Brie loves her gay best friend, Charlie, who's crushing on straight Walker, who's fallen for lesbian Daisy in Manning's (Guitar Girl
) uneven novel about four British teens in a summer drama workshop. They're performing The Taming of the Shrew
, and while the protagonists do not discuss the workshop or explore their own characters much, the play provides a loose parallel to their lives (pretty Brie is unable to stand up for herself, while outspoken Daisy is continuously fighting for equality). The teens, who each have a distinct voice, take turns narrating, describing their own personal crises: Charlie does not feel that being gay is the extent of his identity ("I only fancy straight boys, which is kinda limiting," he confesses), while Daisy is disappointed by her girlfriend's cold reaction when she makes a surprise visit to her at peace camp. Unfortunately, none of the protagonists is that easy to sympathize with: Brie is shallow, Walker keeps harassing Daisy, and even Charlie treats Brie badly. The book raises compelling questions about identity (after Daisy hooks up with Walker, she realizes "Maybe I should stop defining myself through the people I slept with and start trying to work out who the hell I actually am" and readers will applaud Brie's growing self-esteem, highlighted by her brilliant performance in the role of Kate), but despite the rotating perspectives, readers don't really get to know these characters. Ages 14-up. (June)
