Review of Dancing with Panthers
17 posts
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dancing with Panthers" by Patrick C. Notchtree.]
In Dancing with Panthers by Patrick C. Notchtree, Mark Martin, the main character, is an unhappy 14-year-old boy. After his family’s divorce, he is taken to a new city to start a new life, but he hates it. His relationship with his mother and older sister is strained. He used to have a close bond with Tony, but now, the two are separated. He misses the times when he and Tony did homework together, played together, and explored each other in a physically intimate way. Mark’s life is isolated and empty. One day, a man, who has been following the boy for some time, approaches him and offers five pounds. The money is far more than the amount he can earn from a Saturday job, but the encounter is undoubtedly shady, and Mark is getting into situations he does not fully understand due to his adolescence. Mark still has to go to school, but he experiences adulthood as he explores his sexual identity and earns money to elevate his and his mother’s living standards.
Mark is a relatable character. Anyone who has faced significant life changes, loneliness, and newfound responsibilities as an adult can easily empathise with his struggles and feelings. Everyone can relate to the desire for connection and financial security. Moreover, sexuality is a sensitive, confusing topic. There is nothing black and white about this matter, so Mark's journey is great for readers to engage with the matter safely and reassure themselves that they are not alone.
While Mark's character arc is great, the story contains explicit situations that could make some readers uncomfortable. The author also notes that the book has a couple of instances where racially stereotypical terms are used because the story is set in the early 1960s. However, they do not affect my rating.
To sum up, Dancing with Panthers appeals to readers who are interested in coming-of-age stories and homosexual relationships between males. The only drawback of this book is the editing. I found many typos and grammatical mistakes while reading, so the editing needs improvement. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
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Dancing with Panthers
View: on Bookshelves |
In Dancing with Panthers by Patrick C. Notchtree, Mark Martin, the main character, is an unhappy 14-year-old boy. After his family’s divorce, he is taken to a new city to start a new life, but he hates it. His relationship with his mother and older sister is strained. He used to have a close bond with Tony, but now, the two are separated. He misses the times when he and Tony did homework together, played together, and explored each other in a physically intimate way. Mark’s life is isolated and empty. One day, a man, who has been following the boy for some time, approaches him and offers five pounds. The money is far more than the amount he can earn from a Saturday job, but the encounter is undoubtedly shady, and Mark is getting into situations he does not fully understand due to his adolescence. Mark still has to go to school, but he experiences adulthood as he explores his sexual identity and earns money to elevate his and his mother’s living standards.
Mark is a relatable character. Anyone who has faced significant life changes, loneliness, and newfound responsibilities as an adult can easily empathise with his struggles and feelings. Everyone can relate to the desire for connection and financial security. Moreover, sexuality is a sensitive, confusing topic. There is nothing black and white about this matter, so Mark's journey is great for readers to engage with the matter safely and reassure themselves that they are not alone.
While Mark's character arc is great, the story contains explicit situations that could make some readers uncomfortable. The author also notes that the book has a couple of instances where racially stereotypical terms are used because the story is set in the early 1960s. However, they do not affect my rating.
To sum up, Dancing with Panthers appeals to readers who are interested in coming-of-age stories and homosexual relationships between males. The only drawback of this book is the editing. I found many typos and grammatical mistakes while reading, so the editing needs improvement. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
******
Dancing with Panthers
View: on Bookshelves |
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