Invisible boys by Holden Sheppard

Set in the small town of Geraldton, Western Australia, Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard is an emotionally charged YA novel that follows three teenage boys, Charlie, Hammer, and Zeke, as they each grapple with their sexuality. Through not one, but three rare, masculine queer voices, brutally honest and vulnerable, Sheppard lays bare the trauma queer teens can face growing up in conservative backgrounds.

Authentic and flawed, the characters in this book seem like real teens one could easily pass in a high school corridor. The emotional arcs of Charlie, Hammer, and Zeke are very convincing, as each of them go through denial, trauma, rage, and finally, self-acceptance. The novel jumps between the perspectives of the three boys and the narrative is raw and confessional, making readers feel like they’ve been dropped inside their heads. The slangy dialogue reflects the characters’ inner turmoil, at times intense, but invariably genuine. The plot is emotionally intense but well-paced, keeping readers invested even when it’s uncomfortable.

The story revolves around themes of sexual identity, masculinity, and mental health. The characters’ denial, confusion, and hesitation to ‘come out’ highlight how toxic masculinity and homophobia in society warp individuals, especially teenagers, who are made to feel ashamed to own their identities. With the book’s firm grounding in Geraldton, Sheppard makes the small-town claustrophobia and the fear of being outed palpable throughout. Invisible Boys, with its powerful, sometimes ugly but always real illustration of rural queer experiences, forces the reader to confront the consequences of societal judgment and shows that being oneself can be the most powerful, yet terrifying, thing of all.

It is not just a coming-of-age story. It’s a call for compassion and empathy. This is a book that will stay with readers long after the final page, especially those struggling with navigating their own identities in silence.

Themes: Sexual identity, Masculinity, Mental health

Jyotsna B. (Student)