The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis (review)

Seventeen-year-old Evan has tried to keep the different worlds of his life from colliding—his strict Greek Christian family, his artist self, his school friends, and the boy from Bible camp, oh, that boy from bible camp. That separation is lost when, after rumors of Evan being "gay for" his best friend Henry, Tommy Goliski and his crew of gay-bashing goons decide to attack Evan, and he unleashes onto his assailants a lifetime of pent-up fury from his mother's physical and emotional abuse and also declares his unabashed love for Henry. Surmelis slowly builds up to this climactic event, combining the mundanity of teenage life—college preparations, dream chasing, and working to support the family—with Evan's stifled yet apparent fear of his mother, frustration with his passive father, and shame about his sexuality. Evan's character reads outwardly as nondescript, neither exemplary nor problematic, but his thoughtful and often conflicted narration gives readers insight to the complexity of personhood and just how much emotional baggage we carry unbeknownst to others. Juxtaposed with Evan are his best friends Henry (confidently out) and Jeremy (generally oblivious), who prove to be loyal and supportive as Evan attempts to close the messy chapter of his childhood life. An author's note is included, listing resources for bullying and abuse reporting in addition to links to LGBTQ organizations. MK