'Two Boys Kissing' by David Levithan is a powerful and poignant story that follows the lives of seven gay teenage boys as they navigate issues of identity, relationships, and acceptance. The narrative is uniquely narrated by a Greek chorus of gay men who have passed away from AIDS, providing a perspective that spans generations and highlights the struggles faced by LGBTQ individuals. At the center of the story are Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds aiming to break the world record for the longest kiss as a statement against hate crimes, while the book delves into the lives of other teens dealing with various challenges related to their sexual orientation.

The book beautifully weaves together themes of love, acceptance, and the evolving landscape of LGBTQ rights, drawing readers into the emotional journey of the characters and offering a poignant reflection on the experiences of gay youth past and present. Levithan's writing style is described as raw, emotional, and eye-opening, engaging readers with its lyrical quality and heartfelt storytelling that leaves a lasting impact on those who read it.

Characters:

The characters are diverse, representing various aspects of the LGBTQ experience, including issues of identity, acceptance, and relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines lyrical prose with an unusual Greek chorus narration, offering deep emotional resonance while being seen as both beautiful and potentially pretentious.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around two boys' attempt to break the record for the longest kiss, showcasing a diverse array of LGBTQ teen experiences and perspectives.

Setting:

Set in a modern high school during a 24-hour period, the setting highlights contemporary LGBTQ issues alongside historical contexts.

Pacing:

The pacing varies but generally moves quickly through interwoven stories, although some readers experienced initial slowdowns as they adjusted to the format.

It’s hard to think of such things when you are busy dreaming or loving or screwing. The context falls away. We are a spirit-burden you carry, like that of your grandparents, or the friends from your c...

Notes:

The book is narrated by a collective voice of gay men who died from AIDS.

It focuses on two gay teens trying to break the world record for the longest kiss.

The story unfolds over a 24-hour period and includes various characters, each with unique experiences within the LGBTQ community.

The narrative structure is described as a Greek Chorus, offering commentary on the lives of the characters.

The novel addresses themes of acceptance, identity, and the struggles faced by LGBTQ youth today and in the past.

Levithan emphasizes that not every gay story needs to revolve around trauma or bullying; some characters experience love and acceptance instead.

The book highlights the generational divide between those lost to AIDS and the current generation of gay teens.

It's recognized for its diverse representation of characters, including cisgender and transgender boys.

The narrative reflects on the progress made since the AIDS crisis while reminding readers that more work is needed for acceptance and equality.

David Levithan aimed to create a narrative that allows the gay community to tell its own stories honestly.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include themes of suicide, homophobia, and the impact of the AIDS crisis.

Has Romance?

The book includes romantic elements but is more focused on the broader narrative of identity and acceptance.

From The Publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

STONEWALL HONOR BOOK

LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD WINNER

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD LONGLIST

"You have to read this." -Rainbow Rowell, bestselling author of Eleanor & Park and Carry On

From the New York Times bestselling author of Every Day, this love story of shared humanity and history Hypable calls "an interconnecting web that will leave you emotionally exhausted and absolutely thrilled to have read something so beautiful and unique."

Based on true events-and narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS-Two Boys Kissing follows Harry and Craig, two seventeen-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record. While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teens dealing with universal questions of love, identity, and belonging.

Ratings (3)

Incredible (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (4)

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Two Boys Kissing?

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About the Author:

When not writing during spare hours on weekends, David Levithan is editorial director at Scholastic and the founding editor of the PUSH imprint, which is devoted to finding new voices and new authors in teen literature. His acclaimed novels Boy Meets…

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Two Boys Kissing

David Levithan