While the eGalley version of this book was unreadably formatted, I did end up getting myself a physical copy of this book. I don’t know that I would have cottoned on to the fact that the central action of this book is the work of just a handful of hours, but I was impressed at Porter’s ability to create a full character out of this disparate collection of storytelling sketches.

I live stream of consciousness stories and this one was made better by almost poetic writing. I was expecting a more climatic ending but that’s not always life, right?

In Max Porter’s style of free verse, prose, and interjected dialogue, Shy takes us on a winding journey through his complicated thoughts. The narrative is winding in a way familiar to anyone who experiences thought spirals and perfectly seats the reader in the mind of our titular character. Porter gives you the perspective of a teenage boy just trying to understand himself and the raging emotions inside of himself. Obviously men are not socialized to explore these feelings, so Shy is often confused and frustrated. This isn't a book with the answers to this problem, other than compassion and empathy.

Let me just tell ya; I screamed when this lil bitty came in the mail!

I am so thankful to Max Porter and Graywolf Press for sending this advanced reader copy before it's projected to publish on May 2, 2023. Though Shy is only 121 pages long, this coming-of-age novel is sure to pack a punch right where it hurts most.

Shy tells the story of a teenage boy named Shy, who is struggling in life, and the voices in his head aren't helping too much. After a tumultuous fallout with his mother, stepdad, and literally everyone in his life, he's sent off to a home for "disturbed young men" to work through the demons/mental illnesses plaguing his every thought, word, and action.

Pack the tissues because this is a wild-ride through the inner-workings of a post-pubescent teen who's just trying to find his way and not get beat up in the process.