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Touch Me
This new young adult novel from award winning Australian author James Moloney is a love story which explores emerging male/female sexuality, looks at the culture of football, masculinity, mateship and friendship and shows the pressures of year 12 on emerging adults. "For Xavier McLachlan, Rugby is life. Winning a 1st XV jersey means everything ... Until he meets Nuala Magee. Has there ever been a girl like her? She's feisty, she's troubled, she's dangerous. What will his mates think? Does he even care? Everything looks different now. Xavier McLachlan is in love".
1 pages, Audio CD
First published May 1, 2000
9 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
James Moloney
54 books193 followersMy full name is James Francis Moloney and I was born in Sydney, Australia on 20 September, 1954. When I was seven years old, my family moved to Brisbane and except for the odd year or two, I have lived in Brisbane ever since. At school, I was into every sport going - cricket, footy, swimming - you name it. It's hard to believe now but in High School, I was a champion Long Jumper! After University I became a teacher and then a Teacher Librarian. I moved around from school to school and in 1977-8 found myself in Cunnamulla, a little "outback" town where many Indigenous Australians live. These turned out to be important years for my writing.
In 1980, I look a year's leave, stuffed a backpack full of clothes and went off to see the world. Got to do it, guys! There's so much out there, from things to uplift your spirit to things that make you question the humanity of your fellow man. I stepped over rotting dog carcasses in Mexico city, got all weepy in a roomful of Impressionist paintings and met some fascinating people. Hope you'll do the same one day.
1983 was another big year. I got married and started work at Marist College Ashgrove, an all-boys school in Brisbane, where I stayed for fifteen years. During this time, I became interested in writing for young people, at first using the ideas and experiences gained from my time in Cunnamulla, mixed in with the thinking and wondering I'd done overseas. After my early attempts were rejected, the first of my novels, Crossfire , was published in 1992.
In 1997, my fifth novel for young adults, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At the end of that year, I decided to leave teaching and become a full time writer.
In the mean time, my wife and I have produced three great children, two of whom are currently studying at University. Photos of them to the right, along with my lovely wife, Kate, who has encouraged me along every step of the way.
Now that I have turned my hobby into my job, I have had to develop some other interests. For exercise, I go cycling along the bike paths around Brisbane. I'm also into great books, great food, movies, travelling, learning to speak French and I dabble in a little painting. In recent years Kate and I have spent an extended period in France, cycled through Vietnam and soon we will be off to the USA.
In 1980, I look a year's leave, stuffed a backpack full of clothes and went off to see the world. Got to do it, guys! There's so much out there, from things to uplift your spirit to things that make you question the humanity of your fellow man. I stepped over rotting dog carcasses in Mexico city, got all weepy in a roomful of Impressionist paintings and met some fascinating people. Hope you'll do the same one day.
1983 was another big year. I got married and started work at Marist College Ashgrove, an all-boys school in Brisbane, where I stayed for fifteen years. During this time, I became interested in writing for young people, at first using the ideas and experiences gained from my time in Cunnamulla, mixed in with the thinking and wondering I'd done overseas. After my early attempts were rejected, the first of my novels, Crossfire , was published in 1992.
In 1997, my fifth novel for young adults, A Bridge to Wiseman's Cove won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award. At the end of that year, I decided to leave teaching and become a full time writer.
In the mean time, my wife and I have produced three great children, two of whom are currently studying at University. Photos of them to the right, along with my lovely wife, Kate, who has encouraged me along every step of the way.
Now that I have turned my hobby into my job, I have had to develop some other interests. For exercise, I go cycling along the bike paths around Brisbane. I'm also into great books, great food, movies, travelling, learning to speak French and I dabble in a little painting. In recent years Kate and I have spent an extended period in France, cycled through Vietnam and soon we will be off to the USA.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 6, 2013
I'm actually starting to enjoy being in the minority of hate. I love letting my hate rage just flow and destroy my opposition (my friends) and prove them wrong.
Right. Book.
Plot
Plot's...iffy. It started well, but it was sidetracked with feelings and bullshit, that didn't need to be included. Like the pregnancy. And the death. Some information that was included was just pointless. And pointless information should be punishable by death.
