‘Invisible Boys’ is the queer ‘Looking for Alibrandi’ I needed as a teenager.

After watching the trailer for the upcoming Australian queer TV series Invisible Boys, I felt intrigued by the novel that inspired it. While I may be considered old-fashioned, I’ve always preferred reading the book before watching the adaptation.

A quick Google search revealed that Invisible Boys by Western Australian author Holden Sheppard has garnered critical acclaim, winning several awards and being named a Notable Book by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Surprisingly, I hadn’t come across it until now.

I devoured this novel within 24 hours. Had I not impulsively started reading it on Kindle at 1 am, I likely would’ve finished it in one sitting. Sleep forced me to pause at 4 am. Still, after a quick trip to the barber the following morning, I spent the rest of the day utterly engrossed, captivated by Sheppard’s writing.

The novel follows the lives of three teenage boys in the coastal town of Geraldton, Western Australia. Charlie, the rebellious “punk rocker,” finds himself publicly vilified after an encounter with an older, married man. Zeke, an overachieving boy from a strict Catholic Sicilian family, struggles with being an abomination parents’ eyes. And Hammer, a popular football jock, embarks on a quest to lose his virginity to a girl, only to confront unexpected consequences.

Charlie’s public trials serve as a harsh warning to the other boys about the dangers of being openly gay in a town like Geraldton that renders their true selves invisible. Despite this, the three boys form an unlikely bond, finding solace and support in one another as they navigate their journeys of self-discovery.

From beginning to end, Invisible Boys is an emotional rollercoaster ride. It made me laugh, want to scream out of anger, and, at one point, ugly cry. But what lingers most is the bittersweet hope woven throughout the story.

These days, I rarely gravitate toward queer stories centred on coming out or self-acceptance, as that period in my life does feel years behind me. However, Sheppard’s novel reminded me that these stories are vital just as ever while offering a chance to reflect on my own journey. Invisible Boys is the queer version of Looking For Alibrandi that I desperately needed as a teenager. If you know what I mean.

This novel deserves every bit of its acclaim, and I highly recommend reading it before watching the TV adaptation. Trust me, the less you know going in, the better the experience.

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