I was worried when I started reading that this book would make me cry (I seem to run into a lot of those books) and in some ways it did. But mostly it was pretty damn amazing. The Year of Ice is a coming of age story while also being a coming out story (sort of). But it's also about love and family. The novel took a few twists I wasn't expecting, all of them adding, rather than detracting, too the book. Kevin was a strong main character and I liked his brashness mixed with his fears associated with being gay. ( )

Alex Awards (NOMINATED) 2003 Publishing Triangle Awards (NOMINATED) 2003

Colleen Mondor's Adult books for Teens February 2008

St Paul MN teen in 70s discovers foibles of parents; cold; teen voice

10.03 ( )

In The Year of Ice, Kevin Doyle gives an account of the troubled year that he turns eighteen. Kevin is a good looking boy, well built, likes to think of himself as the alpha male, he’s an average student and no angel who’s quite capable of getting into trouble; a likeable and popular lad with both his peers and adults. However he has a problem, he likes guys in the way other guys like girls and has a crush on a fellow student, the beautiful Jon Thompson. Kevin is not sure if Jon likes guys or girls; but he lives in hope and in the mean time makes do with an imaginary Jon Thompson in the form of his pillow and with which he converses each night as he goes to bed.
Kevin lives with his dysfunctional father Pat; his mother was killed in a car accident two years ago. His good looking father is now vigorously pursed by all the neighbourhood widows. Pat had an affair with divorcee Carol Gunderson who’s niece Laurie Lindstrom has a crush on Kevin. Kevin’s bombastic Aunt Nora, his mother’s sister, thinks Pat is a waste of space; she wants Kevin to live with her.
Kevin has a girl friend, Allison; it’s a good camouflage for someone who likes guys. He has two good friends: his best friend the near delinquent Tommy, and Rick Foley.
Kevin thinks he is the only guy in the world who likes other guys that is apart from his English teacher Mr Hayes (nickname Fey Hayes, addressed by Kevin as Miss TerHaze).
Although naïve when it comes to what two guys who like each other do together, Kevin dreams of what it would be like to run his hands over another guy’s body. When he meets Chuck, a twenty two year old student, he gets his hopes up, but much as Chuck likes Kevin, he is straight. However Chuck’s unflinching acceptance of Kevin’s sexuality gives him hope.
Kevin narrates the year’s events frankly, holding nothing back. He tells the story with great and at times cutting wit and immense humour. The characters come over as vivid and believable, but it is Kevin who is the real star; thoroughly likeable, honest and loyal, capable of losing it at times when provoked, but large hearted and true to himself.
Brian Molloy’s book is a real gem, extremely funny even when dealing with heartbreaking events; it is an absolute joy to read. ( )