Writing Style
The writing style infuriates me. Mr Moloney obviously hasn't heard of a thin called a period or 'full stop'. Look. See? I can use them. Can you Mr Moloney? Sentences aren't freight trains, they have to finish at some point. So don't get me started on commas and apostrophes.
Point of view was horrible. You would change from character perspective to another character perspective without warning. It was especially confusing when you swapped between Nuala and Xavier and back again in the space of two paragraphs. Swapping character perspective without a sign is a big no no. You don't need a parade, complete with ticker tape, just a little nudge and a "hey, it's this person now," would suffice nicely.
Characters
Xavier-I loved and hated him. He attracted and repulsed me at the same time. Which was weird. Normally I'm very bi-polar towards characters and people a-like. I either love or hate you. The end. Sorry to offend anyone, but that's me. So to find someone that I hate and love...weird. He had some qualities that I loved, but others that really put me off him. I liked that he loved football, (I personally love football, so any guy that's loves it like I do, get's a tick in my book) but he was obsessed to the point that he cared more about football then his family and friends...unless they were in his team. And excuse me, you do not hit inspiration by listening to a song, finish in ten minutes and win first prize. It's impossible. Trust me. The last first prize I won in a story competition was a 250 word story, four drafts, and hours of agonizing. And it was out of 180 kids...so yeah...not that impressive.
Nuala-
GYAH! I HATE YOU.
BITCH.
You do not represent girls against stereotyped femininity. You are not an empowered woman. You're a prissy little bitch who was a slut, sleeping with a boy, while in school, before really knowing him, and it backfired. Grow up honey. Actions have consequences. Bitch.
Aside from the above rant, she is seriously not a tomboy, against stereotypes. She was a girl who was hurt and didn't like boy's looking at her like a...well a boy. They can't help their genetics and instincts that make them look. Still doesn't mean I wouldn't punch them in the nose if I ever did find a boy vision impaired enough to look, but my point rests. My point is that she decides to make a mockery of me, by acting like them and showing them how stupid they look sometimes. Make them feel uncomfortable. Regardless whether she knows them or not. And that, is frankly rude. You're punishing society for a minority of minority's mistake. Time to take the highroad sweety and grow-up. Seriously.
Alex- I love you. I really do. You're the only likeable main character in this whole book. You had a hard struggle and came out on top, meaning that you appreciate the smaller happiness's in life. You're so sweet and caring, but mostly, you're not a stuck up prick like the rest of the male characters. And you're not a drunk either. Because you followed the law. Notice the past tense. Why? Because *SPOILER ALERT!!!* HE DIES! OF A BLOOD CLOT! Why, Moloney, why? Why'd you kill off the only likeable character in the book? I'm not happy. Not. Happy.
Summary
To summaries, this book had very few positive aspects, and the few that it had, were too small to be really be worth it. You're final question may be, "then why give it two stars? Why not give it one if you hate it so much?" And I answer quite simply, "For Alex."
Rest In Peace Alex. I love you as much as I can love a fictional character that I barley knew anything about. These two stars are for you.
Right. Book.
Plot
Plot's...iffy. It started well, but it was sidetracked with feelings and bullshit, that didn't need to be included. Like the pregnancy. And the death. Some information that was included was just pointless. And pointless information should be punishable by death.
Writing Style
The writing style infuriates me. Mr Moloney obviously hasn't heard of a thin called a period or 'full stop'. Look. See? I can use them. Can you Mr Moloney? Sentences aren't freight trains, they have to finish at some point. So don't get me started on commas and apostrophes.
Point of view was horrible. You would change from character perspective to another character perspective without warning. It was especially confusing when you swapped between Nuala and Xavier and back again in the space of two paragraphs. Swapping character perspective without a sign is a big no no. You don't need a parade, complete with ticker tape, just a little nudge and a "hey, it's this person now," would suffice nicely.
Characters
Xavier-I loved and hated him. He attracted and repulsed me at the same time. Which was weird. Normally I'm very bi-polar towards characters and people a-like. I either love or hate you. The end. Sorry to offend anyone, but that's me. So to find someone that I hate and love...weird. He had some qualities that I loved, but others that really put me off him. I liked that he loved football, (I personally love football, so any guy that's loves it like I do, get's a tick in my book) but he was obsessed to the point that he cared more about football then his family and friends...unless they were in his team. And excuse me, you do not hit inspiration by listening to a song, finish in ten minutes and win first prize. It's impossible. Trust me. The last first prize I won in a story competition was a 250 word story, four drafts, and hours of agonizing. And it was out of 180 kids...so yeah...not that impressive.
