Description

Book Synopsis

MAX WALKER - BLUE-EYED BOY OR GIRL NEXT DOOR?

'Terrific. A poignant, brave and important book. - S J WATSON


'A gripping read. Tarttelin is a natural storyteller' MATT HAIG


'Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author' WE LOVE THIS BOOK

To the outside world, Max Walker is a golden boy: a loving son and brother, the perfect student, captain of the football team and every girl's dream boyfriend. But Max was born intersex - neither fully boy nor fully girl. Now something terrible has happened to him, the consequences of which have left him questioning his gender identity.

Can the people around him - his girlfriend, his classmates, his ambitious parents - accept him for who he is? Or will Max's secret tear his world apart?



Trade Review
Terrific. A poignant, brave and important book. * S J WATSON, author of Before I Go to Sleep *
A gripping read. [Tarttelin] is a natural storyteller. -- Matt Haig * METRO *
A warmly human coming-of-age story... [Max's] desperate search for identity is gripping, emotionally engaging, and genuinely unforgettable, as, indeed, is this accomplished first novel. * BOOKLIST (USA) *
a coming-of-age story worth seeking out from a young author widely tipped for great things * DIVA *
I knew I was really into this when I missed my stop on the bus! It's about gold-star pupil, Max, and his MP dad, who have to deal with a hidden family secret surfacing. * COMPANY *
If a book with literary ambition should both inform and entertain, as well as make you see the world in a different way, if only slightly, then Tarttelin has certainly achieved that. -- Peter Raynard * LITRO *
An original read about a young person in an extraordinary situation... Unlike anything you will have read before... Brave, unique and utterly compelling. This is a book that will certainly make you think about life. * HEAT MAGAZINE *
Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author, her fresh, modern approach and contemporary writing style result in an inimitably of-the-moment novel which is beautifully matter-of-fact, eloquently meditative and fearlessly action-packed, all at once. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *
Golden Boy is an undeniably one of the most incredible books I have ever read...Such an important novel, one I wish everyone would read, one I feel should be read in schools. It's perfect, and I am so, so glad I've had the opportunity to read it. * www.onceuponabookcase.co.uk *
An astonishingly good novel covering a rarely touched topic. * SO SO GAY *
An original read about a young person in an extraordinary situation... Unlike anything you will have read before... Brave, unique and utterly compelling. This is a book that will certainly make you think about life. * HEAT MAGAZINE *
Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author, her fresh, modern approach and contemporary writing style result in an inimitably of-the-moment novel which is beautifully matter-of-fact, eloquently meditative and fearlessly action-packed, all at once. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *
Golden Boy is an undeniably one of the most incredible books I have ever read...Such an important novel, one I wish everyone would read, one I feel should be read in schools. It's perfect, and I am so, so glad I've had the opportunity to read it. * www.onceuponabookcase.co.uk *

Golden Boy: A compelling, brave novel about

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    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 19 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Abigail Tarttelin

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Golden Boy: A compelling, brave novel about by Abigail Tarttelin

      Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
      Publication Date: 30/01/2014
      ISBN13: 9781780224596, 978-1780224596
      ISBN10: 1780224591

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      MAX WALKER - BLUE-EYED BOY OR GIRL NEXT DOOR?

      'Terrific. A poignant, brave and important book. - S J WATSON


      'A gripping read. Tarttelin is a natural storyteller' MATT HAIG


      'Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author' WE LOVE THIS BOOK

      To the outside world, Max Walker is a golden boy: a loving son and brother, the perfect student, captain of the football team and every girl's dream boyfriend. But Max was born intersex - neither fully boy nor fully girl. Now something terrible has happened to him, the consequences of which have left him questioning his gender identity.

      Can the people around him - his girlfriend, his classmates, his ambitious parents - accept him for who he is? Or will Max's secret tear his world apart?



      Trade Review
      Terrific. A poignant, brave and important book. * S J WATSON, author of Before I Go to Sleep *
      A gripping read. [Tarttelin] is a natural storyteller. -- Matt Haig * METRO *
      A warmly human coming-of-age story... [Max's] desperate search for identity is gripping, emotionally engaging, and genuinely unforgettable, as, indeed, is this accomplished first novel. * BOOKLIST (USA) *
      a coming-of-age story worth seeking out from a young author widely tipped for great things * DIVA *
      I knew I was really into this when I missed my stop on the bus! It's about gold-star pupil, Max, and his MP dad, who have to deal with a hidden family secret surfacing. * COMPANY *
      If a book with literary ambition should both inform and entertain, as well as make you see the world in a different way, if only slightly, then Tarttelin has certainly achieved that. -- Peter Raynard * LITRO *
      An original read about a young person in an extraordinary situation... Unlike anything you will have read before... Brave, unique and utterly compelling. This is a book that will certainly make you think about life. * HEAT MAGAZINE *
      Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author, her fresh, modern approach and contemporary writing style result in an inimitably of-the-moment novel which is beautifully matter-of-fact, eloquently meditative and fearlessly action-packed, all at once. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *
      Golden Boy is an undeniably one of the most incredible books I have ever read...Such an important novel, one I wish everyone would read, one I feel should be read in schools. It's perfect, and I am so, so glad I've had the opportunity to read it. * www.onceuponabookcase.co.uk *
      An astonishingly good novel covering a rarely touched topic. * SO SO GAY *
      An original read about a young person in an extraordinary situation... Unlike anything you will have read before... Brave, unique and utterly compelling. This is a book that will certainly make you think about life. * HEAT MAGAZINE *
      Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author, her fresh, modern approach and contemporary writing style result in an inimitably of-the-moment novel which is beautifully matter-of-fact, eloquently meditative and fearlessly action-packed, all at once. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *
      Golden Boy is an undeniably one of the most incredible books I have ever read...Such an important novel, one I wish everyone would read, one I feel should be read in schools. It's perfect, and I am so, so glad I've had the opportunity to read it. * www.onceuponabookcase.co.uk *

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