2021 EDIT: Such a cute, soft comfort read, that makes the world seem brighter than it is. It is still very relatable to me, an adult. I overall love it so, that I can overlook it making references to pop culture that I hate. It's a coming-of-age book where the issues of the fat girl protagonist, Molly, do not center entirely, or majorly, on her being fat. Her anxiety medication is never made a big deal of in the slightest; it's just a part of her, as much as everything else that makes her her. Shy, awkward Molly is far funnier and wittier than she gives herself credit for. I adore her big, husky, rustic-like love interest, Reid. And the YA book is not set in school at any point. It's all understated, organic, with no forced, cheap drama, and that is excellent. AND IT'S SO FUNNY! AND ADORABLE!
Additional note: I'm almost sure it's not a coincidence that one of the few characters who are outwardly homophobic, a member of the Peskin-Suso family, is named Karen.
Final Score: 5/5
Original Review:
One of the best contemporary teen books I've ever read, hands down.
'The Upside of Unrequited' - As so many have already said, the diversity is excellent. It just plain reflects reality. The main character, Molly Peskin-Suso, is a fat seventeen-year-old girl and the story is not about that - she's fine and happy the way she is and hates it when people comment on her weight. In truth the story is about her finding hope for love in a fat-shaming world full of impossible beauty standards; she stays invisible so as to avoid the risk of getting hurt. How I related to her, and could see my painfully-shy and awkward teenage self in her.
Molly's twin sister, the prettier, confident and sociable Cassie, is a lesbian, and the two have a very close relationship that's naturally changing with the growing-up-and-finding-new-people fact of life. They were sperm donor babies, and have two mums - one white and the other black - and an adorable dark-skinned baby brother, Xavier. Cassie's girlfriend Mina is Korean-American, and pansexual.
There are A LOT of people in this book who are clearly described as not being skinny, and who wear glasses - I want to hug the adorkable, funny Reid Wertheim, he of the white sneakers, the 'Lord of the Rings' t-shirt, and crush on Queen Elizabeth I. He could be considered a Manic Pixie Dream Guy, but he's interesting enough on his own so that's not strictly the case.
If that wasn't enough, Molly and her family are Jewish. I honestly cannot recall reading about a Jewish protagonist in any book I've come across. They seem as rare, if not more so, as any group of minorities in the media (unless they're stereotypes and harmful, mean-spirited jokes, of course). This kind of visibility, written by a Jewish author, and its importance cannot be overstated enough.
Additionally: It is mentioned in passing a few times that Molly takes medicine for her anxiety.
The story of 'The Upside of Unrequited' is set in the year when same-sex marriage was made legal in all states in America, and all the excitement and happiness of that fills the pages, followed by the announcement that the mums, Patty and Nadine, will be getting married. It is so hopeful, so loving, I nearly cried. The wedding preparations plot goes along extremely well with Molly's boy problems and self-esteem teen arc.
The cameos of characters from Becky Albertalli's other book, 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' (Abby is Molly's cousin), are as fun and adorable as the rest of the book; short and sweet and natural, and not shoehorned in. And in 'Simon', the sweet fixation is on Oreos. In 'Upside', it is Cadbury mini eggs. Another similarity is the main character's parents' strict no-alcohol rule, or at least no-alcohol-exceeding-the-limit rule. Good message, overall.
Really, just read 'The Upside of Unrequited'. It's sweet, it's full of hope for everyone, and it's one of the very few genuinely laugh-out-loud books I've ever read (Molly's voice is hilarious and witty on certain points). It contains the important message that everyone, especially teenagers, needs to receive: Love yourself, don't let others get you down and tell you how to live your life. You are great the way you are, and there are people who love you for that.
I want to live in Albertalli's world full of nice, happy people from all walks of life, full of love and acceptance.
Final Score: 5/5
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