It’s risky writing a sequel to a popular novel.
It could feel rushed. It may not reflect the same spirit. It may run out of fresh ideas. This sequel to Invisible Boys has none of these issues.
Every novel Holden Sheppard has written is a page turner. His characters are well developed and very accessible. But Yeah the Boys brings Holden’s writing up a notch – as is the case of any author passionate about their craft.
We reacquaint ourselves with Charlie, Hammer and Zeke, who are older so some things have changed since we last left them. Charlie and Zeke have had a falling out, and Hammer is a successful AFL player, even though there is younger talent ready to take the shine off him.
But Zeke and Hammer are still uncomfortable being gay.
Zeke consoles himself with a lot of sex. Hammer is fearful his fans and fellow teammates will learn about his sexuality – it could kill his career. But Charlie continues to be the out and proud young man we know. He lives with an older gay couple who are opening a men only nightclub.
What really grabbed me about this tale is the way it explores current issues, like the shallow nature of social media and the disappearance of gay social spaces. And it does it in a way which Gen X, Gen Y, Millennials, and Gen Z can relate to. Holden knows what he wants to say, and he says it well.
Gen X are represented by the older couple.
Curtis has fought the battles which paved the way to gay liberation, and Ahmed is the caring supportive partner described as the bottomiest of bottoms (one of my favourite lines in the book). Many of their views aligned with mine.
The pitfalls of 2020s social media is explored through a clueless influencer keen to close down the couple’s men’s only disco because of its lack of inclusivity. His failure to understand the world before his existence, along with his overblown self-importance, reflect how many of my generation feel about the destructive effect of certain social platforms.
The new cast don’t overshadow our three beloved stars.
Their inclusion is important to the things which need to be said about where the gay scene is at right now, because Charlie, Zeke, and Hammer are swept up in all of this – navigating their way between what was and what could be.
Another five star read from Holden.
kevin klehr 