The Outrage

The book is set in a future England (only a little into the future) where an extremist, authoritarian government is in charge, policing speech, writing, gender roles and relationships – anyone could be a target of the next police inspection. Gabriel just wants to be free to love Eric (whose father is in charge of ‘Degenerate Investigations’, and who has secrets of his own), to share films with his friends and one day to make his own films, expressing himself honestly – but instead he risks prison, torture and disgrace if even suspected. His only chance is to escape – if he can.

This was a powerful and disturbing read, but it drew me on because I had to find out what would happen to Gabe, Albie (who has a different name by the end, but I don’t want to spoil it) and Eric (even while I dreaded what that might be). It feels more relevant than ever given recent events both here and elsewhere in the world, and writing this review after the US election just reinforces that even more than when I first picked up the book a few weeks ago. I hope it remains fiction...

I would definitely recommend it. It was amazing!!!!!!

This title is nominated for the Bristol Teen Book Awards 2023. I prejudged this book by it's blurb and was skeptical about how much I would enjoy it. (Dystopian future Britain. Labelled as an LGBTQ+ Handmaids tail) It was far better than I thought it would be, much more hopeful. The story moves back and forward in time and this works well unfolding the story and developing the characters. With a tender love story at it's heart.

An amazing book on a distopian future of the UK. The author brings his own experience and messages to this book with a heart-warming narrative. I learnt a lot about attitudes and the history of LQBTQ+ through reading this book. It was full of hope despite the backdrop of right-wing rule and supression. It did not always show characters as bad or good but gave insights into why they held certain attitudes or did certain things in the story. I have previously read William Hussey's Hideous Beauty which I also enjoyed and had high expectations for his novels so I was not disappointed.

Loved this book! A dystopia that feels all too possible (think worst case Brexit outcomes around 30 years on) and a story that was at times heartbreaking and at times uplifting. Gabe, the protagonist (refreshingly) makes realistically bad choices at times but you can’t help but understand as he is led by his heart and his hope and his determination to do what is right. Recommending to everyone.

A gripping novel for 14-17 year olds set in a dystopian England, 30 years in the future. The Public Good Party is in power, ruled by The Protectorate and things have changed. Books and films from the past are banned, unless sanctioned by the government. There is no immigration. Disability and mental health difficulties are seen as weakness. It’s a crime to be LGBTQ+ and the Green Jackets punish ‘degenerate’ behaviour severely. Gabe has known that he’s gay from a very young age. The trouble starts when he falls in love.

I loved this brilliant book. It’s got some mature content so would be suitable for older or more mature teenagers. The action is very fast paced, particularly towards the end of the book. It kept me hooked right to the last page.

Scarily realistic dystopia where being gay is a crime. A story of love, hope and rebellion.

I liked the idea of a Handmaid's Tale for YA readers. I thought this was great for teacher YAs about LGBTQ+history, in a way which makes them realise how quickly things could be taken away.

I think I'd have liked more thriller elements and less of the romance, although it does add to the story.

Overall I enjoyed this book.

I think this book was recommended to me because of love dystopian fiction like The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984 and because of the Pride Theme. The concept was brilliant and the links back in time to current issues were very clever. The characters were likeable and I would definitely recommend the book.

Absolutely loved this - very much of the ilk of The Handmaid's Tale in that it was unrecognisable in its tale of 'degens' and their removal from allowable 'types' in a future society in England, yet also, just like The Handmaid's Tale, it was also very conceivable how this type of thing could very well happen in a society which allows one 'type' of person to prevail. The characters were heartbreakingly real, and the violence and hatred they endure at the hands of others was all too realistic creating real pathos in the story. An important story that I will definitely share with colleagues and students alike.

Totally gripped from the start with this one. A dystopian future which could happen, chilling. Strong characters, although I wasn't sure if it became a little cliched in its attempt at inclusion.

An utterly terrifying glimpse into the not-too-distant future, when the far right have taken control of Britain. The rules imposed mean that the freedoms we are used to now have been taken away, particularly freedoms associated with sexuality. There is some hard-hitting homophobic language thrown at the main characters, Gabe and his rebel friends, but the underlying message is clear: don't become complacent with what we've got.