“What do you call it when a
straight person comes out? A conversation.” This brilliant line from Bill
Konigsberg’s novel sums up my reaction when I saw Openly Straight on the shelf. Sabri Deniz Kizil’s quirky cover art
indicates something unexpected and yet it is plain enough not to give anything
away, which meant I was forced to take the book in my hands in order to satisfy
my curiosity. Was it a conservative commentary on our culture’s increased
acceptance of homosexuality? Or maybe Konigsberg was on the same line of logic
as me, how does someone come out as straight? As it turns out, the answer is far from black-and-white.
Rafe, the narrator of Openly Straight, is a junior in high
school who has been out since he was 14. Growing up in the progressive
environment of Boulder, Colorado means that he never experienced hatred and
ostracism, which affects so many teens in other areas. Rafe’s parents threw him
a party, his classmates were all supportive, even the local news station
highlighted his experience. Sounds like a paradise, doesn’t it? The difficulty
is that Rafe feels trapped within his sexuality; being defined as “the gay kid”
prevents him from trying on different identities and pursuing other interests
independently of his orientation. This type of exploration is critical to
healthy development, if one subscribes to Erikson’s stage of Identity vs. Role
Confusion. In order to escape these perceived limitations Rafe transfers to an all-boys’
school in Natick, Massachusetts.
Rafe’s plan is to be quiet about
his sexuality while in Natick and not speak about it unless someone asks; he
doesn’t consider himself to be back in the closet, simply more private about
life. The only catch is that his uber-supportive parents and friends have no
idea what Rafe is planning to do, his first lie. At school Rafe quickly finds
himself welcomed by the soccer team, participating in flag football games, and
engaging in a bit of underage drinking with the guys, activities that many
people associate with the “average” teenage male. Rafe’s roommate, Albie, is a
little unusual (so is Albie’s friend Toby, who happens to be gay) but what’s a
guy going to do? Things like that happen. Then one day Toby asks Rafe is gay,
and when Rafe is forced to answer a direct question he can’t bring himself to
be honest; the second lie. Before long Rafe has invented an ex-girlfriend (his
best friend back home, Claire Olivia), fallen in love with his new—and straight—best
friend (Ben, who is developing strange feelings of his own), and the lies
continue to pile up, placing Rafe in a state of constant strain and tension.
Inevitably his stories fail to add up and the lies begin to collide, forcing
Rafe to confront the inner demons that are the true source of his insecurity.
Thanks to Openly Straight, author Bill Konigsberg has placed himself among
such prominent teen writers as John Green, Ned Vizzini, and Lauren Myracle;
while most authors talk down to teens when tackling difficult situations, Konigsberg
and crew speak to the intelligence that their readers possess. The concept of
hiding without being closeted is one that I have often heard from gay teens and
young adults but seems unexpected for a novel, yet Konigsberg tackles it
effortlessly. The author alternates between Rafe’s first-person narrative and
his journal entries for English class, followed by pointers from his teacher
(Mr. Scarborough); the benefit of this format is that the reader experiences
the raw emotions of Rafe’s perspective as well as the formal side that he puts
on for others, while Mr. Scarborough offers a commentary on both the literary
and personal flaws in Rafe’s thinking, indirectly speaking to the reader by pointing
out these common mistakes. The journal entries also provide a nice break from
the main storyline, allowing the reader to breathe when things grow too tense.
Openly
Straight is like a delicious salad, many of the components
work both individually and as part of the greater whole. The most prominent struggle
is the labeling process that teenagers experience, and this theme works beyond
the issue of orientation. What teen hasn’t felt defined as just a jock, the
brainiac, the perky cheerleader, etc.? What adult hasn’t let go of dreams and
interests in pursuit of the 9-to-5? Konigsberg reminds the reader to avoid
putting those labels onto others and to celebrate everything they are. Through
the voice of Mr. Scarborough, he also discusses the innate flaws of the popular
terms “tolerance” and “acceptance” in a way that is simple yet challenging.
Tolerance essentially states that something is wrong but people choose to
ignore it; likewise, the practice of acceptance indicates that there is a negative
or abnormal trait that needs to be accepted. The students are confused, what is
left when these two buzzwords are taken out of the picture? Konigsberg’s answer
is celebration, a practice in which one experiences joy through seeing the
beauty in others.
At this point some major spoilers
are going to come up, so if you wish to remain unaware of the book’s ending
please stop reading. I also recommend that you purchase Openly Straight and read it for yourself because the final events
provide a crucial lesson not only for gay teens but for people everywhere.
Moving on, when Rafe’s secret finally comes to light it has repercussions that extend
beyond ignorance and rejection. Throughout the novel Rafe and Ben’s budding
bromance has pushed the traditional boundaries of friendship, Konigsberg aptly
describes it as the innate overlap between agape
and eros. This culminates with the
two engaging in a night of sexual exploration that turns Ben’s world upside down
and when he admits to Rafe that he could never pursue a relationship with
another guy, it prompts Rafe to admit the truth. The result is not what Rafe hoped
for. Ben feels betrayed and hurt, ends their friendship, and the reader is left
with the impression that the two do not speak again. This speaks to a dream
that is very common among gay teens: “turning” the straight friend. Personally,
I have always perceived this as an unhealthy fantasy and Konigsberg does a
beautiful job of illustrating why that is: you can never expect someone to be
something they are not, nor can you push them to be more than they are ready for.
Am I saying that it’s impossible for a heterosexual male to fall in love with
another male? No, but it is highly unlikely for two reasons: he is either
straight, or not ready to embrace who he is.
Rather than sugar-coating the truth
Konigsberg demonstrates the realistic consequences of such fantasy, a rude
awakening that many people need to see and one that is applicable beyond
sexuality: an alcoholic girlfriend is not going to change until she is ready to
accept her problem, a friend who takes advantage of those around him may never
see the problem until it is in front of him. This doesn’t mean that they will
never change but the only way they will change is if it comes from within, your
expectations are not going to inspire change unless someone already has the
spark of change within them. That being said, Rafe leaves the reader with sweetness
to match the bitter. He finds the courage to celebrate everything that makes him
“Rafe” and begins a new life in which he will encourage others to join the
party.
Rating: 9/10
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/openly-straight-bill-konigsberg/1113367900?ean=9780545509893
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