Not Not Normal

This short, easy-read novel about two 16-year-old boys is heartwarming and a comfort read to those who are LGBTQ2S+ or suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, bullying or panic attacks. Indeed, it’s a romance tale that will be uplifting to anyone who feels so “different” that they sometimes conclude they’re simply “not normal.” It not only represents people in these categories, it offers important coping skills embedded in the lively account.

Protagonist Jordan (it’s all in his third-person point of view) feels bullied and insecure, including having a fear of public bathrooms and public speaking. He is weighing the challenge of coming out while attracted to, intimidated by and in awe of, a new student at his school, Nathan. Nathan is much surer of himself, at times even aggressive in dealing with the world’s lack of acceptance when it comes to queerness.

Here’s a passage where Nathan comments on how his parents responded to his coming out:

My mom was great about it. She was one hundred per cent behind me. It was almost like she was the one who came out, not me… It wasn’t so good with [Dad]. He didn’t accept it. At all. He blamed Mom for babying me and said that all I needed was some manly influences to make me less queer-acting.

Indeed, both boys suffer from parental loss: Jordan’s mother died, and Nathan’s dad left. And each blames himself for the tragedies. In other words, these are traumatic circumstances they have in common that could have been milked much better in the plot. Strange that, instead, only a few paragraphs deal with these emotional triggers, almost like they’re plot points to expose in a bland and hurried way.

Likewise, strange that the story’s bully, Brody, has absolutely no personality or purpose other than to show up on occasion and bully the boys in totally predictable ways; he’s a cardboard character. As is Jordan’s father who appears seldom and does little other than to occasionally rub Jordan’s back and once help him save an injured bird.

Two other characters are more carefully drawn. Emma is a spunky girl who befriends Jordan in a protector role and encourages him when it comes to Nathan as a romantic partner. She’s a great example of an ally. And there’s a kind janitor who gives Jordan sanctuary and a sympathetic ear. It’s a bit over convenient that the school allows him to be a staff supervisor when Jordan and compatriots need one, but never mind.

More objectionable is the climax in which Jordan, Nathan and friends enact a play for the student body that requires a kiss between Jordan and Nathan. Since this coming out is what the entire novel has been building toward, it’s more than strange and deflating that it’s done with almost no dialogue; it basically all unfolds in Jordan’s inner observations, an example of “telling not showing.”

Even so, the novel carries us along briskly, we care about the characters and their circumstances, and we readily embrace the positive message that people like Jordan are “not not normal”, a clever title. Both boys change in positive ways due to their influence on one another.

Overall, then, Not Not Normal’s a heartfelt story with passion and helpful reflection points. Insecure teens will easily relate to it, and it will help straight readers and would-be allies better understand those struggling too silently beside them.