Will Grayson, Will Grayson

by

Told in alternating chapters by Will Grayson and Will Grayson, this book is so ridiculous, that it's wonderful...I think. The first Will Grayson lives by two rules: don't get involved and don't care. He thinks this will keep him from getting hurt, like his mother did when his father walked out. Instead, what it gets him is lonely. He has just one friend, Tiny, an enormous gay friend who is so publicly-out and so flamboyantly gay, it's kind of painful to read about him. But you do because you love Tiny and the musical he is writing/directing/producing about his life and his gayness. Tiny is so full of heart, readers can't help but want him to succeed. Readers want to alternately smack Will for being distant, and hug him when he disobeys his rules.

the other will grayson does not use capital letters, which makes it a tad annoying for an english teacher like myself to read. he is depressed and chronically pessimistic. he is also gay and very much in the closet. his friend maura wants to date him, but he won't (because he is very gay, and very much in love with isaac, a boy he met online). he leaves ohio and takes a train to chicago (where tiny and the other will grayson live) to meet isaac. there, he has a painful surprise and a surprise-meeting with the other will grayson and tiny. meeting them changes his life.

Though I am still not sure if I like this book, it has stayed with me and I keep thinking about it, so clearly it's a keeper and good food for thought.