What’s worse than coming back from a summer long program to find that your two best friends have all kinds of inside jokes? Finding out they’re dating — and that you might be gay, too.
The Bermudez Triangle, by Maureen Johnson
In The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson, Nina’s best friends Mel and Avery start dating, posing all kinds of questions: Is Nina gay, too? Do they have crushes on her? Is she homophobic for feeling weird that they’re dating?
The book explores the relationship between the three best friends, dubbed the Triangle by a childhood acquaintance. I liked that it was open ended; rather than focusing on what happens to them as individuals, the book concentrates on their friendship and the effects of sexuality and dating on that friendship — while focusing on their other, individual problems.
There were a few parts that stood out the most to me. I won’t spoil what exactly happened, but if you’ve read the book, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Are you a Freaking Bookworm or what? 
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On pages 130 and 131, Nina feels left out because Mel and Avery have a date, and she isn’t invited. I think most people can relate to feeling excluded because two of your friends are dating.
When Mel’s father holds her on page 331 because of the conversation she has with her mother, I simultaneously felt awful for Mel but loved her father so much for being there for her.
Maureen Johnson has a way of incorporating her own personal sense of humor into the narration of her stories, and on page 335 she makes the BEST Seventh Heaven reference/joke EVER. (Man, how I hated that show.)
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Another thing I loved about this book was the rich teenage “indie scene” culture. The characters hang out at coffee shops, play in disorganized garage bands, wear thrift shop clothing, and aspire to save the world and go to music school. (Speaking of saving the world, I so hated Steve. I don’t know why, but I also hated the main love interest in Suite Scarlett. I guess Maureen Johnson and I don’t have the same taste in men — or at least, mine is different from her leading ladies’.) The world that the characters lived in seemed so real. Maureen Johnson definitely has a knack for that, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
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So, that’s one book down out of at least four for the GLBT Challenge 2010. To jog your memory, I’m going to read at least four LGBT-themed works of fiction throughout the year. If you have a book you’d like me to read, leave a comment and let me know!
If you read The Bermudez Triangle, let me know what you thought of it. Leave a comment and answer some of the following questions:
- What was your favorite part? Your least favorite part?
- Who was your favorite character? Why?
- Did you think that Nina could have acted differently when she first found out that Avery and Mel were dating?
- Did you like Steve?
PS: I found a list of what other people doing the challenge have read so far.
PSS: I’m currently reading Fray, a graphic novel by Joss Whedon, set in the Buffyverse two-hundred years after Buffy and Faith. I’m also reading the second Wormwood graphic novel, so you can expect a couple new graphic novel reviews very soon!
1. My favorite part was any time Nina had them Triangle off. It reminded me of when I was younger, and my group of friends played a game called Supercats, where we were cats with superpowers (think Crash Bandicoot meets Samurai Pizza Cats). My least favorite part was Mel’s mom’s reaction to her coming out. What a douche. I still hate her for it.
2. My favorite character was… a toss-up between Mel and Avery. I liked all of the characters (except for Steve, haha), but these two were my favorites because they were so different and yet going through very similar things.
3. I think Nina’s initial reaction was pretty much the way anyone would have reacted: Whoa! Hold on. I need air. You’re gay?? You’re dating??
4. I. Hate. Steve. The end.
How about you?
I loved Steve! He cracked me up!
Heehee, you can have him!
Admittedly, it’s been a while since I read it, but I remember Nina feeling very awkward which would be a normal reaction when you find out your friends are dating. But then doubly so, when it’s your two girlfriends and you had no idea either was gay.
I liked the ending and I think the emotions were very well represented.
I thought so, too. I love that the ending was open, not focusing on what happens (Does Nina get back with Steve? Does Parker date the scarf girl? Does Avery get into music school? Will Mel’s mom stop being such a bitch?), and focusing more on the Triangle.
Nice review. I really want to read this and Maureen has a great sense of humor.
Thanks! You should definitely read it.
What was your favorite part? When they go to support Avery’s audition (I’m all for the cheese factor in MJ books)
Your least favorite part? How Steve treated Nina. NOT COOL.
Who was your favorite character? Why? Parker. He was the glue that brought everyone back together.
Did you think that Nina could have acted differently when she first found out that Avery and Mel were dating? I think she acted as good/well as a friend could. Even if they were in straight relationships, I’d feel like she’d act the same. You’ve been gone for the whole summer and your friends’ lives continued on.
Did you like Steve? He was alright but I always thought there was something sketchy with him. I was rooting for Parker, if you couldn’t tell.
You should read Key To The Golden Firebird!
I was rooting for Parker, too!
I really want to read Key to the Golden Firebird. Actually, I just want to read all MJ books. But I’m afraid if I start posting nothing but MJ reviews, my readers will throw Teen Spirit deodorant at me.
I can’t wait to read Scarlett Fever!