Eighteen year-old Evan and his best friend, Davis, get beaten up for being loners. For being gay. For just being themselves. But as rough as things...
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Feb 08, 2012
Leslee
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With or Without You is a very well-written book with a dramatic and intriguing plot. The story line probably isn't appropriate for anyone younger than middle school. Evan is a high school senior, along with his best friend Davis. Both of these boys are gay and are experiencing great struggle in fitting in. Evan also has a boyfriend, Eric that he keeps from his friends and family. The author does a wonderful job of describing the hardships Evan is going through when he has to make decisions on ho
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Jan 26, 2012
Doug
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I did enjoy this book. I will try to post the review with little spoilers because there are some major plot points that need to be kept hidden, so that they will surprise the reader when they get to them.
This is the story of Evan Weiss, who has an interesting "friendship" with a childhood boy named Davis. They go to high school together, are both gay, and have the unfortunate condition of getting beaten up by the local high school jocks. Evan's home life is inte More...
This is the story of Evan Weiss, who has an interesting "friendship" with a childhood boy named Davis. They go to high school together, are both gay, and have the unfortunate condition of getting beaten up by the local high school jocks. Evan's home life is inte More...
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Jan 10, 2012
Karen
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OK, I have to say that I wasn't sure about this book at first. When I was about 100 pages in I almost put it down, but I decided to keep going and I am glad that I did.
Not that the first 100 pages was bad or uninteresting, but because it was like a chick-lit book but with two boys. For anyone that knows me, I do not care for chick-lit books or at least most of them that I have read anyway.
The first 100 or so pages was all about relationships, love, etc. But then I peeked ahea More...
Not that the first 100 pages was bad or uninteresting, but because it was like a chick-lit book but with two boys. For anyone that knows me, I do not care for chick-lit books or at least most of them that I have read anyway.
The first 100 or so pages was all about relationships, love, etc. But then I peeked ahea More...
Nov 15, 2011
Diane
rated it:
Evan and Davis just graduated from high school and are planning on leaving Madison to go to college in Chicago. They have been friends since they were 10, bound together through the constant bullying and beatings because they are gay. They are out to family and friends, best friends not lovers. Over the summer, though, everything changes. Evan’s relationship with Erik becomes more serious, and Davis becomes involved with the Chasers. As the summer proceeds events careen off into dangerous
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May 30, 2011
Kelley
rated it:
I devoured the whole thing yesterday, staying up way too late even though the kids would have me up way too early. I just couldn’t stop reading.
Honestly, I’m not sure where to even start in this review. I think I’m still trying to process what I read, but I need to talk about it too. There was much more to this book than I realized going into it. Layers of plot that were all equally engaging. As I’ve said before there are two things that really get me when I’m reading. I’m an emotion More...
Honestly, I’m not sure where to even start in this review. I think I’m still trying to process what I read, but I need to talk about it too. There was much more to this book than I realized going into it. Layers of plot that were all equally engaging. As I’ve said before there are two things that really get me when I’m reading. I’m an emotion More...
May 24, 2011
Andres
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book because of the "good read" trifecta: great writing, great characters, and interesting story. I tend to pass over a lot of the YA books that come across my desk at work because of the hokey plots or the uninspired writing (which only reflects on what gets delivered to me, not YA literature in general!). If the synopsis on the back doesn't sound like a hundred other similar stories, I at least give the book a try.
And this book is definitely worth a tr More...
And this book is definitely worth a tr More...
Nov 19, 2011
Kelly
rated it: 
2.5
This is an interesting literary LGBTQ title. Less about the "am I or aren't I" aspect of sexuality and a lot more about fitting in, about figuring out how love and friendship work, and other post-coming out challenges. I emphasize literary on this one, too, which is sort of what makes it different and noteworthy in and of itself. I can definitely see the appeal, and I definitely see this being well loved among teens and 20-somethings.
The writing itself and the st More...
This is an interesting literary LGBTQ title. Less about the "am I or aren't I" aspect of sexuality and a lot more about fitting in, about figuring out how love and friendship work, and other post-coming out challenges. I emphasize literary on this one, too, which is sort of what makes it different and noteworthy in and of itself. I can definitely see the appeal, and I definitely see this being well loved among teens and 20-somethings.
The writing itself and the st More...
Jul 18, 2011
Sean
rated it:
(2.5 / 5)
This was an odd book to read, as it felt very disjointed. It often seemed like there were two very different stories battling against each other - one a sweet teen romance and the other a melodramatic ABC Family movie that delivered its message with a sledgehammer.
It could have gelled together more had the supporting characters been less one-note. They're either bad or good with very little grey areas. The narrator's boyfriend is too good, the new kid in town More...
This was an odd book to read, as it felt very disjointed. It often seemed like there were two very different stories battling against each other - one a sweet teen romance and the other a melodramatic ABC Family movie that delivered its message with a sledgehammer.
