Anti-Bullying Zone Review: "Saved"

I: "Blending In"
II: "Chuckie"

Jeff Erno
Dreamspinner Press, 158 pages
August 12, 2011

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"Saved" Mini Review

"Saved" is the third short story in Jeff Erno's Bullied, and this one centers on interpretation of religion and relating that to homosexuals. The bullying, while it bothered me immensely, wasn't what stood out to me in this story. It was actually the focus on Christianity and how homosexuals are viewed in religion. How tormented followers full of faith must feel when they realize their true sexuality. It's heartbreaking and horrible to imagine how this must tear up the mind. The fact that God might not accept you or love you if you veer off the beaten path.

In "Saved" two boys named Jonathon and Curtis have been longtime best friends, since grade school. Jon hasn't fully realized Curtis's sexuality. Until they hit high school. It was painful to read on as Jon slowly distanced himself from Curtis once he started becoming popular and Curtis was accused of being gay, like it's an insult. Jon abandons his friend (much to my chagrin) and leaves him helpless in the face of his new 'friends' who act as Curtis's tormentors. I honestly felt sick to my stomach, to think of myself doing that to a friend...

And while the bullies wield the bible as a hurtful weapon against Curtis, Curtis is the one who truly portrays what the Bible is all about - love, forgiveness, respect, among other themes. Curtis is quick to forgive and forget, do his best to move on, and treasure his lost friend although Jon treated him so badly. Curtis is a kind of person I can admire, someone who I want desperately to emulate.

While the writing wasn't as appealing in this story, the story itself moved me in a different way than the previous two have. I can appreciate the execution of the message of "Saved."

(Note: I'll be reading a single short story from this book every week and reviewing it for my anti-bullying campaign! If you would like to help in any way, please feel free to fill out this form.)

Jonathon,
I'll always cherish your friendship, and I hope you have the best Christmas ever.
Love
Curtis

Anti-Bullying Zone Review: "Chuckie"

I: "Blending In"

Jeff Erno
Dreamspinner Press, 158 pages
August 12, 2011

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"Chuckie" Mini Review

Chuckie is the second short story in the book Bullied by Jeff Erno, and it is another heartwrenching one, guys. With overlying homophobic bullying is the center of the book overall, this one concentrates much more on the physical violence involved in bullying. Whereas last time, in Blending In, I felt helpless and moved to tears. This time, in Chuckie, I got angry. Really angry and hurt, and I cried frustrated tears until the ending. To find power in one's physical capabilities in overpowering another person is one of the ugliest facets of human nature. Some of these teens are so defenseless against it, and being that they don't open up about it, they get beaten up day after day, and become a big fat target every day.

Chuckie is about a teenage boy who gets tossed around and pummeled every day in the boy's locker room, for being assumed homosexual and weak. His name is actually Charles but the guys intentionally call him Chuckie, a name that he hates. The main one pounding on him, David, is one of the honcho jocks, and he takes pleasure and power out of beating him every day. It isn't until David's girlfriend, a drama star and close friend of Charles, takes a stand and asks him to look after Charles that he stops incessantly ridiculing him and hurting him. He even gets to know him a little bit.

For me, it was very hard to just forgive David, even when he redeems himself in the end by sticking up for Charles. The things that he did to Charles caused so much pain in me, I just... I found it hard to let it go. There's one tear-jerker of a scene that made me hate him until the very end of the book. For someone to take it upon themselves to punish someone with public humiliation is downright atrocious. And I admired Charles for being so brave.

The ending, I'm glad to say, left me satisfied and content. I was happy with the way things turned out for Charles. My heart warmed at the thought of him finally being safe.

(Note: I'll be reading a single short story from this book every week and reviewing it for my anti-bullying campaign! If you would like to help in any way, please feel free to fill out this form.)

...But the song's not a solo; she's singing to the male lead. I'm shocked when he turns to face the audience and begins to sing. Confidently and clearly he delivers his musical lines, and is presence on stage is commanding. I can't believe it's Chuckie.

I feel my mouth drop open, and I shake my head, somewhat bewildered...

He now doesn't seem so wimpy.

Anti-Bullying Zone Review: "Blending In"

Jeff Erno
Dreamspinner Press, 158 pages
August 12, 2011

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"Blending In"

Blending In is one of and the first of the short stories inside Bullied's pages. And it's a story that straight away got the overlying message of the book across. I was horrified by what I witnessed happening to one of the guys in the story, the kind of craptastic and hurtful things they did to that one particular character.

Blending In features Bryan Stevens, a high school junior and an in-the-closet gay male, who works very hard to stay hidden and blend in. He doesn't know what he wants in life and has a secret crush on one of the guys in his class. He can't stand Christian Michaelson, an especially flamboyant gay student, who acts feminine and outrageous and dramatic. As an introverted person, he automatically blames Christian for any of the nasty acts done to him for his extroverted ways. He rationalizes that it's all Christian's fault that he gets bullied...

This story got to me because, when it showed the brutal things being done to poor Christian, I instantly visualized other kids in his place receiving the same torture, such as vandalism, death threats, and verbal as well as physical abuse! Pure hate crimes. I swear I almost cried because I felt helpless. I wanted to physically reach into the book and protect him! Eventually Bryan notices the toll the bullying is taking on Christian and tries his best to reach out.

It was sweet, watching Bryan's immediate growth once he witnesses the terrible things done to the other boy. And it becomes clear that he starts to admire Christian for being nothing but what he is, acting however he feels like, being whoever he wants to be. Having that courage to be different. The ending was adorable and sweet and awe-inducing, leaving me with a heartwarming sensation to take away from this first story in this collection of GBLT-based bully stories within the book.

I'll be reading a single short story from this book every week and reviewing it for my anti-bullying campaign! If you would like to help in any way, please feel free to fill out this form.

...the two cheerleaders alternating as they announce the team. The other cheerleaders are behind them, kicking and applauding, chanting the name of each player who enters the gym. Chris steps forward again, takes a deep breath, and announces, "Number thirty-seven, Troy Cooper!" The crowd goes nuts as Troy dashes out from the locker room.

The cheerleaders are chanting, "Troy! Troy! He's our boy!"

Troy takes center stage, turning to high-five each of his teammates. 

I remember the rock. I remember Chris in the office, and what he said about Troy. I stop clapping as I realize how hard this must be for him. He's up there publicly cheering his tormentor.