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oliviamae's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ljbentley27's review
3.0
I really like campus novels. I like having a sneaky peak into a world that I may be unaware of. I like it when those novels tackle difficult issues and Tradition definitely tackles a difficult issue. Kiely looks at the privilege that is shown to sports stars within private schools and how that privilege can manifest itself in insidious sexual attacks that are brushed under the carpet.
With a dual narrative, we see what life at Fullbook is like from Jules perspective – she was once part of the privileged group but now abhors it. We also see it from Jamie’s perspective who has landed smack bang into that world and doesn’t fit in.
The toxicity of this environment drips from every page and makes you genuinely uncomfortable. It is a book that should be read and shared as much as possible.
Tradition by Brendan Kiely is available now.
With a dual narrative, we see what life at Fullbook is like from Jules perspective – she was once part of the privileged group but now abhors it. We also see it from Jamie’s perspective who has landed smack bang into that world and doesn’t fit in.
The toxicity of this environment drips from every page and makes you genuinely uncomfortable. It is a book that should be read and shared as much as possible.
Tradition by Brendan Kiely is available now.
sharanya's review against another edition
3.0
Oof, this is a heavy read. Kiely tackles sexism, classism, & the importance of creating a culture of consent. He doesn’t shy away from confronting the “norms” that create a harmful environment for marginalized people & especially women. The characters were engaging, especially Bax, a teddy bear you just want to hug. Jules’s struggles were described believably, without over-emphasis or romanticization. A strong rendering of an important issue. ★★★½.
stephbookshine's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley, with thanks to the author and publishers. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Tradition explores some very serious and timely issues around rape culture and the different treatment afforded to girls in the education system in this specific context. In the current media storm around #MeToo and the repeated appearance of the girl-sent home-from-school-due-to-clothing story, this book forms part of the important conversations that we need to have about what we teach our children about their value and place in society.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints from two main protagonists, one male and one female, one new to the school and one all-too-familiar with its traditions. This dual perspective allows the author to layer explore different perspectives, but ultimately both main characters share the same values, they just have different experiences of male privilege and female oppression.
That Brendan Kiely takes the issues he is exploring seriously is not in any question, as he maintains a sombre, almost menacing tone throughout the story which steeps the reader in anxious tension from the first page.
This strength is also something of a flaw in the story however, as combined with the dark tone, the emotional tension of the two main characters starts high and builds quickly. Jules in particular is distraught, almost-frantic, over health flyers and tampon protests from our first introduction to her. This effectively emphasises the looming sexual threat that fills the corridors at Fullbrook Academy, and shows that the main characters are aware and affected by this traditional old-boys atmosphere. It also leaves the author nowhere to take the characters emotionally by the time the crisis event occurs.
Jamie, or Bax, is also tightly wound, but this can be attributed to the secret trauma in his recent past, but Jules seems traumatised before The Event (and evidently rightly so – the atmosphere is undoubtably toxic) and therefore during and after the turning point of the plot her reactions can only slightly escalate and the reader is almost desensitised to the dramatic tone by the finale, which I am certain is not the effect the author intended.
I did really like the character development and relationship building, especially those between Jules and Javi, Javi and Max, Bax and Aileen, Javi and Bax. I especially liked that friendships once formed had to be maintained and worked on. Likewise the ending felt realistic and proportionate, with no huge events but a small pebble of change that may eventually gather an avalanche.
Overall this is a serious and thought-provoking book, with little action but a lot of emotional weight.
Way up in the sky the man in the moon has something like sad eyes, as if his pale face gazes down with pity, as if he wishes something better for us, or maybe wishes we ourselves were the ones who were better. I’m sure I’m sober, not drunk, just going a little crazy to think like that, but I think it anyway, because I feel that way. Sad. Like this whole stupid paradise, this very good school, is nothing but a fancy promise, a broken one, a big lie. And worse, that I’m actually a part of it.
