Review: Spelregels by Floortje Zwigtman

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Title: Spelregels
Author: Floortje Zwigtman
Genre: Historical novel for young teens
Publisher: De Fontein
Pages: 158
Language: Dutch (it has been translated into German (Wie Sonne Und Mond), but it's not available in English, yet.
Rating: 6/10

Synopsis Set in the middleages, it's the story of Allard and Marjorie, who are arranged to be married when they're teens. They don't know each other and they both have a hard time dealing with this new life. Marjorie comes to live with Allard and his parents and has to learn how to be a lady. When Allard's father leaves to fight in the war, Allard has to be the man of the house, but he barely knows how to act like a man. The story of their marriage is told by both of them.

I bought this book because I had been overwhelmed by the first two parts of Floortje Zwigtman's Green Flower trilogy. I figured I would love all her stories, but this was a difficult one to like.
( I have to spoil a little to explain )

Therefore the relatively low rating is based on my personal feelings and not so much on the worth of the book for the intended audience.

Q: has anyone here written a review of The Green Flower trilogy or maybe mentioned (one of) the books in their own journal? I would love to read it! PLUS: I want to get as many people as possible ready for the release of part three in november. I plan to reread the previous books before that. If anyone wants to join me for synchronized squeeing, let me know;)

Bookbabble: In The Absence Of Men vs. Geography Club

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Sometimes I notice similarities between certain books on my list. That's when I don't do a proper review, but rather choose to discuss them in relation to each other. I try to compare the times and culture in which they were created and the intent of the author.
Both these titles were recommended (given or lend) to me by different people. (Thank you kennedy_unknown and Jelle. You know the one you made me read:)

In common: both books are about a 16 year old boy discovering his love for men. And both books are written from the first-person narrative.
The big difference: one story is situated in 1916 in France during WW I, the other in modern day USA. Guess which teen has more problems.

Synopses are partly stolen from Amazon-customers.

Title: En l'absence des hommes
Author: Philippe Besson
Genre: Fiction, gay-interest
Publisher: Editions Julliard
Pages: Paperback 176
Language: French. Read in Dutch. (Available in English: In The Absence Of Men)
Rating: 9/10

Synopsis It is 1916. Sixteen year old Vincent is aristocratic and privileged, frequenting the salons of Paris while France is at war. In that brutal summer, Vincent attracts two men: Marcel, some thirty years his senior, a celebrated writer; and Arthur, the twenty-one year old son of one of the servants, who is now a soldier at the front. Both relationships become love affairs of a kind - of the mind or of the body.

Title: Geography Club
Author: Brent Hartinger
Genre: Teen fiction, gay-interest
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: Paperback 226
Language: English
Rating: 6/10

Synopsis Russel is pretty sure that he's gay, but convinced he's the only one at his school. But while he's surfing a gay-teen chat room he meets a boy who not only lives in his town, but also attends his high school! They decide to meet but because of the apparent disapproval of other students (and teachers..) there's no way for them to be together inside school walls. So along with a few close friends the boys form The Geography Club. After all, no one else is going to want to join such a boring club--especially if they knew it was just a front for a gay/lesbian school group.

( So how do these books compare? Beware of -mild- spoilers! )

Depending on what mood you go for, you can pick the one you prefer. I know the guy I'd rather spend my time with.