In this novel, Chambers asks his readers to contemplate the meaning and complexity of life in a way that is quite refreshing in a young adult novel. As Hal struggles to come to terms with the events of the summer and understand Barry’s death, readers are presented with an engaging coming of age story that is far from usual.ĭance on My Grave is the second book in Aidan Chamber’s Dance Sequence, a series of novels related to one another only in spirit. The rest of the book is Hal’s recount of what happened mixed with running reports by a court appointed counselor. The book opens with a newspaper article detailing that a 16 year old, who we can conclude is Hal, was arrested for defiling Barry’s grave. Eventually the boy’s relationship becomes sexual and Hal finds himself completely enamored by Barry.įrom the very first page, however, readers are aware that this love story does not have a happy ending. Hal is drawn to Barry’s unique take on life while he continues to try to figure out his own. Hal even gets a summer job working with Barry and his mother. After Barry rescues Hal, they begin to spend a great deal of their time together. Meanwhile, Hal is deciding whether to continue on with school or enter the workforce himself. Barry is a few years older than Hal and had to leave school in order to help his mother run the family store after his father’s death. When Hal Robinson capsizes in his classmate’s boat that he borrowed, he is rescued by Barry Gorman. Know immediately, without having to wonder about it.” How do you ever know? I used to think I would know when it happened. Hal, both in relation to Barry and on his own, is a psychologically rich character worthy of deeper thought and examination Queer Representation: 1 teenage gay protagonist, 1 (bisexual/queer) love interest

Dance on My Grave by Aidan Chambers