Nuala-
GYAH! I HATE YOU.
BITCH.
You do not represent girls against stereotyped femininity. You are not an empowered woman. You're a prissy little bitch who was a slut, sleeping with a boy, while in school, before really knowing him, and it backfired. Grow up honey. Actions have consequences. Bitch.
Aside from the above rant, she is seriously not a tomboy, against stereotypes. She was a girl who was hurt and didn't like boy's looking at her like a...well a boy. They can't help their genetics and instincts that make them look. Still doesn't mean I wouldn't punch them in the nose if I ever did find a boy vision impaired enough to look, but my point rests. My point is that she decides to make a mockery of me, by acting like them and showing them how stupid they look sometimes. Make them feel uncomfortable. Regardless whether she knows them or not. And that, is frankly rude. You're punishing society for a minority of minority's mistake. Time to take the highroad sweety and grow-up. Seriously.
Alex- I love you. I really do. You're the only likeable main character in this whole book. You had a hard struggle and came out on top, meaning that you appreciate the smaller happiness's in life. You're so sweet and caring, but mostly, you're not a stuck up prick like the rest of the male characters. And you're not a drunk either. Because you followed the law. Notice the past tense. Why? Because *SPOILER ALERT!!!* HE DIES! OF A BLOOD CLOT! Why, Moloney, why? Why'd you kill off the only likeable character in the book? I'm not happy. Not. Happy.
Summary
To summaries, this book had very few positive aspects, and the few that it had, were too small to be really be worth it. You're final question may be, "then why give it two stars? Why not give it one if you hate it so much?" And I answer quite simply, "For Alex."
Rest In Peace Alex. I love you as much as I can love a fictional character that I barley knew anything about. These two stars are for you.
March 11, 2013
I was struggling to read on. If it wasn't for my school assignment I would've dropped it half way through part one! It was boring. Although, the ending about the Alex situation spiced it up a bit but the rest was useless and irrelevant!
October 9, 2011
One of my favourite books as a teenager. Made me understand how the boys lived at a private school. Brought on my love for the name Xavier :)
March 12, 2011
The storey was rubbish. I don't understand why the author wrote this book. :(
April 22, 2025
Xavier McLachlan lives and breathes Football, his main passion in life. Then one day catching a train home he spotted Nuala Magee a girl from another school. He was besotted with her, and she had a troubled past and he had something to prove. Not all blokes are the same.
He also started a friendship with Alex, another boy at his school that repeated as he was battling Leukemia. People he never would have associated with but enjoyed their company.
A book about finding yourself, friendships are tested and that meeting new and different people can change your perspective. I think Alex was the turning point for Xavier to re-evaluate his life and fight for what is important.
He also started a friendship with Alex, another boy at his school that repeated as he was battling Leukemia. People he never would have associated with but enjoyed their company.
A book about finding yourself, friendships are tested and that meeting new and different people can change your perspective. I think Alex was the turning point for Xavier to re-evaluate his life and fight for what is important.
July 26, 2018
I read this book to help my son, who is in year 11. He had to study this book for English.
January 10, 2019
I read this book in one sitting. Loved it and hope a film is made one day.
July 6, 2019
No matter how many times I read this I still love it! I highly recomend this as a book everyone should read
July 16, 2020
James Moloney hits hard again. Wasn't a huge fan of storyline A or B but the big C hit like a train.
September 30, 2024
alex 🥲
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2011
Touch Me is a coming-of-age story that examines the trials and tribulations of love, life and loss - all in the eyes of an Australian teenager, Xavier, who is about to graduate high school. But upon meeting Nuala Magee, he realises that he still has a lot to learn about himself.
