Tolog Review: Boy Toy

Boy Toy
by Barry Lyga
reviewed by Ivana Alejo

In Barry Lyga’s fictional novel, Boy Toy, readers are taken on a journey of self-exploration, heartbreak, redemption, and love. It leaves it audience anxious, and hanging on to every word, all while feeling uneasy and disturbed. Lyga chooses to show people the horrors that can come from trusting someone with everything you are, but still finding the wonders and beauty when you do this as well.

From start to end, Boy Toy leaves its audiences ready to dive into the life of young protagonist, Josh Mendel. Josh had a very normal, and very pleasant life up until about the seventh grade when he had a new teacher, who showed a particular interest in him. They began to become closer and closer, until eventually the inevitable happened. Readers are taken through Josh’s five year recovery as he finds his way back to the person he was before. Josh must discover who he is all over again, deal with his insecurities around women, and find a way to be comfortable trusting others. With everything going on in his personal life, you would think that Josh would be struggling in school, or maybe even in after school extracurriculars. Well, think again. Josh hasn’t gotten less than an A grade on any assignment since the sixth grade. “Why?” would be a reasonable question to ask, and the reason is made very clear as the audience gets to know the main character of this book. Lyga allows his followers to explore deep into the mind of Josh, allowing you to feel, think, and ultimately grow with him. The novel Boy Toy, is a poignant book on a subject that is uncomfortable for most to talk about, and that is exactly what is should be. Readers can see how nothing about the “relationship” this book is easy or understandable to anyone, but will still be able to identify with Josh in their own interpretations.

Boy Toy sets it’s consumers up for a whirlwind of emotions. From scared and despondent for what might happen to the characters in the future, to proud and joyful when these giant obstacles are overcome. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking to see someone explore themselves fully and wholeheartedly, and are welcome to being emotionally changed after reading it. This book has truly become one of my favorite reads of all time, especially because it is so relatable, in a completely new and undiscovered way to many people, including myself.