It could have gelled together more had the supporting characters been less one-note. They're either bad or good with very little grey areas. The narrator's boyfriend is too good, the new kid in town More...
May 24, 2011
Doret
rated it:
18yr old Evan has just graduated high school. Everyone knows Evan is gay, but no one knows about his boyfriend. Not even Davis, his best friend. The two have been friends since the third grade and came out when they were thirteen. Evan and Davis have been bullied all throughout high school. They planned to move to Chicago for college but that was before Erik and the Chasers.
Evan has been dating Erik for a year. The two have a great relationship. Erik has welcomed Evan fully into his More...
Evan has been dating Erik for a year. The two have a great relationship. Erik has welcomed Evan fully into his More...
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May 29, 2011
Danna
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With or Without You is the first LGBT book I’ve read that has sounded realistic to me. I know a bunch of people (family and friends) who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual (haven’t met a transgender yet) so having these kinds of books out there is important to me because I think it helps people understand that there’s nothing wrong with it.
I felt really bad for Evan and Davis, especially since what they went through happens all the time (getting beat up just for being homosexual). Evan was someo More...
I felt really bad for Evan and Davis, especially since what they went through happens all the time (getting beat up just for being homosexual). Evan was someo More...
Jun 04, 2011
Thomas
rated it:
Evan and Davis have been best friends since the third grade. They share many things: their sexuality, beatings from bullies, and a desire to escape their lonely little town of Madison, Wisconsin. In fact, they both plan to attend the University of Chicago this upcoming fall. However, Evan has one thing Davis doesn't - a comforting and reliable boyfriend named Erik. Evan has successfully kept Erik a secret from his friends and his family for quite some time, but when Davis gets recruited to join
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Nov 22, 2011
Anne
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Evan is gay. So is his best friend, Davis. They are not a couple, but the get beaten up and bullied mercilessly regardless of this fact. Davis hears about a group called The Chasers who meet at the Rainbow Youth Center. This group seems to offer hope for standing up to bullies, but it turns out that they have a much more sinister purpose. Meanwhile, Evan has a secret boyfriend, Erik. They have been together for a year, but Evan has told no one about him, including best friend Davis. Erik
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May 19, 2011
Cynthia (cynthial11)
rated it:
There was a lot of stuff going on in With or Without you, it wasn’t just one simple plot with a perfect ending and that’s it, there were a few little layers of plots that were all connected to our main character Evan. Evan is torn between his best friend Davis who’s gotten into a group call the Chasers, a group that’s suppose to support and instilled pride in being gay but it's nothing but bad news and their main focus is to feel free and have sex with whoever they want. He also has his perfect
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Jul 01, 2011
Tara
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REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED http://hobbitsies.net/wordpress/?p=3147
With or Without You is an amazing, depressingly realistic portrayal of the misconceptions many people still hold regarding HIV and AIDS, even decades after it became a widely known issue. But apart from the big issue of With or Without You, it’s also the story of a high school senior trying to figure out who he is and how to make his own decisions.
There are a lot of books with gay protagonists where the focus More...
With or Without You is an amazing, depressingly realistic portrayal of the misconceptions many people still hold regarding HIV and AIDS, even decades after it became a widely known issue. But apart from the big issue of With or Without You, it’s also the story of a high school senior trying to figure out who he is and how to make his own decisions.
There are a lot of books with gay protagonists where the focus More...
Jul 26, 2011
Jazzmyn
rated it:
throughout this book i was either giggling at Evan's sarcastic remarks... or silently screaming at him for not talking to people about his problems. I really liked that the main character was a painter, i ,too, love to paint and i've been in that same sittuation with the "eyeball monster" who knows how many times. i know how it feels to struggle as an artist, but evan is truly a curageuos soul for not only undertaking art, but his friends problems as well. I loved the deeper message of
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Jul 26, 2011
K.Z.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 13, 2011
Jamie
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With or Without You is, simply put, astounding. It tells the story of Evan, a gay teen who is trying to find where he fits in the world, while dealing with some very emotional and life-changing events.
From page one, Farrey's writing grips you like a tool shed vice, squeezing and squeezing on your emotional self until you reach the popping point. Beautiful prose is blended masterfully with realistic, almost four-dimensional characters that I desperately wanted to see rounding the corn More...
From page one, Farrey's writing grips you like a tool shed vice, squeezing and squeezing on your emotional self until you reach the popping point. Beautiful prose is blended masterfully with realistic, almost four-dimensional characters that I desperately wanted to see rounding the corn More...
Sep 27, 2011
Jen
rated it:
I bought this book at the Second Story Reading series after hearing Brian read from it. I'd been considering buying it anyway because of a couple of suggestions from trusted friends, but when I heard Brian read from it, I knew I had to have it. So I bought two copies and had them signed. I'll be giving one away soon.
Very simply put, this book is a fantastic read. It's sentimental without being sappy. It's controversial without being preachy. It's entertaining without being cheesy. E More...
