Deposing Nathan

Deposing Nathan

Author: Zack Smedley

Publish Date: 2019

Links: Goodreads

Plot with spoilers:

West Virginia high school junior Nathan is being deposed in the trial of his friend Cam, who is being charged with stabbing Nathan in the stomach.  The narrative shifts between the courtroom where the judge is asking Nathan questions and flashbacks to the development of Nathan and Cam's friendship.  Cam, who's new to Nathan's high school, immediately identifies Nathan as a kindred spirit, and Nathan too soon develops a strong connection.  Both Nathan and Cam eventually discover that they are attracted to each other.  While Cam is quite introspective and more of a free spirit, Nathan has difficulty accepting his attraction to Nathan due what he was taught in his church, which along with Cam's coming out as biseuxal creates increasing friction in their friendship.  Nathan's domineering aunt, who's raising Nathan with Nathan's father, thinks Nathan is a bad influence, and tries to force Nathan in an abusive fashion to cut off contact with Cam.  At the end of the school year, they both go to the same Christian summer camp.  At the end of camp, they sneak off for a couple days to be alone where Nathan can actually embrace their relationship.  They're discovered by camp staff, and their parents are notified.  The stress of this impending outing pushes Nathan over the edge and he beats up Cam.  Nathan's aunt finds out that Nathan is gay and has been involved with Cam and is violent with him, culminating in Nathan's getting stabbed accidentally.  Nathan's aunt is prosecuted, and although Cam and Nathan still have a deep connection, Cam cuts off contact with Nathan in a tearful final scene. 

Race:

Both Nathan and Cam are white.  This is only revealed later in the book, when there's a description of hair color. Additionally, characters appear to all be assumed to be white.  There is a single character who is explicitly identified as Latino.  Interestingly, he's openly homophobic and disliked by Cam and Nathan. It seems like a bit of a careless choice, although not an intentional one.

Appearance:

There isn't much description of their appearance.  Nathan comments on his own lack of biceps.

Sexuality/Gender Identity:

Both characters come to realize that they're bi during the book. They are both cis guys.

Gender expression:

There's some suggestion that Cam has some femme tendencies.  However, Cam is only bullied after he comes out and starts wearing nail polish, which suggests that the author is implying that Cam is getting bullied because of behaviors and preferences that he's chosen to reveal.

Coming out:

They discover that they are bi after they hookup at a party while drunk.  Nathan comes out to his parents and classmates.  Nathan's friends and family come to know about his bisexuality when camp staff discover Nathan and Cam together.

Other notable points:

• The structure of the story -- switching between courtroom deposition and flashbacks -- and the slow divulgence of information is very effective, adding surprise and suspense to the story.

• It deals explicitly and at length with the conflict between what Nathan is taught about sexuality at church and his realization that he's bi.

• The story has a couple quite violent episodes.  I can't decide if they add realism or are gratuitous.