This young man makes a full evolution throughout the story from a set-in-stone rubgy player with a "winning is everything" attitude, to a grown man with a renewed appreciation of life. After befriending and ultimately dating a girl with a traumatic past, meeting a boy with a terminal illness and truly examining his relationships with friends and familiars, Xavier McLachlan is exposed to and learns about the many different hardships that can plague life and pose the risk of losing the courage to live on - and ultimately, that life is nothing to take for granted. The reader is taken step-by-step through Xavier's slow but sure path to discovering who he really is, as opposed to who he has always believed himself to be.
There are some heavy themes in this novel, including death, teen sexuality and violence. Touch Me is a compelling read, and highly recommended.
This young man makes a full evolution throughout the story from a set-in-stone rubgy player with a "winning is everything" attitude, to a grown man with a renewed appreciation of life. After befriending and ultimately dating a girl with a traumatic past, meeting a boy with a terminal illness and truly examining his relationships with friends and familiars, Xavier McLachlan is exposed to and learns about the many different hardships that can plague life and pose the risk of losing the courage to live on - and ultimately, that life is nothing to take for granted. The reader is taken step-by-step through Xavier's slow but sure path to discovering who he really is, as opposed to who he has always believed himself to be.
There are some heavy themes in this novel, including death, teen sexuality and violence. Touch Me is a compelling read, and highly recommended.
February 22, 2012
I read this book for my Year 12 English class, and I will just say I was a little (albeit, a lot) disappointed. My teacher said that previous classes have loved reading it, but I didn't really. It's not the type of book I was expecting to have to read and analyse for Year 12, but, oh well.
I felt that the storyline and plot was good, with an important message, and it definitely had potential to be greater. The writing, however, did not really work for me. One of the reasons that makes a good book, for me, is that it needs to be written well, and this book just lacked that for me.
I don't know though, maybe the books that I normally read are different than expected for my class, but I didn't really enjoy this book all that much.
I felt that the storyline and plot was good, with an important message, and it definitely had potential to be greater. The writing, however, did not really work for me. One of the reasons that makes a good book, for me, is that it needs to be written well, and this book just lacked that for me.
I don't know though, maybe the books that I normally read are different than expected for my class, but I didn't really enjoy this book all that much.
February 20, 2013
I got handed this book for my year 12 English class and I was excited to read it because it was a book by one of my favourite authors. Once I started reading this book I made a habit of reading this more than doing my other homework because it was so good. I didn't want to put it down. I even found myself crying at some points. Will defiantly read it again.
Read
October 5, 2012When I first looked at this book after getting it for a class at school, I was a tad disappointed. When I began it though, I found it incredibly enjoyable. Don't judge this book by it's cover or by it's blurb (which should be rewritten), judge it after you've read it.
February 4, 2015
When I first read this I was 14 and madly in love with my first crush, it really fuelled my feelings and helped me figure out my emotions. Such a wonderful read and a book that I will always cherish and hold onto for the way it helped me get through the challenging life of a teenager
February 2, 2008
One of the best books ive read actually it is the best book uve read
August 4, 2011
One of my favourite books as a teenager. Made me understand how the boys lived at a private school. Brought on my love for the name Xavier :)
July 30, 2016
I read this book as part of a class. I wasn't interested in all the football talk but everything else interested me. I actually found myself crying over this book which no other has done that to me.
December 26, 2011
Quirky story about conformity and being strong enough to be who you want to be. Really enjoyed as an adult although it does target young adults. Worth reading and a quick read.
February 19, 2012
Studied it in class. It was okay. It wasn't exactly a fantastic read, and was quite rude in some areas, but it was overall okay.
September 25, 2012
Beautiful book about a young boy called Xavier whose life revolves around rugby that is until he meets a girl..
September 3, 2016
A brilliant look at gender and adolescent hetero relationships.
August 7, 2014
Nuala annoyed me a lot throughout this book. She's like an over-the-top feminist child.
Disappointing ending that wasn't very satisfying at all.
Disappointing ending that wasn't very satisfying at all.
December 18, 2014
Realism and YA fiction at it's best. A relate-able story with believable characters. A great read and a great part of the school curriculum.
April 11, 2016
Nuala and Xavier.
Read in year 10 english
Read in year 10 english
April 25, 2011
it was alright. kinda of strange
February 27, 2019
The moment they let the pizza go cold was the moment I realised this book was not for me
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews