I found it to be believable, interesting, and enjoyable, at times quite funny.
The title points at what often lies behind teenage assurances that they are OK when they really mean ‘get off my back’. I can, however, remember the conflict between what I wanted to say and what was expected of me or what I allowed myself to say. However, I feel that Madden has probably accurately captured the speech and social media interactions to be expected. I can scarcely remember what it was to be sixteen or how I talked to myself or others and have nil contemporary experience with that age group. ‘Dealing with it?’ He lets out a long sigh. And I’m not saying I’m gonna chuck all of Mum’s clothes in a Salvo’s bin this afternoon.
This kind of mourning is so human and beautifully linked to Luca’s mourning father throughout the story. The author may not have had the identical Luca experience but he has, like most physically intense performers or sports stars, had to realise that he has a life to explore after he can no longer depend on his talent to express himself and survive. Madden takes us into the private world of this teen as his world veers totally off the rails. The prognosis is dire – an end to ballet and his hopes. All that rosiness disappears in a classic fall down some stairs causing multiple fractures. His talent has obtained him a special private school education (not that he is particularly academic) and is out at school. He is gay with an understanding school teacher father but no longer a mother. The central figure, Luca, is skilled as a dancer (as is the author) and has his life mapped out from his age (16) onward to the Australian Ballet School and who knows what more. Author Tobias Madden has the right life/background to inform him for this YA novel set in his hometown of Ballarat.
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