Ugly by Robert Hoge (review)

In this memoir of his Australian youth, Hoge describes a childhood of being ugly: “Mine wasn’t any sort of cheap, home-brand ugly—it was an A-grade, top-of-the-range ugly.” That’s because he was born with severe facial disfigurement (eyes on the sides of his head and a “squashed” nose) and deformations of both his legs that eventually required amputation. After his family’s initial shock, they became his fierce defenders and encouragers, supporting him through a childhood of multiple surgeries, uncomfortable prosthetics, and longing to be a part of team sports. All this is seasoned with breezy Australian bluntness, a sunny contrast to the angsty tone of many disability narratives. Hoge writes with honesty about pain and distress (Hoge’s mother originally refused to see the baby) but plenty of comedy, too (since his prostheses didn’t bend at the knee, when wandering young Robert got stuck in deep mud he couldn’t pull himself out again), and the episodic narrative is eminently readable as it zips from Robert’s surgical recovery to his mischief-making to his discovery of the sport of lawn bowls. The story of a normally adventurous kid getting into scrapes with his friends combines naturally with details about his experience, and readers won’t have to share Robert’s physical challenges to appreciate the clever yet poignant encyclopedia of the top ten taunts he received (complete with ratings for originality, hurt factor, and laugh factor). This is an obvious complement to Palacio’s Wonder (BCCB 3/12), and it will be a gripping readaloud, readalone, and discussion point all on its own, too. Occasional black and white illustrations are included, as is a contemporary photo of Hoge; internet searches will quickly find his TED talk about appearance.