2023 REREAD: From 2018 to 2023; now I guess I couldn't handle all the OTT chaos, and some characters who are literally the worst monsters ever ever. Plus there is no real plot, and a lot of filler, meandering and will-they-won't-they dragging crap. I can't believe how much I don't remember from the first read. Events are far worse than I would have dared imagined.
These poor kids.
'The Brightsiders' is a very dark, cynical and contemptuous book; a complete contrast to the author's other, more optimistic and lighthearted works like 'Queens of Geek' and 'Going Off Script'. Though I suppose the point is to be honest and show the dark, horrible, toxic, nasty side to rock stardom - music stardom, and teen stardom in general especially. Even if it is extreme, cartoony (though sadly still realistic), and overwhelming.
'The Brightsiders' deserves huge points for its diversity rep, however. And all its relevant social commentary, and spotlighting the many prices of fame.
I adore 'Queens of Geek' and 'Going Off Script'. Not this one anymore, I'm afraid. It's too much for sensitive old me. One thing I adore about it is the purple lipstick (and the cover) - that hasn't changed.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
This is a riot of a book. Nearly all of the characters are a chaotic mess.
And I love it.
'The Brightsiders' is about teen rock stardom and the various, devastating prices that come with fame. The pressure is unimaginably heavier on seventeen-year-olds who became famous too early, too fast, and unlike ordinary teenagers, their mistakes and responsibilities are viewed and judged on a global scale. There is no privacy in the digital, smartphone, internet age. Doesn't matter what these rockstar kids do, or what their only female band member does, everything is turned into a scandal. Schadenfreude is alive and well. The paparazzi and TMZ are soulless, bloodthirsty vultures.
Honestly, I admire Emmy King for going through so much bullshit throughout this book, and coming back from it all alive. Amid the horrible, toxic people in her life, there are also a lot of supportive, caring and just dang awesome people who can be called her friends. Her friends show her good times, give up their own time and money for her, give her a safe home away from abuse and scandal, let her take breaks, and generally try to help her.
By the end, Emmy, after all her repeated mistakes, does go to the effort of changing herself; sticking to it and what makes her happy. And meaning it.
She realises her own faults, as well as the faults of people, relationships and influences that are bad for her, and she wants to get better. She receives professional help.
But who knows where she, as someone still so young, still finding herself, would have ended up if she hadn't had her friends standing by her along the journey.
This is what friendship is. 'The Brightsiders' shows young adults what truly constitutes friendship, and people being decent and nice to others. Romance doesn't have to factor into it. In our cynical, toxic, effed-up world, the bright spots are much needed and appreciated.
I wanted to read 'The Brightsiders' because I really enjoyed Jen Wilde's previous book, 'Queens of Geek', and I'd heard of the great diversity rep for a YA novel. It has mixed reviews, but I wanted to read it for myself and come to my own conclusions.
It is very emotional and well-written. Addictive, short and sweet at under 300 pages. It is both feel-good, cute, warm and fuzzy, and a reminder that humans are generally fucking nasty. It is complicated and, as stated at the beginning of this review, chaotic, but so is life. Especially the life of a teen punk rock band member. A teen girl punk rock band member.
Emmy King plays the drums, writes songs, wants to sing in the lead someday, wears all kinds of colours of lipsticks and wigs and dyes, wears whatever she wants, likes to party, likes to be the center of attention, likes to help and inspire people, and is overall in the spotlight of not caring what others think of her. Or she tries not to. Being famous has challenged that stratospherically.
Emmy is also bi - and she comes out to her fans during a Pride concert. It is a very touching scene, and she does love her fans, most of whom are lovely people who support her almost as much as her closest friends.
Bi and female - the social media and news networks will have a field day with that. The tabloids already saw her as a piece of meat and train wreck magnet before. Not to mention there is her eventually breaking up with her abusive girlfriend, and she's starting to have feelings for a friend who uses male pronouns. Biphobia and slut-shaming are a few of the many themes used to point out what makes people good and bad in 'The Brightsiders'.
