How They Met, and other stories, by David Levithan
Levithan, David (2008). How They Met, and other stories. NY: Knopf. 256 pages.
Oh, David Levithan, I find it so hard to stomach your writing. I think you might be too much of a romantic for cynical old me. Yes, I know, I devoted an entire scholarly essay to the discussion of the importance of your novel, Boy Meets Boy (coming soon, Spring, 2008, from Children’s Literature Association Quarterly), and I agree that that novel was and is an important novel; however, I can’t stand your cheesy prose. Take it down a notch, and we’ll talk.
At any rate, fans of Levithan–and of BMB in particular–will welcome this collection of short stories, each of which is devoted to how various teen couples (boy/boy, girl/girl, boy/girl) met. The beginning of romance is always a hopeful topic and even I found my cold heart melting a bit with the first story, the tale of a six-year-old fix-up artist. I won’t argue that the appearance of stories of this type–namely GLBTQ romance told without excuse or apology–are needed, though I’m still waiting for someone to pony up with some erotic content (I’m talking to you, Julie Anne Peters). The problem with this collection is really the cheesiness; the stories often read more like your average “advanced” high school student’s literary magazine submission. You know what I’m talking about: occasional moments of naive insight hidden among pseudo-literary and awkwardly romantic musings. And yes, Levithan did include some of his own high school writings (unedited!) among the stories in this collection. I just can’t get away from the feeling that this collection, along with a lot of Levithan’s other writings, is just a little too self-indulgent. But, really, who am I to say? I’m blogging about young adult literature, for God’s sake. You know you’re going to read it anyway. Sigh.
Posted on February 1, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Hi, Elizabeth. I’m so glad someone is with me in the criticism of David Levithan. I always feel like such a bitch when I critique his novels; however, I don’t think that he should be excused for juvenile writing just because he writes about GLBTQ stuff.
I see where you’re coming from with Julie Ann Peters. I think that “Keeping you a Secret” was not one of her most successful novels. You should give her another try, though. I think her work is maturing.
Posted on February 2, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Thanks, that’s good to know. I will give her another try. Among other reasons, because I really and truly love a good teen romance, but I’m *picky* about them, so it’s worth the effort to find someone I’ll enjoy.
This is why I keep reading John Green even though his books have only partially worked for me yet; I see *potential* there for him to become an author that I love, even if right now I often *like* other people’s books more.
Posted on February 1, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Oh my god. I’m so with you on both David Levithan’s writing style (I *really wanted* to like Boy Meets Boy, and yet…), but even more so, on Julie Anne Peters. I’ve only read Keeping You a Secret, but it is just not successful fiction in my opinion. I bought it highly recommended by people I trust, and I just… don’t get it.
Honestly, it felt to me like it was published and recommended only because of the relative dearth of LGBT teen books, and while expanding that canon is something I strongly support (and frankly, even by unsuccessful literature if it means teens can access *something*), I feel we can do better.