.
At the end of the novel, David and the only other out student at his high school flop side by side onto drifts of snow on their way to a party with friends. "Keep an eye on us," he says quietly to the snow angels, before running to catch up with Eddie and Mona and Kick. The "us" are the future gay boys of America "making tree-forts together", and the prayer is that we find each other.
Amen.
February 28, 2021
Hardly any new ground broken here but still an interesting and worthwhile coming out story by Lee Bantle. An entertaining read but just a wee too predictable with narrator, high school athlete David moving rapidly from confused teenager with girl friend to being openly gay at book's conclusion: perhaps a bit too quickly to be fully convincing.
I could understand his rejection of childhood buddy and the very "out" Eddie, as closeted boys generally fear being confronted with their own sexuality so brazenly, but in the end it all resolved itself in a nice way. Bit of a pity we didn't have more of Eddie in the book as he was a much more interesting character than David's obsession with fellow athlete, bonehead Sean with his constant boner.
The adult characters are generally stereotypes and apart from David's mom are all "difficult" parents for one reason or another. A plus interest is the Minnesota setting and although not touched on much, David's Norwegian ancestry.
I could understand his rejection of childhood buddy and the very "out" Eddie, as closeted boys generally fear being confronted with their own sexuality so brazenly, but in the end it all resolved itself in a nice way. Bit of a pity we didn't have more of Eddie in the book as he was a much more interesting character than David's obsession with fellow athlete, bonehead Sean with his constant boner.
The adult characters are generally stereotypes and apart from David's mom are all "difficult" parents for one reason or another. A plus interest is the Minnesota setting and although not touched on much, David's Norwegian ancestry.
January 11, 2019
Rep: gay mc
I feel like I’ve read a lot of books where the MC or another character tries to deny that they’re gay (see: Absolutely Positively Not, Openly Straight, Way To Go…) and it’s kind of tiring, this sort of thing. I don’t want to read about people snapping rubber bands on their wrist every time they get some “gay thought”. Surely we’re past that.
Apparently not. And neither are we past having the homophobic characters be the cool kids. Oh, and whaddya know one of them is in the closet. Look, there’s nothing particularly wrong with the storyline in itself, but it’s just done too many times, and while this was a quick and ok read, that you could clearly see where the storyline was going was frustrating.
Apart from that, the writing was good and so were the characters. Probably mostly cliches (the openly gay kid who gives fashion advice, the homophobic sports star, the girlfriend who thinks that – that was an ugly part of the story, especially because that’s all Kick really seemed to be there for), but given that the story itself was basically a cliche that was to be expected.
The final issue I had was that, apart from the mothers, there was one female character (Kick) who was reduced to being David’s girlfriend (beard, I think) and who basically just wanted to have sex with him. Like, fine, if you want to write a female character who wants to have sex, that’s cool. It’s not cool that that’s basically a summary of her character. That’s all there was, pretty much. (And, of course, the aforementioned part where she gets David to have sex with her because maybe it’ll work. Give me a break.)
In writing this, I think I’m going to reconsider my original rating of 3 stars and go down to 2. I’m sorry, Lee Bantle, but I’ve read much better “coming of age”/”coming out” stories than this.
I feel like I’ve read a lot of books where the MC or another character tries to deny that they’re gay (see: Absolutely Positively Not, Openly Straight, Way To Go…) and it’s kind of tiring, this sort of thing. I don’t want to read about people snapping rubber bands on their wrist every time they get some “gay thought”. Surely we’re past that.
Apparently not. And neither are we past having the homophobic characters be the cool kids. Oh, and whaddya know one of them is in the closet. Look, there’s nothing particularly wrong with the storyline in itself, but it’s just done too many times, and while this was a quick and ok read, that you could clearly see where the storyline was going was frustrating.
Apart from that, the writing was good and so were the characters. Probably mostly cliches (the openly gay kid who gives fashion advice, the homophobic sports star, the girlfriend who thinks that – that was an ugly part of the story, especially because that’s all Kick really seemed to be there for), but given that the story itself was basically a cliche that was to be expected.
The final issue I had was that, apart from the mothers, there was one female character (Kick) who was reduced to being David’s girlfriend (beard, I think) and who basically just wanted to have sex with him. Like, fine, if you want to write a female character who wants to have sex, that’s cool. It’s not cool that that’s basically a summary of her character. That’s all there was, pretty much. (And, of course, the aforementioned part where she gets David to have sex with her because maybe it’ll work. Give me a break.)
In writing this, I think I’m going to reconsider my original rating of 3 stars and go down to 2. I’m sorry, Lee Bantle, but I’ve read much better “coming of age”/”coming out” stories than this.
August 3, 2012
Here's a rant about how we all judge books by their covers:
I was given an uncorrected proof of "David Inside Out" at some nerdy English teacher conference and it sat on my shelf for a few years. The cover is AWFUL! I am always looking for recommendations I can make to my teen students struggling with coming out. No potentially gay kid would carry this book around. Look at that dumb cover. Hell, Bantle even discusses the stigma of being seen with the movie "My Beautiful Launderette," or gay books or posters, so why would the publisher make this the cover? If Bantle's goal was to provide a book for kids coming out he did it, but his publisher did a shitty job of making sure that will get to the kids.
