Barnes & NobleThe Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis

Will make a lasting impression on you

Evan is the only child of Greek immigrant parents: an abusive mother who sees him as a "disappointment" and workaholic father who avoids all conflict. Evan escapes in his art and writes about his pain in his journals, and it takes Evan falling in love with his best friend Henry to realize that he deserves more than his mother's harsh words and physical violence; he is capable and deserving of love. When I was about ten, I read Don't Hit Laurie!, which made a lasting impression because of its vividly terrifying descriptions of child abuse. My mom was NOTHING like Laurie's mom in that book, yet I read it over and over because it was morbidly fascinating and still memorable thirty years later. I have reviewed books with terrible parents and been horrified by many of them, but none have upset me as much as the way Evan's mom treats him in The Dangerous Art of Blending In. Evan's father is irritating, but he is more of a pitiable character, too weak to protect his son. I feel harsh writing this because I do feel bad for Mr. Panos; he is in a situation where there are no easy answers. I do think that his positive relationship with Evan is what saves Evan from becoming completely broken. Mrs. Panos, like Laurie's mom, is sneaky, cunning, and even moves the family when the doctor becomes suspicious of Evan's injuries. I want to blame the system's failure in situations of child abuse, but serial abusers are often experts at outsmarting authorities. Heartbreaking and frustrating. Evan is mature, resourceful, and has so much love in his heart despite his family situation. His relationship with Henry is sweet without being sappy--I feel Henry is a one-dimensional character, but since it's Evan's story, not Henry's, that's not TOO much of a problem. However, I would 100% read a story from Henry's point-of-view. The Dangerous Art of Blending In will make a lasting impression on you, breaking your heart for Evan but fixing it again when he finds love with Henry and manages to improve his life. I want to give Evan a big hug and I am not a super huggy person. Evan deserves all the love and happiness. I also didn't mention Gaige, Jeremy, or the coming-out video. Or doughnuts. Mmmmmmm.