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Loading... The Outrage (edition 2021)by William Hussey (Author)
Work InformationThe Outrage by William Hussey
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. In this YA dystopian novel, in England the Protectorate is in charge. There are rules for everything, and you're safe only if you follow them. Gabriel is a natural rule breaker. His biggest crime is being gay. And his boyfriend's father just happens to be the chief inspector at Degenerate Investigations. CW: homophobia, homophobic language, self harm, suicide references, scenes of violence, ableism, racism. This book has strong world building, with a fleshed out, painfully realistic dystopian setting. It has the standard YA dystopian set up of 'society changes drastically for the worst after an event', in this case 'the outrage'. Hussey draws parallels to things like nazi book burning and UK section 28. I really liked the use of movies to highlight the importance of seeing people like yourself in the media (althought there were some questionable movie choices). There are some strong ideas in this book, and an interesting plot and compelling characters along the way. A lot of it reads like a sweet, tragic love story. Eric and Gabe are so wonderful, soft and sweet and tough and loyal. They have a group of likeminded friends, and form their own private resistance against the police state that they live in. There is also a trans character who I really liked. However, as the plot progresses, things turn bad. Very bad. This book is not an easy read. It's very heavy. Halfway through I was really struggling because of how horrific some of the events are. This book is a wake up call to people in countries where being queer is legal now. Other countries are much more similar to the dystopia portrayed in the novel and the fight is far from over. It's also a look at how easy it is to lose victories, which is especially important given the current situation with trans rights in the UK and US. Progress isn't linear, and this is a good exploration of how our current politics and situation could lead to a loss of rights that we've gained. Whilst the opression on grounds of sexuality and gender is explored in depth, I did feel like the racism and ableism were brushed over somewhat, and therefore the book wasn't as layered as it could have been. However, it's a much more realistic dystopia than I usually see in YA novels, and I felt incredibly invested in the characters and their stories. Although it features a love story, this isn't a romance, it's a revolution. 4.5 stars. no reviews | add a review
What if falling in love was a crime? "You know, when you live in a time of progress, it seems that progress is the only possible way. The idea that everything we'd gained, all of those hard-won rights, could be taken away from us, and that open minds could be closed again? But then the Outrage happened." Welcome to England, where the Protectorate enforces the Public Good. Here, there are rules for everything - what to eat, what to wear, what to do, what to say, what to read, what to think, who to obey, who to hate, who to love. Your safety is assured, so long as you follow the rules. Gabriel is a natural born rule-breaker. And his biggest crime of all? Being gay. Gabriel knows his sexuality must be kept secret from all but his closest friends, not only to protect himself, but to protect his boyfriend. Because Eric isn't just the boy who has stolen Gabriel's heart. He's the son of the chief inspector at Degenerate Investigations - the man who poses the single biggest threat to Gabriel's life. And the Protectorate are experts at exposing secrets. No library descriptions found. |
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.92Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 2000-RatingAverage:
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At times a very gritty, gut-punching novel but I found the premise of the ultra conservative movement gaining so much momentum from one incident a little far-fetched...I think the author should have come up with a more plausible reason for the country turning back on the steps it had made to be more inclusive and diverse. I also found the ending a bit too convenient.
Nevertheless, an engrossing story of forbidden love and living under a totalitarian regime.