Okay, that being said. the book isn't brilliant, but it's a quick read with realistic characters and situations. There are a few sex scenes, so I probably won't recommend it to my students, but if any go them found it, I think it would be helpful. Bantle nicely avoids stereotypes. Having most recently read "Will Grayson/Will Grayson" in this genre of LGBTQ teen lit, I thought this was a much much more comforting portrayal of the struggle many teens have with coming out. That being said, I worry about the kids who identify with Sean in this book. I wish more could be resolved with him, but hopefully any kids who see themselves in Sean can still see a positive path.
I was given an uncorrected proof of "David Inside Out" at some nerdy English teacher conference and it sat on my shelf for a few years. The cover is AWFUL! I am always looking for recommendations I can make to my teen students struggling with coming out. No potentially gay kid would carry this book around. Look at that dumb cover. Hell, Bantle even discusses the stigma of being seen with the movie "My Beautiful Launderette," or gay books or posters, so why would the publisher make this the cover? If Bantle's goal was to provide a book for kids coming out he did it, but his publisher did a shitty job of making sure that will get to the kids.
Okay, that being said. the book isn't brilliant, but it's a quick read with realistic characters and situations. There are a few sex scenes, so I probably won't recommend it to my students, but if any go them found it, I think it would be helpful. Bantle nicely avoids stereotypes. Having most recently read "Will Grayson/Will Grayson" in this genre of LGBTQ teen lit, I thought this was a much much more comforting portrayal of the struggle many teens have with coming out. That being said, I worry about the kids who identify with Sean in this book. I wish more could be resolved with him, but hopefully any kids who see themselves in Sean can still see a positive path.
November 15, 2009
I was asked to review this book for a group of YA librarians. In spite of the pretty graphic sex, much of it VERY exploitive, I basically liked the book. I gave it a "recommend", but I do have some concerns about appropriateness in a high school library -- public library's YA collection, no problem.
Now after reading many reviews (on this website & others), I'm may be having second thoughts. It's definitely not Geography Club or Rainbow Boys, but there are some excellent points made without being too "preachy". Yes, the characters are all using each other (with the possible exception of Kick, the girl David has sex with). Yes, it's a bit dated since most high schools have a gay/straight alliance and GLBTQ teens are more accepted now than ever before. But, there are definitely still slurs thrown around a high school, there are lots of cases of teens using sex in an exploitive way (both gay and straight), and GLBTQ teens still struggle with coming out to their families and friends. I think this is an important addition to that genre.
Now after reading many reviews (on this website & others), I'm may be having second thoughts. It's definitely not Geography Club or Rainbow Boys, but there are some excellent points made without being too "preachy". Yes, the characters are all using each other (with the possible exception of Kick, the girl David has sex with). Yes, it's a bit dated since most high schools have a gay/straight alliance and GLBTQ teens are more accepted now than ever before. But, there are definitely still slurs thrown around a high school, there are lots of cases of teens using sex in an exploitive way (both gay and straight), and GLBTQ teens still struggle with coming out to their families and friends. I think this is an important addition to that genre.
December 5, 2018
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great book by Lee Bantle. It's easy to read and I love the way coming of age is a thing in this book, and also finding yourself. It's pretty hard topics for some people, but I really like how easily you can read about them in this book.
A longer review can be found at Bite Into Books
I think that this is a book that could be very relatable for people in the LGBT community. I just like the fact that certain subjects and emotions are described the way they are, and are not over exaggerated. I liked to have a little look in David's head and it was nice to read how he's finding himself. He's really growing up in this book and it was satisfying to be a part of it.
This is a great book by Lee Bantle. It's easy to read and I love the way coming of age is a thing in this book, and also finding yourself. It's pretty hard topics for some people, but I really like how easily you can read about them in this book.
A longer review can be found at Bite Into Books
I think that this is a book that could be very relatable for people in the LGBT community. I just like the fact that certain subjects and emotions are described the way they are, and are not over exaggerated. I liked to have a little look in David's head and it was nice to read how he's finding himself. He's really growing up in this book and it was satisfying to be a part of it.
May 15, 2023
What a gem of a book! This is a quiet LGBT novel - it was written in 2009 and lacks the high stakes of most YA stories today - but it surprised me with its forthrightness. David is a high school senior on the boys track team who develops romantic feelings for another teammate. He doesn't want to be gay so he makes a plan to lose his virginity to his girl BFF.
January 29, 2011
David Dahlgren is a high-school senior, a member of of track team, who has a gay friend (Eddie), a supposed to be girlfriend (Kick), and a huge crush to one of his team members (Sean). David is pretty sure he is gay but he is NOT sure whether he wants other people in his school know about it ...
This is a wonderful coming-of-age novel; a look of what a gay teenager might think and feel on his 16th year of life. Knowing that he has a huge crush on a "boy" but facing that his friends are not nice to gay boys. I really enjoy the conflict that David feels throughout the book; the confusion, the turmoil, and finally the acceptance. My favorite scenes will probably when David talks to "gay hotline". How wonderful for those people to reach out and help the gay teenagers to be proud of themselves ...
Sean is not a sympathetic character for David to be with. I think he will grows up as one of those "deep in the closet" lonely guy. I'm glad that David is able to see that and take his stands. This book does not have an HEA but it's a hopeful end, that David will be able to live his life as he truly is ...
