A Million Quiet Revolutions – Robin Gow
100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: Oliver and Aaron have shared many firsts during their years long friendship, including coming out and falling in love. When circumstances force them apart, they find comfort and inspiration in the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers that may have been trans men.
Expectation: I expected a light story about celebrating the future while acknowledging the past.
Reality: A moving portrayal of the transgender experience, but the book-in-verse format didn’t translate well as an audiobook.
Recommended For: Fans of book-in-verse and realistic portrayals of the transgender experience
Why I Read It: This isn’t the type of book that usually is on my radar, but I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of the audiobook in exchange for a book feature on my Instagram account.
My Take:
“A Million Quiet Revolutions,” is a queer YA romance with historical fiction elements told in verse. This may sound like a distractingly complex story, but it is actually a really simple one about two small town trans men navigating identity, coming out and first love.
Kudos to Robin Gow for writing a deeply affecting and personal story. There were elements of the transgender experience I’ve never seen discussed in such a frank manner. Obsession with war reenactments aside, this felt like a real portrayal of trans teens and one that I hope helps them feel seen.
There were three things I really loved:
The writing is gorgeous and pure. Told through letters and texts primarily, it allows our characters, Oliver and Aaron, an opportunity to pour their hearts out to one another in a way that teenage dialogue doesn’t usually allow.
We get two different coming out experiences that both felt organic. Oliver is a history buff raised in a supportive Jewish household. When he comes out, both his mother and father quickly accept his gender transition and offer multifaceted support. Aaron, a Puerto Rican raised in a staunchly Catholic household, is not so lucky. His parents still use his deadname and frequently bring up clothing, make-up and other situations that ignore his truth.
It celebrates forgotten history. When a situation outside of their control pulls them from one another at a time when they need each other the most, it’s the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers that may have been trans men that keeps them bonded even when texts and letters become less frequent due to new schools, college admissions and family commitments.
The story builds to a reconnection, and when Oliver and Aaron finally meet again the love between them is palpable. I didn’t leave the story thinking they would be together forever — a reality of first loves — still, Gow provides a positive, honest and hopeful message for trans teens about life, love and the pursuit of happiness.
Okay, now to the tough part. My enjoyment of the story was hindered by the format. Specifically, the book-in-verse as an audiobook. Even with two narrators — Salem Corwin (Oliver) and Kaden Catalina (Aaron) — I spent the first 25 percent confused as to who was whom and what was happening.
Once they adopted the Oliver and Aaron names, it was easier to follow along, but not all of the epistolary elements made for riveting reading. The production added a few audio cues to help the listener understand who was talking during a text conversation, but it often pulled me out of the story.
This really isn’t a fault of the narrators, really the structure of the book itself. I never attempted a book-in-verse in audio before, and I can’t say I will again. Even with the shortcomings of the format, it’s clear that Gow is an author to watch.
Note: I was offered a free copy of the audiobook from Orange Sky Audio and TLC Book Tours as part of a virtual book tour celebrating the publication of “A Million Quiet Revolutions.” This exchange of goods has not influenced my review.
Rating (story): 3.5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3/5 stars
Formats: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: June 23 – June 27, 2022
Multi-tasking: Okay. The story is easy to follow, but the format doesn’t necessarily lend itself to the audiobook format.
