Abstract
Reviewed by: How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi Alaine Martaus Ahmadi, Arvin How It All Blew Up. Viking, 2020 [288p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593202876 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593202883 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 8-12 When school bullies threaten to out eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi to his conservative Iranian Muslim parents, the usually responsible Amir does the unexpected: he runs away to Rome. Suddenly on his own in a strange city, he quickly falls in with a group of supportive young gay men, who jovially teach him about gay icons and Italian culture. Yet even as Amir slowly builds self-confidence and embraces life out of the closet, even finding an adorable Italian boy to date, he can't forget the drama he left behind. Largely focused on Amir's sweet, angst-filled narration, this novel offers readers a heartfelt coming-out story infused with a thoroughly enjoyable travelogue. While the characterization of Amir's new friends sometimes dips into cliché, readers will appreciate the comfort he finds with the memorable, outrageous band. A narrative frame involving airport security, meanwhile, gives Amir's family a chance to voice their stories, rounding out Amir's narrow perspective. It's those details that give the story its power and will lure readers to embrace Amir while daydreaming about far-off lands. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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