This is a wonderful coming-of-age novel; a look of what a gay teenager might think and feel on his 16th year of life. Knowing that he has a huge crush on a "boy" but facing that his friends are not nice to gay boys. I really enjoy the conflict that David feels throughout the book; the confusion, the turmoil, and finally the acceptance. My favorite scenes will probably when David talks to "gay hotline". How wonderful for those people to reach out and help the gay teenagers to be proud of themselves ...
Sean is not a sympathetic character for David to be with. I think he will grows up as one of those "deep in the closet" lonely guy. I'm glad that David is able to see that and take his stands. This book does not have an HEA but it's a hopeful end, that David will be able to live his life as he truly is ...
June 11, 2009
I tried to read this but found the masturbation scenes, incessant teen drinking, and vapid sexual encounters between the two gay runners too much. I thought this book was not really suitable for teens as it didn't really focus on coming to terms with ones sexuality as much as it just showcased raunchy teen behavior....whether gay or straight...this was not well written in my opinion.
November 11, 2014
I read this book right after Alex Sanchez's The God Box, and I found myself comparing this one to The God Box time and again. And since I loved the God Box, this book fell short in comparison to it.
Also, I felt like everything in this book moved a little too fast.
Full review to come (when I finally get around to it)
Also, I felt like everything in this book moved a little too fast.
Full review to come (when I finally get around to it)
April 22, 2019
C'était plutôt pas mal.
C'est un petit livre de 184 pages qui se lit vite. J'aurais sans doute aimé qu'on approfondisse certaines choses.
Peut-être que plus de pages m'aurait permis de m'attacher davantage aux personnages.
L'histoire n'est pas très originale mais on prend du plaisir à suivre David dans sa quête d'identité. Même si j'avoue que certains choses m'ont déplu, notamment dans la manière dont certains personnages se traitent les uns les autres.
C'est un petit livre de 184 pages qui se lit vite. J'aurais sans doute aimé qu'on approfondisse certaines choses.
Peut-être que plus de pages m'aurait permis de m'attacher davantage aux personnages.
L'histoire n'est pas très originale mais on prend du plaisir à suivre David dans sa quête d'identité. Même si j'avoue que certains choses m'ont déplu, notamment dans la manière dont certains personnages se traitent les uns les autres.
September 11, 2010
David is pretty sure he’s gay. At least he knows that much about himself. He thinks about guys in sexual ways and he can’t help but perve on his team mates in the showers after practice. But David doesn’t think he should be thinking these things, so he snaps a rubber band around his wrist to snap at every time he has an ‘inappropriate’ thought about a guy.
But then Sean, the guys he’s been crushing on, sort of outs himself to David. Although its clear that Sean has no intention of outing himself to anyone else, David does pretty much anything Sean wants him to – even when its clear that Sean is not going to reciprocate.
Then David gets brave and tells Kick – the girl he’s kind of been seeing. She doesn’t flip out, like he thought he would, but she doesn’t keep the information to herself, like she said she would. Then Sean’s parents ban him from seeing David, and everything goes a little haywire.
Eventually, David grows a pair and takes a stand against Sean’s manipulative, selfish behaviour. He fixes things with Kick, and his other friends, too. While the ending is kind of nice, I wouldn’t go so far to say that this is a feel good novel. Sean – whom I absolutely loathe, by the way – doesn’t really grow at all and appears to learn no lessons whatsoever. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. I’m not of the opinion that the characters need to grow morally in a story to make it good. I’m just saying that Sean was the same frustrating ass at both the beginning and the end of the novel.
By the end, I was convinced that Sean’s simply one of those people that’s going to live a long, lonely and frustrating life. Being gay is something that he’ll never be comfortable with and he’ll continue to manipulate people like David forever. Something deep inside me says I should feel sorry for him, but I disliked him so much that I just couldn’t bring myself to do so.
David, however, is a much more likable character. Although he’s a bit of a pushover for most of the novel, and his naivety and inability to see his relationship with Sean for what it is, is kind of annoying, he grew a pair just at the right place in the story and he restored all my faith in him once more. Like with so many other novels I’ve read lately, I thanked my lucky stars that the novel was narrated through David’s point of view, and not Sean’s. Had it been the other way around, I may not have been able to finish.
I just have one question, for anyone that might have read this novel. Why oh why did David sleep with Kick? I mean, it fits the story I suppose, but I just don’t understand. He didn’t want to. He didn’t even have to. She knew he was gay. WHYYYYYYYY? I was angry with David for following through on this… I’d be keen to hear your thoughts on this scene.
The story flows well, and it’s pretty easy to read. I reckon lots of you out there might like this one.
But then Sean, the guys he’s been crushing on, sort of outs himself to David. Although its clear that Sean has no intention of outing himself to anyone else, David does pretty much anything Sean wants him to – even when its clear that Sean is not going to reciprocate.
Then David gets brave and tells Kick – the girl he’s kind of been seeing. She doesn’t flip out, like he thought he would, but she doesn’t keep the information to herself, like she said she would. Then Sean’s parents ban him from seeing David, and everything goes a little haywire.
