Golden Boy (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Abigail Tarttelin |
| Products | Book |
Golden Boy represents Abigail Tarttelin's sophomore novel, released in 2013. The narrative revolves around Max, an intersex adolescent, and his familial relationships. The book garnered significant praise, including being highlighted by Oprah's Book Club as a "dazzling debut."
Conception and influences
Tarttelin explores the concept of intersex to question conventional gender stereotypes, expressing her view that distinctions between men and women are minimal. In an interview with Interview Magazine, she characterizes gender largely as a social construct and critiques restrictive mainstream perceptions concerning the gender roles of transgender youth. Nonetheless, she concedes that gender can affect physical interactions, such as those involving intimidation.
During a discussion with Goodreads, Tarttelin noted that her main character endures societal pressure to label their gender identity despite lacking such necessity, emphasizing this within the context of an "'average' community and a loving family." Her intention is to portray characters of varied gender identities as natural members of everyday communities rather than marginalized figures.
Influences shaping the novel include Lianne Simon's Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite alongside dialogues with gender fluid individuals encountered on Tumblr.
Synopsis
Max Walker epitomizes the golden boy archetype: gifted in sports, good-looking, and intelligent, hailing from an affluent family harboring secrets—Max is intersex. Following a devastating betrayal by a childhood companion, the family’s facade begins to crumble, compelling them to face long-concealed realities.
Reception
Clare Calvet from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Nightlife designated Golden Boy as Book of the Week, describing it as an "amazing coming of age story" and a "powerful page turner" particularly suitable for educational settings. Jeanne Thornton writing for the Austin Chronicle commended the novel’s emphasis on secrecy rather than anatomy as a more engaging mainstream storyline.
The book has been well-received within intersex communities. Hida Viloria, director of Intersex Campaign for Equality, praised it as a "thoroughly engrossing novel with a pioneering perspective," skillfully combining intricate themes with nostalgic elements appealing to both young adults and older readers. Morgan Carpenter of Organisation Intersex International Australia acknowledged its authentic depiction of struggles involving conformity and independence but described it as "intersex lite," viewing it as an accessible introduction to the subject for general audiences.
Awards
Golden Boy earned a 2014 distinction from the Alex Awards and was listed among School Library Journal's top books of 2013.