''The World of Normal Boys'', published in 2001, is the debut novel of

K.M. Soehnlein K.M. (Karl) Soehnlein (born November 24, 1965) is the American author of the novels ''The World of Normal Boys'' (2000), a 1970s coming-of-age story that won the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Men’s Fiction; ''You Can Say You Knew Me When'' (2005 ...

(Karl Soehnlein). The coming-of-age story centers on 13-year-old Robin MacKenzie, who discovers that he is unlike most other adolescent males. The book became a '' San Francisco Chronicle'' bestseller and won the Lambda Literary Award.

Plot

The book is written in the present tense. It's 1978, New Jersey: ''

Saturday Night Fever ''Saturday Night Fever'' is a 1977 American dance drama film directed by John Badham and produced by Robert Stigwood. It stars John Travolta as Tony Manero, a young Italian-American man from the Brooklyn borough of New York. Manero spends his ...

'' and '' Grease'' are big. 13-year-old Robin MacKenzie is caught in a triangular relationship with next-door neighbor Todd Spicer and classmate Scott Schatz. Robin develops a fascination for 17-year-old neighbor Todd who, despite often teasing him, initiates a sexual relationship with the younger boy, whom Todd invites to a party after which they go swimming on a golf course. Robin further forms a close bond with fellow

freshman A freshman, fresher, first year, or frosh, is a person in the first year at an educational institution, usually a secondary school or at the college and university level, but also in other forms of post-secondary educational institutions. Ara ...

Scott Schatz, whose father is

physically abusive Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person or animal by way of bodily contact. In most cases, children are the victims of physical abuse, but adults can also be victims, as in cases of domestic violence or wor ...

. Robin learns that, two years earlier, Todd and Scott were involved in a sexual relationship. Robin is troubled by this, but his relationship with Scott is ultimately unaffected. During the novel, Robin's younger brother Jackson dies some time after falling from a slide and breaking his neck, an incident Robin blames himself for although it isn't anyone's fault. As a result, Robin's family begins to break down: his father becomes violent towards Robin, and Robin's longstanding bond with his mother begins to be affected. His younger sister Ruby becomes religious and also closer to Robin.

Characters

Main

;MacKenzie * Robin MacKenzie – A 13-year-old boy, just entering high school, coming to terms with his sexuality and a terrifying accident involving his brother. * Jackson MacKenzie – Robin's adventurous 11-year-old younger brother who falls from a slide, an incident that puts the family in turmoil * Ruby MacKenzie – Robin's 12-year-old sister, after the accident, she becomes religious and closer to Robin as he protects her from their bullying cousin, Larry * Dorothy McKenzie – Robin, Ruby, and Jackson's mom; she takes Robin on "City Days" where they spend a day in New York City * Clark McKenzie – Robin, Ruby, and Jackson's dad; he tries to spend time with Robin, although Robin would rather do so with his mother, so Clark spends his time with Jackson; he has what is probably the hardest time with Jackson's accident * Larry – Robin, Ruby, and Jackson's oafish cousin, who loves teasing Ruby and provoking Robin * Corinne – Robin, Ruby, and Jackson's kindly aunt; Stan's wife, whom he regularly verbally abuses, and Larry's mom * Stan – Robin, Ruby, and Jackson's loud and obnoxious uncle; Larry's dad; he inadvertently gets Dorothy drunk at a

Super Bowl The Super Bowl is the annual final playoff game of the National Football League (NFL) to determine the league champion. It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966, replacing the NFL Championship Game. Since 2022, the game ...

party ;Spicer * Todd Spicer – Robin's 17-year-old next-door neighbor and Victoria's older brother * Victoria Spicer – Todd's cute younger sister, whom Robin shares a friendship. The two share a love of '' Grease'', ''

'', and '' Mork and Mindy'' * Mr. Spicer – Todd and Victoria's dad; unseen character who, as Victoria once said, "beat the shit out of Todd" when Todd wanted to quit school * Mrs. Spicer – Todd and Victoria's mom; also unseen, but known to be picky about cleanliness ;Schatz * Scott Schatz – One of Robin's classmates whom Robin becomes infatuated with * Daniel Schatz – Scott's late brother, whose death he blames on himself * Mr. Schatz – Scott's dad,

abusive Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of a thing, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices, crimes, or other t ...

towards Scott * Mrs. Schatz – Scott's mom, who is living in a mental institution

Supporting

* Mr. Cortez – The school

guidance counselor A school counselor is a professional who works in primary (elementary and middle) schools or secondary schools to provide academic, career, college access/affordability/admission, and social-emotional competencies to all students through a school ...

* Billy Danniman – One of Robin and Scott's classmates. Regularly bullies Robin. Has the nickname "Long Dong" Danniman * Seth Carter – Another of Robin and Scott's classmates; a friend of Danniman * Ethan – One of Todd's friends * Tully – Another of Todd's friends * Debbie Staley – A girl whom is rumored that Todd has

impregnated Fertilisation or fertilization (see spelling differences), also known as generative fertilisation, syngamy and impregnation, is the fusion of gametes to give rise to a new individual organism or offspring and initiate its development. Proce ...

References

External links

*
Karl M. Soehnlein official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:World Of Normal Boys 2001 American novels American children's novels American LGBT novels Gay male teen fiction Lambda Literary Award-winning works American young adult novels American bildungsromans Fiction set in 1978 2001 children's books 2000s LGBT novels LGBT-related young adult novels LGBT-related children's novels 2001 debut novels Kensington Books books 2001 LGBT-related literary works Children's books set in the 1970s Children's books set in New Jersey