Eventually, David grows a pair and takes a stand against Sean’s manipulative, selfish behaviour. He fixes things with Kick, and his other friends, too. While the ending is kind of nice, I wouldn’t go so far to say that this is a feel good novel. Sean – whom I absolutely loathe, by the way – doesn’t really grow at all and appears to learn no lessons whatsoever. Not that that’s necessarily a bad thing. I’m not of the opinion that the characters need to grow morally in a story to make it good. I’m just saying that Sean was the same frustrating ass at both the beginning and the end of the novel.
By the end, I was convinced that Sean’s simply one of those people that’s going to live a long, lonely and frustrating life. Being gay is something that he’ll never be comfortable with and he’ll continue to manipulate people like David forever. Something deep inside me says I should feel sorry for him, but I disliked him so much that I just couldn’t bring myself to do so.
David, however, is a much more likable character. Although he’s a bit of a pushover for most of the novel, and his naivety and inability to see his relationship with Sean for what it is, is kind of annoying, he grew a pair just at the right place in the story and he restored all my faith in him once more. Like with so many other novels I’ve read lately, I thanked my lucky stars that the novel was narrated through David’s point of view, and not Sean’s. Had it been the other way around, I may not have been able to finish.
I just have one question, for anyone that might have read this novel. Why oh why did David sleep with Kick? I mean, it fits the story I suppose, but I just don’t understand. He didn’t want to. He didn’t even have to. She knew he was gay. WHYYYYYYYY? I was angry with David for following through on this… I’d be keen to hear your thoughts on this scene.
The story flows well, and it’s pretty easy to read. I reckon lots of you out there might like this one.
never-finished-reading
June 14, 2013I want to start out by saying that I'm not finished with this book. I'm not even half way though. I've made it as far as page 35. I'm going against my rule of reviewing before I finish. But, I wanted to get this down while I was thinking about it.
I've been on a kick lately with books like this. "David Inside Out" is probably about the tenth one I've read in under a month. And quite frankly, so far there is nothing that sets it apart from all the others I've read. I understand I'm reading a genre, but this genre seems to have a formula:
-Introduce teenage boy who may or may not be aware he's gay
-Said boy is confused about this or perhaps doesn't want to be gay
-Wears a rubber band to snap against his wrist to make him try to forget being gay
-He may or may not have a girlfriend (in most cases does)
-Enter a male love interest, could be someone unobtainable or someone who's also gay and wants him
-Boy has to wrestle with his feelings
-Someone else (love interest or friend) is gay and helps him figure it all out
-Ends up okay with self at the end and may or may not have a boyfriend (in most cases does)
Since I'm only on page 35, I'm not sure if this is the case with David in full. But I have yet to see anything that differentiates it from the others. In fact, despite being aware of the genre and the formula, I'm not even invested in David. By page 35, I don't even really have a sense of who he is, I don't even really care too much about him. You might say I haven't given the book a chance (and I promise, I'll continue reading) but by page 35 of 184 page book (that's 19% of the way through) I should at least understand him and have empathy for him. Yet, he's no different than the others I've read. He has almost no personality.
His best friend tells him that he's gay and David doesn't even give a response. He just sort of shrugs. What's he thinking? Is he trying to repress his own feelings? If I had a sense of who he was, I would know the answers to these even if they weren't directly given.
The thing in this genre is that there are some really good stories, but I'm finding the writing lacking across the board. In the case of "David Inside Out," it's the characterization and lack of details. I get it's a minimalistic style, but if an author is going to attempt that then a general feeling of sense should at least exist so the reader can correctly infer from the limited writing.
Anyway, sorry for the early rant. I'll come back when I get further along (like finishing it)
I've been on a kick lately with books like this. "David Inside Out" is probably about the tenth one I've read in under a month. And quite frankly, so far there is nothing that sets it apart from all the others I've read. I understand I'm reading a genre, but this genre seems to have a formula:
-Introduce teenage boy who may or may not be aware he's gay
-Said boy is confused about this or perhaps doesn't want to be gay
-Wears a rubber band to snap against his wrist to make him try to forget being gay
-He may or may not have a girlfriend (in most cases does)
-Enter a male love interest, could be someone unobtainable or someone who's also gay and wants him
-Boy has to wrestle with his feelings
-Someone else (love interest or friend) is gay and helps him figure it all out
-Ends up okay with self at the end and may or may not have a boyfriend (in most cases does)
Since I'm only on page 35, I'm not sure if this is the case with David in full. But I have yet to see anything that differentiates it from the others. In fact, despite being aware of the genre and the formula, I'm not even invested in David. By page 35, I don't even really have a sense of who he is, I don't even really care too much about him. You might say I haven't given the book a chance (and I promise, I'll continue reading) but by page 35 of 184 page book (that's 19% of the way through) I should at least understand him and have empathy for him. Yet, he's no different than the others I've read. He has almost no personality.
His best friend tells him that he's gay and David doesn't even give a response. He just sort of shrugs. What's he thinking? Is he trying to repress his own feelings? If I had a sense of who he was, I would know the answers to these even if they weren't directly given.
The thing in this genre is that there are some really good stories, but I'm finding the writing lacking across the board. In the case of "David Inside Out," it's the characterization and lack of details. I get it's a minimalistic style, but if an author is going to attempt that then a general feeling of sense should at least exist so the reader can correctly infer from the limited writing.