– Brendan Kiely, Tradition
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/tradition-brendan-kiely/
Tradition explores some very serious and timely issues around rape culture and the different treatment afforded to girls in the education system in this specific context. In the current media storm around #MeToo and the repeated appearance of the girl-sent home-from-school-due-to-clothing story, this book forms part of the important conversations that we need to have about what we teach our children about their value and place in society.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints from two main protagonists, one male and one female, one new to the school and one all-too-familiar with its traditions. This dual perspective allows the author to layer explore different perspectives, but ultimately both main characters share the same values, they just have different experiences of male privilege and female oppression.
That Brendan Kiely takes the issues he is exploring seriously is not in any question, as he maintains a sombre, almost menacing tone throughout the story which steeps the reader in anxious tension from the first page.
This strength is also something of a flaw in the story however, as combined with the dark tone, the emotional tension of the two main characters starts high and builds quickly. Jules in particular is distraught, almost-frantic, over health flyers and tampon protests from our first introduction to her. This effectively emphasises the looming sexual threat that fills the corridors at Fullbrook Academy, and shows that the main characters are aware and affected by this traditional old-boys atmosphere. It also leaves the author nowhere to take the characters emotionally by the time the crisis event occurs.
Jamie, or Bax, is also tightly wound, but this can be attributed to the secret trauma in his recent past, but Jules seems traumatised before The Event (and evidently rightly so – the atmosphere is undoubtably toxic) and therefore during and after the turning point of the plot her reactions can only slightly escalate and the reader is almost desensitised to the dramatic tone by the finale, which I am certain is not the effect the author intended.
I did really like the character development and relationship building, especially those between Jules and Javi, Javi and Max, Bax and Aileen, Javi and Bax. I especially liked that friendships once formed had to be maintained and worked on. Likewise the ending felt realistic and proportionate, with no huge events but a small pebble of change that may eventually gather an avalanche.
Overall this is a serious and thought-provoking book, with little action but a lot of emotional weight.
Way up in the sky the man in the moon has something like sad eyes, as if his pale face gazes down with pity, as if he wishes something better for us, or maybe wishes we ourselves were the ones who were better. I’m sure I’m sober, not drunk, just going a little crazy to think like that, but I think it anyway, because I feel that way. Sad. Like this whole stupid paradise, this very good school, is nothing but a fancy promise, a broken one, a big lie. And worse, that I’m actually a part of it.
– Brendan Kiely, Tradition
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/tradition-brendan-kiely/
sydmae's review against another edition
4.0
There was a lot to like about this book.
1. We have a male athlete in this book (not uncommon), but his primary conflicts are not really about his sport performance (less common). His athletics play a role in but do not dictate his identity. In fact, he does not always like who he is as an athlete.
2. Sexual assault is not always "rape" using the old school sex-ed definition of the word. The man's penis does not have to be out. Clothes do not need to be removed. It is often someone you know.
3. The support happens, but it is not immediate because of the reasons in #2. It is hard for us as humans to wrap our heads around this at times.
4. Friendship! Reputations! Figuring out how to navigate those things!
Sometimes things were a bit too clean-cut right and wrong for me, but again, this is a fairly nuanced approach to these topics for teenagers.
1. We have a male athlete in this book (not uncommon), but his primary conflicts are not really about his sport performance (less common). His athletics play a role in but do not dictate his identity. In fact, he does not always like who he is as an athlete.
2. Sexual assault is not always "rape" using the old school sex-ed definition of the word. The man's penis does not have to be out. Clothes do not need to be removed. It is often someone you know.
3. The support happens, but it is not immediate because of the reasons in #2. It is hard for us as humans to wrap our heads around this at times.
4. Friendship! Reputations! Figuring out how to navigate those things!
Sometimes things were a bit too clean-cut right and wrong for me, but again, this is a fairly nuanced approach to these topics for teenagers.
beautifullybookishbethany's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why more people aren't talking about this book! Tradition is brilliantly written look at toxic masculinity, rape culture, and privilege, set at an exclusive boarding school. The author demonstrates perfectly how men can be allies of women AND how straight men can support gay men in a positive way. He brings a much needed perspective to these critical issues of the day.
This book is a dual perspective narrative set at Fullbrook Academy, a place where tradition institutionalizes rape culture and toxic forms of masculinity.
- Jules is a senior at Fullbrook who is shunned for being an outspoken feminist and being "crazy" after breaking up with her popular boyfriend the previous year. (Can we talk about how this narrative demonstrates women being minimized and made to feel crazy for speaking up against injustice and sexist behavior? Because it's a real thing, and we definitely see that here.)
- Jamie is a new scholarship student recruited to play hockey. Because of his massive size and involvement in sports, he has been pushed into damaging masculine behaviors, but beneath the surface he wants to listen and genuinely cares about what is right.
There is also a gay side character who experiences bullying and judgement for his sexual orientation. The author deftly handles his story in a way that is illuminating and empowering.
At times difficult to read, this is a hard-hitting story that is everything we need right now. Be aware that there are scenes of sexual assault and discussion of past sexual assault. And the way it is done effectively demonstrates that what counts as rape is not one-dimensional. Overall, I loved this and definitely recommend it.
This book is a dual perspective narrative set at Fullbrook Academy, a place where tradition institutionalizes rape culture and toxic forms of masculinity.
- Jules is a senior at Fullbrook who is shunned for being an outspoken feminist and being "crazy" after breaking up with her popular boyfriend the previous year. (Can we talk about how this narrative demonstrates women being minimized and made to feel crazy for speaking up against injustice and sexist behavior? Because it's a real thing, and we definitely see that here.)
- Jamie is a new scholarship student recruited to play hockey. Because of his massive size and involvement in sports, he has been pushed into damaging masculine behaviors, but beneath the surface he wants to listen and genuinely cares about what is right.
There is also a gay side character who experiences bullying and judgement for his sexual orientation. The author deftly handles his story in a way that is illuminating and empowering.
At times difficult to read, this is a hard-hitting story that is everything we need right now. Be aware that there are scenes of sexual assault and discussion of past sexual assault. And the way it is done effectively demonstrates that what counts as rape is not one-dimensional. Overall, I loved this and definitely recommend it.
jamiereadies's review against another edition
5.0
Gonna be honest, I was nervous about reading a story about sexual assault written by a man. What does that say?
Anyway, I thought this story tackled a lot of really big topics in an accessible and true way. Jules felt totally real to me, I have friends similar to her (but maybe dialed down a bit). And the addition of Bax, who is not only a large dude (which, surprisingly, I don’t see a lot) but is also fed up with sports was refreshing.
Be warned, this book is very heavy, but if you’re anything like me, the payoff is worth it.
Anyway, I thought this story tackled a lot of really big topics in an accessible and true way. Jules felt totally real to me, I have friends similar to her (but maybe dialed down a bit). And the addition of Bax, who is not only a large dude (which, surprisingly, I don’t see a lot) but is also fed up with sports was refreshing.
Be warned, this book is very heavy, but if you’re anything like me, the payoff is worth it.
taralorraine's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this story, and when I finished it yesterday I gave it four stars. Then, later that afternoon, at the end of an assembly at school it was announced that “Could the high school boys please help pick up chairs.” On top of this a few teachers went around encouraging young men to go help, passing right by the capable young ladies right next to them. I watched this for a minute, not a single girl was helping. Why should they? No one asked them to. No one, apparently, expected them to. In that moment I thought of this book- and although this was a much smaller scale issue, it’s still an issue. So I walked over and grabbed a couple of chairs. (Almost instantly a nice young man offered to take them from me and I politely declined.) I don’t know if anyone saw or cared, but maybe someone did, maybe some girl saw that it wasn’t just a guy thing. But, either way, no matter how small, I did something.
lisa_rwrmusings's review against another edition
5.0
Although the book was a bit slow to start, it is a powerful read that explores rape culture at a boarding school. I think Kiely took his time to research and explore the view points and lifestyles of the characters in his book, which are so different from his own. A book that makes you think!