Very simply put, this book is a fantastic read. It's sentimental without being sappy. It's controversial without being preachy. It's entertaining without being cheesy. E More...
Jun 26, 2011
Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books)
rated it:
With or Without You is a character-driven, harsh, stunning, but beautiful story about a young man caught between the two worlds he’s tried to keep separate The title actually sums up the book perfectly. Except not really, because Brian Farrey’s storytelling and character development are incredible. Evan, an 18 year old senior, has all the problems a guy his age should have, but then he has to contend with the gay-bashing he experiences on a regular basis. Because, yeah, he’s gay. But he’s not j
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Aug 11, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
With or Without You now takes its place in my top ten most memorable books of all time. Even a day later, I can't shake the full bevy of emotions that I've been feeling since I finished the book. What Brian Farrey has done is craft a story that is so real, so raw, that it is almost too tough to read. He deals with subject matter that most writers are afraid to tackle, and does so with utter finesse. I am in love with this book.
Gushing aside, I'll do my best to explain to you what mak More...
Gushing aside, I'll do my best to explain to you what mak More...
May 25, 2011
Brent
rated it:
Everyone is on the hunt for a book with gay characters. With gay characters, not about gay characters. Books about gay characters have plots that central around coming out, and have themes of acceptance. Books with gay characters are have plots that are, well, normal plots. Books with gay characters can be about vampires, apocalypse, or even fat mobsters who always fall down the stairs. Books with gay characters have other themes besides acceptance.
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU is a book with More...
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU is a book with More...
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Feb 10, 2012
Courtney
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I enjoyed reading this book. It gives you a perspective on what people go through in order to fit in. Every person wants to fit in somewhere and some people will go to an extreme. Evan has a wonderful boyfriend he loves. Davis is trying to fit in by joining a club. The club gets him into trouble and Evan must rescue him. This book is great for heterosexuals or homosexuals. It reminds people to treat every person the way you would want to be treated. I recommend this book for age appropriate peop
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Jan 12, 2012
Amy
rated it:
For me, a good book must have superb characterization and it has to evoke emotion. Evan, Erik, Davis and all others included in this book were incredibly believable. They didn't have two dimensional personalities, nor were there stereotypical. Throughout the course of this book i had experienced the character's butterflies, anger, disbelief, and hope. Sable and his selfish, sickening, HIV spreading cult disgusted me to no end. There are so many themes and layers in this book, all which i thoroug
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Oct 06, 2011
Brooke
rated it:
Wow. Excellent and realistic in every way. I haven't been this impressed in a while! While I admit to the main character, Evan, getting under my skin and last nerve almost all the time, I do realize that it does reflect the exact way insecure, lonely eighteen year olds would handle certain situations. I really felt for him. I also wanted to push him. Guess I'm not as patient as Erik, Evan's dreamboat boyfriend. Poor Evan never even believed he deserved anyone's love or attention. He lied, joked,
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Jun 14, 2011
Ashley
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Apr 12, 2011
Peter
rated it:
I loved this book when it was on submission but I was out-bid. I'm glad to see it's finally being released. The writing is nothing short of amazing, the subject matter is relevant and handled well, and the characters are charismatic, likeable, believable, and relatable. It's a tough book to read, but it should be.
(My one gripe: the cover copy gives away too much!)
(My one gripe: the cover copy gives away too much!)
Sep 22, 2011
Bradley
rated it:
This book was very frustrating for me due to the content. It has a lot to due with gay men trying to intentionally contract HIV by havind bareback sex. I read this the night of the AIDS Walk and it really pisses me off that the message isn't being heard by young gay men. Some guys consider HIV/AIDS a gift. WTF?
Oct 12, 2011
Jolene
rated it:
This is amazing. I didn't take a deep breath the whole time I read this book.
Sometimes books about current, serious, issues, get published because they hit the right issue at the right time. This book is not that book. Every person. Every relationship. Everything felt real. True. Awesome. This was one of those rare books that sucks you into a time warp, and two hours go by without you noticing anything outside of the story.
Amazing story. Fabulous writing. Love. Recommend.
Sometimes books about current, serious, issues, get published because they hit the right issue at the right time. This book is not that book. Every person. Every relationship. Everything felt real. True. Awesome. This was one of those rare books that sucks you into a time warp, and two hours go by without you noticing anything outside of the story.
Amazing story. Fabulous writing. Love. Recommend.
Jul 28, 2011
With or Without You is a story of love, friendship, family, and holding fast to what makes you you despite overwhelming pressure to do otherwise. Full review posted on Finding Wonderland: http://writingya.blogspot.com/2011/07/th...
Aug 29, 2011
Jeffrey
rated it:
Gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and beautiful and hopeful all at once. Brian Farrey's pitch-perfect writing and characterization make me care what happens to these character after the novel ends. I can't wait to read what he does next.