Anyway, sorry for the early rant. I'll come back when I get further along (like finishing it)
September 3, 2018
”My mom can be confusing without even trying. If I tell her I have to do something because everyone is doing it, she tells me, just be yourself. She says people respect that. But what if you send fanmail to romance writers? And get teary-eyed at chick flicks? What if you still get spooked during thunderstorms? These are not things you want to share with others. Being yourself might make people reject you. People you desperately care about. Being yourself only works if you’re basically cool. Which I’m not.
There’s another problem with mom’s advice. How can you be yourself if you don’t know who that is?”
This was a good book. Nothing amazing, nothing terrible, just a solid read about a consistent and easy to root for character. As much as I adore the continuing theme of diversity in Young Adult literature, for the most part, this was a stereotypical “coming out and coming of age” story.
However. There was one part about this book that I need to preach about and praise it for. In this book, (I’ll leave out names to prevent serious spoilers, but there is one about the fate of the romance) there was a closeted love interest our main boy David fell for. There is nothing wrong with being closeted but this character was using his closeted status to manipulate and use the people around him. Add in that he was privileged, handsome, and athletic, and David was smitten.
But get this: instead of staying head over heels and putting up with the manipulation and emotional abuse, David leaves him and stays single. He realizes the relationship is toxic, that he deserves better, and he doesn’t need to be saved by anyone; he can save himself.
While as I stated earlier, this book is not overly impressive or unique in other ways (I did enjoy the writing’s simple but poetic style), that aspect of this book alone was well worth the read. The message that you shouldn’t stay with someone who treats you like you’re less than you are, even if you have feelings about them and there are no other choices for romantic relationships, is invaluable in this genre filled with stories that romanticize and glorify toxic relationships.
A+, Lee Bantle, A+.
There’s another problem with mom’s advice. How can you be yourself if you don’t know who that is?”
This was a good book. Nothing amazing, nothing terrible, just a solid read about a consistent and easy to root for character. As much as I adore the continuing theme of diversity in Young Adult literature, for the most part, this was a stereotypical “coming out and coming of age” story.
However. There was one part about this book that I need to preach about and praise it for. In this book, (I’ll leave out names to prevent serious spoilers, but there is one about the fate of the romance) there was a closeted love interest our main boy David fell for. There is nothing wrong with being closeted but this character was using his closeted status to manipulate and use the people around him. Add in that he was privileged, handsome, and athletic, and David was smitten.
But get this: instead of staying head over heels and putting up with the manipulation and emotional abuse, David leaves him and stays single. He realizes the relationship is toxic, that he deserves better, and he doesn’t need to be saved by anyone; he can save himself.
While as I stated earlier, this book is not overly impressive or unique in other ways (I did enjoy the writing’s simple but poetic style), that aspect of this book alone was well worth the read. The message that you shouldn’t stay with someone who treats you like you’re less than you are, even if you have feelings about them and there are no other choices for romantic relationships, is invaluable in this genre filled with stories that romanticize and glorify toxic relationships.
A+, Lee Bantle, A+.
September 7, 2009
David is a high school junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He's a runner for the high school track team. He goes to a private, parochial school on scholarship. David's best friend since elementary school is a boy named Eddie. Eddie is openly gay and trying to start a gay/straight alliance group in the school. This embarrasses David, even though he secretly harbors a crush on his track teammate Sean.
David's guilt over his growing attraction to Sean leads him to take drastic measures. He distances himself from his best friend Eddie, and he crudely attempts to use aversive therapy on himself, snapping himself painfully with a rubber band every time he has an inappropriate homosexual thought. He also attempts to advance physically with his girlfriend Kick (Katherine).
When Sean propositions David and the two become intimate with one another, it sets David's world on end. Not only does he become all the more obsessed with Sean, but he begins to question his own identity. He seeks help from a gay teen telephone hotline.
Ultimately David must choose whether to remain closeted while living a lie or to be honest with himself, his family, and his friends.
David Inside Out is a classic coming-out, coming-of-age story. It is a quick read, but very captivating. Written with emotion and humor, it is both believable and meaningful. It's poignant message drills into the heart of the reader, leaving them yearning for more.
Not only is the book a great addition to any young adult library, but it is an enjoyable and entertaining story for more mature readers as well. It's a heartwarming, unpretentious, and touching story about self discovery and acceptance. I highly recommend it.
David's guilt over his growing attraction to Sean leads him to take drastic measures. He distances himself from his best friend Eddie, and he crudely attempts to use aversive therapy on himself, snapping himself painfully with a rubber band every time he has an inappropriate homosexual thought. He also attempts to advance physically with his girlfriend Kick (Katherine).
When Sean propositions David and the two become intimate with one another, it sets David's world on end. Not only does he become all the more obsessed with Sean, but he begins to question his own identity. He seeks help from a gay teen telephone hotline.
Ultimately David must choose whether to remain closeted while living a lie or to be honest with himself, his family, and his friends.
David Inside Out is a classic coming-out, coming-of-age story. It is a quick read, but very captivating. Written with emotion and humor, it is both believable and meaningful. It's poignant message drills into the heart of the reader, leaving them yearning for more.
