Wayward Son--"It hurts to look at you when you're this happy. And it hurts to look at you when you're depressed."

Title: Wayward Son

Author: Rainbow Rowell


LGBTQ+ Representation: Main characters are in an "it's complicated" m/m relationship


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Yay, the Chosen One has saved the world! But why is Simon so depressed? And why has his relationship with Baz just . . . stalled? Penny decides that a change of scenery would benefit them all, so she, Baz, and Simon rent a convertible to cruise across the western United States, enjoying the desert and eventually visiting Agatha. Along the way, they encounter a new world of magickal creatures, including Vegas vampires and a devious cult.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): Honestly, the beginning of this book was a bummer. I, someone who is super cynical in my own romantic life, just wanted things to be "happily-ever-after" for Baz and Simon, and they clearly weren't.  I emphasized strongly with Penny, who just wanted to "fix things" for everyone.



I like reading road trips much more than actually taking them; see here, here, here, here, and here.

I had to laugh at these British kids not knowing how big the United States was ("How was I to know that all these middle states are each the size of France? I've never even heard of Nebraska" pg. 59).


What made me happy:

• The Renaissance Faire ("Is the theme British? Is it just weird and British? . . . That shop over there sells magic wands! It's like they're mocking us, specifically" pg. 101).
• British vs. American idioms
• Were-Skunks ("Do you have a tomato-soup spell? That's the only thing that works on skunk spray" pg. 162).
• Mountain dragons
• Vegas vampires
• The dam (ha!) spirit
• Shepard the "Talker"
    

What made me sad:

• Baz and Simon and their COMMUNICATION ISSUES.
• Poor Penelope. She just can't fix everything and sometimes life just stinks.
• Untrustworthy characters 

The story is full of ups and downs and really reminds me of young adulthood--that feeling of optimism and knowledge you can only have as a teenager or an early-20-something, and the feeling of panic when you discover that you have NO CLUE.
 

This book is on the 2020 Rainbow Book List.


My final takeaway (in 75 words or fewer): Rowell's writing a third book! There's hope for Baz and Simon yet! Even though it ended on a positive note (kinda?) between them, it was still ambiguous enough that I need more of a story to make sure that these lovely boys live happily ever after.


Memorable quotes/passages from the book:

• "Simon Snow, it hurts to look at you when you're this happy. And it hurts to look at you when you're depressed" (pg. 65).
     
• "Why would you go through the desert on a horse with no name? Why wouldn't you name the f***ing horse at some point?" (pg. 94)."
      
• "I'm probably being recruited by a cult.
   And seduced by its charismatic leader.
   And I'm stranded at their compound.
  But everything seems mostly fine?" (pg. 173).
   
• "Fighting doesn't feel good anymore. It feels like breaking something because you don't know how to fix it" (pg. 298).

Other reviews: NPR and Den of Geek


If you liked this book, you should read Carry On and The Hidden Oracle.


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This book is available here: https://library.greensboro-nc.gov/

Learn more about the Rainbow Book List here: http://www.ala.org/rt/glbtrt