The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth

by Marilyn Singer

Becky Weiss doesn't realize she is in love with her best friend, Nemi Barish, until she has helped match him up with another member of her high school's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Marilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.

In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.

Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.

Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.

Reviews

[Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pick this book up at least once a year. It's in my top ten of favorite Y/A novels. It never ceases to engage me in the narrative, even though so many elements of the novel are dated. I can't help it. I want these kids to win. To be okay and to find the love and acceptance they're looking for. I remember it was the one the first books I picked up that had gay teen characters and non stereotypical POCs. I was drawn to the story of Becky and Nemi, childhood friends who began to grow apart as they both become infatuated with a superstar pair of siblings who transfer to their school. it's one of the few books that really embodies the idea that people always make choices (for good for ill) for what they consider positive reasons. It's a book I look to when I'm struggling with my own characters.

[Ruthiella · Rating 4 out of 5]

My goodreads friend Bryn marked this as a "to be read" the other day and the title, cover and synopsis piqued my interest...AND my library had a copy. WINNING.

I would have appreciated this book more had I read it as a teenager but by 1983 I had already aged out of YA literature. There is much in the book which dates it (payphones!, calling people "Turkey") but I think the adolescent themes and story lines are pretty universal.

The story is told from the perspective of Rebecca (Becky) Weiss, a high school junior whose crush on a new boy at her high school starts to jeopardize her platonic relationship with her best friend from elementary school who is also a boy. Central to the plot is the school production of A Midsummer's Night Dream.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was in middle/high school. My friend, C. and I just kept taking it out of library, and sometimes we'd just go visit on the shelf. C. just gave this to me as a house warming present and I've slowly savored re-reading it.

Reading it again after so many years, I still love it. The characters are great and you just root for them. Yes, it was written in the 80's, but the lesson these kids learn and go through is universal.

Reading it also made me realize that some of what C. and I did in those years was because of this book, but I'd forgotten the connections.

Now, that I own my very own copy I imagine I'll be re-reading it every couple of years, just like Jackaroo.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some strange reason I suddenly remembered this book today, and how much I loved it. As a drama kid, I enjoyed reading about the whole putting on a show thing. It was also likely the first book I read with gay characters. I distinctly remember a scene with a sleeping bag which I found terribly romantic. I checked to see if it was in our library system so I could re-read it, but sadly, it wasn't.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long-time favorite of mine. Written in 1983, taking place in the MC's junior year of high school, and revolving around her high school's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Despite the age, this doesn't feel dated, despite the lack of any more modern technology. A fairly diverse and relatable collection of characters.

[Kaemea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those 10/5 star books for me. A little known book, which is a pity because it's brilliantly written, I discovered this book when I was in high school and have read it several times a year since then. Wish it would come back in to print.

[Rachel E. Carter]

One of those old books that no one knows about, but is secretly brilliant. I wish there was more YA by this author because I loved this book:(

[Kaylee Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in high school, loved it and then spent years into my adult hood trying to remember the title of the book-only the cover image clear in my memory. Happy to say I finally rediscovered it!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm celebrating Teen Read Week by re-readng YA novels I loved as a teen. And maybe checking out some new ones.

This was one of my favorites circa 8th grade. Still just as fun and entertaining.