Not only is the book a great addition to any young adult library, but it is an enjoyable and entertaining story for more mature readers as well. It's a heartwarming, unpretentious, and touching story about self discovery and acceptance. I highly recommend it.
October 2, 2015
About a boy questioning his sexuality and how he tried to hide his feeling for other boy.
This was an interesting diversity read for me but the pace of this book was quite fast and short. I wished that this book delved much further into the supporting characters background such as Eddie.
Debating myself whether it should be 3 or 4 stars.
Nonetheless, it was a good read.
This was an interesting diversity read for me but the pace of this book was quite fast and short. I wished that this book delved much further into the supporting characters background such as Eddie.
Debating myself whether it should be 3 or 4 stars.
Nonetheless, it was a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2011
A quick read and a good coming of age / coming out story. the dialog and the interactions were all believable, although... it is hard for me to imagine these 16 year olds choosing Jazz and oldies as their musical go-to so much... all in all it was good.
February 6, 2023
Actual rating: 2.5/5
There are spoilers in this!! Not like there’s much to spoil because nothing happened, but just in case
This book was literally so bad I don’t know where to start.
Okay, first of all: this author does not know how to write sentences with more than 5 words. He also doesn’t know how to make dialogue interesting.
Second of all: this book went absolutely nowhere? There was no real ending, no nice conclusion. Y’know at the end of books where they say smthn inspirational? Yeah well not this one. There wasn’t even a build up to a good ending, or any ending for that matter.
Third of all: all of the scenes that had anything sexual happen were horrible and just so weird to read and it made me so uncomfortable. Either this author has never had sex before or he reads too many fan fiction because the way he described sexual things was so bad-
Fourth of all: the author would just say random crap all the time. Like, for instance, the main character had gone to the Amazon bookstore (which he kept calling the gay bookstore??) to look for a book and he was saying how no one really paid attention to the bookstore and then he said, “All the Swedes and Norwegians. They minded their business.” Like??? Idk what that had to do with anything. And then in another scene his girlfriend, Kick, grabbed his butt and he said “Yikes!” in his internal monologue (??) and it cracked me up because why is that the way he reacted 💀
You can definitely tell this book was written in 2009 and by a man because the author kept making characters use the f slur, the way the mc thought about women was kinda weird, etc. Also basically all of the characters were being homophobic. I guess some of it was internalized homophobia, especially with the main character David because he didn’t want to admit he’s into guys. But at the same time… did EVERYONE have to be gross & mean like that?
There are spoilers in this!! Not like there’s much to spoil because nothing happened, but just in case
This book was literally so bad I don’t know where to start.
Okay, first of all: this author does not know how to write sentences with more than 5 words. He also doesn’t know how to make dialogue interesting.
Second of all: this book went absolutely nowhere? There was no real ending, no nice conclusion. Y’know at the end of books where they say smthn inspirational? Yeah well not this one. There wasn’t even a build up to a good ending, or any ending for that matter.
Third of all: all of the scenes that had anything sexual happen were horrible and just so weird to read and it made me so uncomfortable. Either this author has never had sex before or he reads too many fan fiction because the way he described sexual things was so bad-
Fourth of all: the author would just say random crap all the time. Like, for instance, the main character had gone to the Amazon bookstore (which he kept calling the gay bookstore??) to look for a book and he was saying how no one really paid attention to the bookstore and then he said, “All the Swedes and Norwegians. They minded their business.” Like??? Idk what that had to do with anything. And then in another scene his girlfriend, Kick, grabbed his butt and he said “Yikes!” in his internal monologue (??) and it cracked me up because why is that the way he reacted 💀
You can definitely tell this book was written in 2009 and by a man because the author kept making characters use the f slur, the way the mc thought about women was kinda weird, etc. Also basically all of the characters were being homophobic. I guess some of it was internalized homophobia, especially with the main character David because he didn’t want to admit he’s into guys. But at the same time… did EVERYONE have to be gross & mean like that?
Read
September 19, 2022Reading this book made for a small—but meaningful—full circle moment for me. I first found this book in a Barnes and Noble when I was eleven or twelve. A skim of the back cover blurb revealed that it was a gay young adult novel (a “coming of gay” story, as it were). David is a regular high schooler who suddenly begins developing feelings for another boy on his cross country team. He does his best to suppress his newfound homosexuality, but can’t resist a secret romance when his feelings for his teammate are reciprocated. This was the first time I’d encountered a book with gay themes or a gay protagonist. I had only recently realized the rainbow truth about myself. Even though I was interested in a story about people like me, I put the book back on the shelf and stayed away. Gayness was a sin, and a shameful one at that.
Flash forward a decade and change, and this book was not on my mind. But I ran into it again through a used bookstore and, much like Celine Dion once said, it all came back to me. But a whole different me rediscovered the book this time. A confidently gay adult who teaches college English and writes books had replaced the awkward and secretive middle schooler. Remembering the small role this book played in my closet experience, I bought it gave it a read.
It’s a good thing I waited. David Inside Out is a young adult read, but definitely on the more mature side of things, with (frank but not detailed) gay sex scenes and discussions about gay sex eleven year old me was not ready for. I have no idea if it would have helped or hurt my acceptance process. Either way, it’s satisfying and fulfilling to casually read a book that once scared me as much as it interested me. I wish that version of me could see me now and know that it’s okay.🏳️🌈
Flash forward a decade and change, and this book was not on my mind. But I ran into it again through a used bookstore and, much like Celine Dion once said, it all came back to me. But a whole different me rediscovered the book this time. A confidently gay adult who teaches college English and writes books had replaced the awkward and secretive middle schooler. Remembering the small role this book played in my closet experience, I bought it gave it a read.
It’s a good thing I waited. David Inside Out is a young adult read, but definitely on the more mature side of things, with (frank but not detailed) gay sex scenes and discussions about gay sex eleven year old me was not ready for. I have no idea if it would have helped or hurt my acceptance process. Either way, it’s satisfying and fulfilling to casually read a book that once scared me as much as it interested me. I wish that version of me could see me now and know that it’s okay.🏳️🌈
July 27, 2017
David Inside Out is about a young man, who, while in the process of discovering his sexual identity, is faced with the anxiety-ridden social complexities of high school. He is forced to balance values like loyalty and self-expression, with the oppressive demand of fitting in. Unable to come to terms with the fact that he is gay, David (the protagonist) attempts to suppress his emotions, leading on a caring girl, and pushing away a childhood friend. However, by gaining an understanding of the crippling emotional effects of denial and secrecy, which he sees in a sexual partner (Sean) as well as himself, he realizes that there are things more important than mere social acceptance.
Personally, I felt that this book gave a clear glimpse into the life of a gay male growing up in high school. While at first I questioned if I would be able to relate to the David, the development of his character and the overarching theme of acceptance really allowed me to empathize with him. Overall, I would say that this is a great book for all young adults who are struggling to find themselves no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Personally, I felt that this book gave a clear glimpse into the life of a gay male growing up in high school. While at first I questioned if I would be able to relate to the David, the development of his character and the overarching theme of acceptance really allowed me to empathize with him. Overall, I would say that this is a great book for all young adults who are struggling to find themselves no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.
June 4, 2021
I was surprised I was able to finish this book, knowing that I was starting to hate it before Chapter Thirty.
Where can I begin? I absolutely hated most of the characters in this book. The characters reminded me of actual people who I was friends with in high school. But after high school, we weren't friends anymore because I was fed up with their high school shenanigans. I was waiting for them to change and they never did.... This is how I felt with most of the characters in the book, especially with Kick. Kick was an awful friend from the beginning. She would force herself on David, the main character, thinking she can have something with him. It didn't end up that way. And when she heard that David was gay and didn't like the sex, she selfishly played the victim card. All I can say for this, quoting Bobby Singer from Supernatural: Well, boohoo, I'm so sorry your feelings are hurt, princess!
As for Sean, no pity whatsoever with this character. He was a selfish, disrespectful, rapey S.O.B.
After this review, I edited my rating down to 2 stars.
Where can I begin? I absolutely hated most of the characters in this book. The characters reminded me of actual people who I was friends with in high school. But after high school, we weren't friends anymore because I was fed up with their high school shenanigans. I was waiting for them to change and they never did.... This is how I felt with most of the characters in the book, especially with Kick. Kick was an awful friend from the beginning. She would force herself on David, the main character, thinking she can have something with him. It didn't end up that way. And when she heard that David was gay and didn't like the sex, she selfishly played the victim card. All I can say for this, quoting Bobby Singer from Supernatural: Well, boohoo, I'm so sorry your feelings are hurt, princess!
As for Sean, no pity whatsoever with this character. He was a selfish, disrespectful, rapey S.O.B.
After this review, I edited my rating down to 2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2023
2/5
while reading this book in the span of one day, i expected a simple resolution. maybe something interesting to make up for the bad writing, but i instead read the most anticlimactic ending to a story i’ve ever read. not only does the book lack depth in both writing and characters (because of the boringly simplistic dialogue), it feels as if the characters aren’t characters. it’s hard to connect with them and leaves the reading experience rather dry as well as the overall message of the story.
i mean, the last interaction between david and sean doesn’t resolve any frustration sean deals with. the story just leaves off like that. with suggested tension between david and kick at the door and an even stupider “cliffhanger” between what will happen with the team and david.
(i don’t mean to be rude)
the book had a good premise, but honestly, “aristotle and dante” did it way better. i was a little disappointed!
while reading this book in the span of one day, i expected a simple resolution. maybe something interesting to make up for the bad writing, but i instead read the most anticlimactic ending to a story i’ve ever read. not only does the book lack depth in both writing and characters (because of the boringly simplistic dialogue), it feels as if the characters aren’t characters. it’s hard to connect with them and leaves the reading experience rather dry as well as the overall message of the story.
i mean, the last interaction between david and sean doesn’t resolve any frustration sean deals with. the story just leaves off like that. with suggested tension between david and kick at the door and an even stupider “cliffhanger” between what will happen with the team and david.
(i don’t mean to be rude)
the book had a good premise, but honestly, “aristotle and dante” did it way better. i was a little disappointed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
At this point, I think I've read enough coming-out stories to know when they are good and when they are bad.
This one was good. David, the main character, has the usual progression of refusal, self-hate, and then acceptance when it comes to his sexuality. His love interest for the majority of the book, Sean, is the grade A version of what happens when someone just doesn't care about others and are really self-obsessed, and was a nice comparison to have with the main character.
One weird thing about this book is the pacing. It centers around David's sexual orientation and the journey within, and nothing else. There was a distinct lack of family development or any other character arc, and while some may find this odd or lack on behalf of the book, I got used to it pretty quickly.
Overall, a great book. would recommend.
This one was good. David, the main character, has the usual progression of refusal, self-hate, and then acceptance when it comes to his sexuality. His love interest for the majority of the book, Sean, is the grade A version of what happens when someone just doesn't care about others and are really self-obsessed, and was a nice comparison to have with the main character.
One weird thing about this book is the pacing. It centers around David's sexual orientation and the journey within, and nothing else. There was a distinct lack of family development or any other character arc, and while some may find this odd or lack on behalf of the book, I got used to it pretty quickly.
Overall, a great book. would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2025
3.5 rounded up.
I initially was going to give this a 3, but then I found out that much of this story was based on the author's own experiences coming to terms with his sexualoty in high school. That shouldn't have changed anything, but it did.
Some of the prose seem rushed, but the book was originally published in 2009 and I feel it wrong to critique a book based on the standards of today's books.
The information given goes between "irrelevant " scenes that inform the reader on how the narrator experiences his day to day and more important information.
I like that David and Sean didn't end up together. Not every romantic experience is good for us or lasts. Especially not the first ones (usually). I also like the bookend effect of the story opening and closing with David hanging out with his friends. It further shows David accepting himself at the end.
I initially was going to give this a 3, but then I found out that much of this story was based on the author's own experiences coming to terms with his sexualoty in high school. That shouldn't have changed anything, but it did.
Some of the prose seem rushed, but the book was originally published in 2009 and I feel it wrong to critique a book based on the standards of today's books.
The information given goes between "irrelevant " scenes that inform the reader on how the narrator experiences his day to day and more important information.
I like that David and Sean didn't end up together. Not every romantic experience is good for us or lasts. Especially not the first ones (usually). I also like the bookend effect of the story opening and closing with David hanging out with his friends. It further shows David accepting himself at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2017
This wasn’t me. It couldn’t be. Not gay. Anything but that.
This is a fast and fairly light read about a boy named David and his dealing with coming out when you would much rather stay in the closet.
I liked it. David is a typical teenage boy, except he is slowly coming to terms he should probably break up with his girlfriend and that Sean from his team is giving him weird signals. It is kinda predictable, the thing between Sean and David although I did hope it might go another way and I really feel sorry for Sean because he is quite messed up. There is also this funny bit about naked Jesus (that's all I'm going to say :D)
This is a fast and fairly light read about a boy named David and his dealing with coming out when you would much rather stay in the closet.
I liked it. David is a typical teenage boy, except he is slowly coming to terms he should probably break up with his girlfriend and that Sean from his team is giving him weird signals. It is kinda predictable, the thing between Sean and David although I did hope it might go another way and I really feel sorry for Sean because he is quite messed up. There is also this funny bit about naked Jesus (that's all I'm going to say :D)
February 4, 2025
this was awful. but did i have a good time? i wouldn't say no. that does NOT make this less awful.
I legitimately don’t think any character in this book could be defined in more than like. Three words? And the ONLY dynamic character is David. Which isn’t saying much.
David has about three personality traits:
1. Being gay
2. Track team
3. Liking bodice rippers
I know. That third one sounds interesting, right? I mean, even I have written a man who reads romance novels. But that’s literally the extent to which he is interesting. It’s his only redeeming factor.
Now, I shall go back to trying to find a book that made me feel the way Aristotle and Dante made me feel. Without rereading I’ll Give You the Sun.
I legitimately don’t think any character in this book could be defined in more than like. Three words? And the ONLY dynamic character is David. Which isn’t saying much.
David has about three personality traits:
1. Being gay
2. Track team
3. Liking bodice rippers
I know. That third one sounds interesting, right? I mean, even I have written a man who reads romance novels. But that’s literally the extent to which he is interesting. It’s his only redeeming factor.
Now, I shall go back to trying to find a book that made me feel the way Aristotle and Dante made me feel. Without rereading I’ll Give You the Sun.
June 26, 2017
The characters felt a flat to me, some of their actions didn't make sense to me (see: David and Kick 'experimenting' in the cabin and what happens after?) and nothing that happened was really explained, it was as if the writer was writing about what happened, but not how or why those things happened, it just didn't make sense to me and I didn't really feel for the characters as a result. The idea and the plotline was good, but it was very stereotypical. I was rolling my eyes at multiple points, there were some bits I liked, but mostly I was just bored and confused.
August 27, 2017
It's a book
Not much to say about this story. It's a little slow, and pretty superficial. The author, as so many other kindle contributors do, seems to think that "backseat" is a word. One has to wonder if they also would say "frontseat", or "I could care less" rather than the correct "I couldn't care less". People who don't know the difference should not style themselves as "writers" or "authors".
Not much to say about this story. It's a little slow, and pretty superficial. The author, as so many other kindle contributors do, seems to think that "backseat" is a word. One has to wonder if they also would say "frontseat", or "I could care less" rather than the correct "I couldn't care less". People who don't know the difference should not style themselves as "writers" or "authors".
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