Emmy is only seventeen. Remind yourself of that while you read this book.
Even if she is the girl in the purple lipstick, and you don't mess with the girl in the purple lipstick.
Give her further positivity in her life, and no doubt she would make a cool and amazing friend.
Her love interest is her fellow bandmate Alfie Jones, who is genderqueer and uses male pronouns, is pansexual, and has social anxiety disorder. Their developing relationship from childhood best friends to friends with benefits to lovers is a slow burn. It's realistic, poignant and beautiful. Emmy's other bandmate, Ryan Cho, is Korean-American and also bisexual. That a band this diverse can reach fame that would win them Grammy awards is absolutely brilliant. The real world should take note.
Emmy's best friend, Chloe, who is also a famous artist, originating as an interviewer for trans and nonbinary people on YouTube, is black/mixed-race, nonbinary, and uses they/them pronouns. They are the best friend in all of existence; a warm cinnamon cake in a world so very full of it. They support Emmy through everything, telling her what's what, and how they can help her out. Chloe is tough and smart; having been through the wars of online and media abuse and survived it stronger than ever, they represent Emmy's next, improved stage in self-care and happiness. They are not a token inspiration, just a person living life to the full, on their own terms, letting no one bring them down for who they are.
There are many other characters in 'The Brightsiders', good and bad and in-between and complex, but I feel that Emmy and her posse are worth mentioning by how wonderful they are: as people and for amazing diverse inclusion. The main characters from 'Queens of Geek' also cameo here. Charlie and Alyssa are among Emmy's group of famous supportive friends, and they are absolutely adorable together; a brilliant couple (even Emmy thinks they're swoon-worthy).
Oh, and Emmy's parents are the worst creatures in the entire universe whose graves won't be worth pissing on. Against their wishes, they'll receive no more attention than that in my review. They deserve nothing.
'The Brightsiders', as funny, adorable and lovely as parts of it are, contains heavy subject matters and issues vital to talk about in this day and age. Alcoholism, plus various forms of abuse, but most notably gaslighting, are discussed. How gaslighting and emotional manipulation are handled is harrowing and realistic, and I am so glad that Emmy manages to rise above it, having been a victim all her life. Fame and fortune have changed nothing about that. People who make you feel negative, unequal, worthless, unlovable, and unsure of yourself - people who make you hate yourself - should not be involved in your life: everybody needs to know this.
Dealing with prejudice such as misogyny, sexism, racism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, mental illness stigma, and really anything considered different, are included.
'The Brightsiders' is like 'Queens of Geek' with punk rock stars and music fandom, but darker.
Speaking of music, that aspect of the novel is neither sidelined, underused, nor an afterthought. The songs written by the band are nice, starry and enchanting without being too cheesy or Disney-esque. They are mainly about being queer, and are written for the band's young and queer fanbase. I could see them topping the charts and winning awards. Singing and making deep, personal music as a way to express one's emotions, troubles and sufferings is one of the human race's many worthwhile perks.
In conclusion, I don't get why 'The Brightsiders' isn't rated higher than it is. It can be messy and melodramatic, but I think that's the point. Teen rock star girl protagonist, remember? Going through so much, publicly and privately. Some moments are hard gut punchers, and others are extremely anger-inducing to read about. But even then, the main themes of friendship, support and seeking help when needed shine strongest of all. Breakdowns galore, yet towards the very end there is a positive, tearful, heartfelt message. It contains great, well-written passages and quotes that will resonate with young people today.
There is hope in the shitstorm.
The last ten pages are a little rushed, quickly wrapped-up, and too-good-to-be-true, but I enjoyed the hell out of the whole thing. It is a reminder for me to be more comfortable with myself; to be myself; and to put on purple lipstick!
Inspiration, thy name is 'The Brightsiders'.
I can't wait to read Jen Wilde's future publications. She is a diversity, social media and fandom YA writer to look out for.
Final Score: 4/5
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