There are 3 main characters in “This is Shyness,” Wildgirl so-named because it is the slogan on her teeshirt, Wolfboy because he howls at inopportune moments such as when he first spots Wildgirl, and the suburb, Shyness.To explain Shyness, the suburb: In a sort-of dystopian future world similar to ours, Shyness, a district outlying the city of Panwood, has ceased to have daylight. There it has become dark 24/7, while elsewhere, day and night alternate as per normal. Some hypothetical reasons are given for “the Darkness” – one to do with global warning and another calling it Armageddon. Shyness has been deserted by normal people and is the home-ground to sugar junkies aka the Kidds, gypsies, bars and pubs frequented by those who live on the fringes of society, health shrinks like Dr. Gregory who prey on the young and unsuspecting and places like Orphanville.Wildgirl aka Nia is dark-skinned of mixed race, beautiful and damaged. She lives in a slummy housing lot outside Shyness with her solo mother. Being bullied at school for unexplained reasons, Wildgirl can’t wait to escape the city and follow her dreams.The beautiful Wolfboy has developed hairy forearms since Shyness turned dark. No one knows why, but it seems he would like a cure. He lives alone in in his rich parent's decrepit mansion, after they skipped town following the suicide of his adored elder brother, Gram.There are characters that are not fully-fledged, such as Ortolan, Lupe who reads Wildgirl’s future, which we don’t get to see, the Elf, Dr. Gregory, Wolfboy’s friends, the tiny monkey-like Tarsiers, Thom and Paul. Some are introduced without apparent purpose. In fact, nearly everyone other than the 3 main characters are almost incidental.The story could have turned dark and sinister but there is a strange sort of hopefulness and a sweet romance that eventuates, although while I read the book and even now while I am reviewing it, I am filled with a sense of dread. It is the darkness the story is full of, the ambivalent shuffling from one place to the next, the lost cigarette lighter that we will venture further into the dangerous unknown to retrieve. All of these left me feeling like I was fumbling for a lighter to shine onto the story. There are many unexplained plot threads, like the reason for Wildgirl's bullying, the point of Dr. Gregory, Wildboy's purpose for life and how he supports himself.As an original coming-of-age story of one night that is restrained and hopeful, it is enjoyable. If one is looking for a plot-driven or character-driven story, it is not so captivating. It didn’t last into my memory. Loved it. Nick Cave came on the radio just as I was finishing. Felt rather apt....When I was about halfway through this book, I decided that I wasn't going to review it. Not because it was bad or boring or anything. Very much the opposite, in fact. I don't review every book I read, mainly because if I write a review, I want to make sure I have something interesting to say about the book. And with This is Shyness, I just felt that is was so unusual and interesting that there wasn't anything I could say that could do it justice. It would be impossible to explain so I should just say READ IT and let it be brilliant and interesting for new people to discover and appreciate it's brilliance and interesting-ness.But then I finished it and I thought what the heck, I might as well attempt to write an interesting review because, like I said, it is a brilliant book and brilliant books deserve to be shouted about. So, how do I explain this This is Shyness - a (possibly) paranormal book in contemporary clothing? That's about as close as I can get I'm afraid. Although, then again, if you're going into it looking for a paranormal read, I don't think you'll find what you went out looking for. BUT you might be pleasantly surprised...On the face of it, this book contains more than a few YA cliches - slightly gobby girl who doesn't quite fit in, a moody and mysterious fellow with a PAST, an on-foot miniature road trip...yet, it is so much more than this. This is packed full of awe-inspiring ideas and images and the two main characters are convincing teens yet completely out there all at once.For me , there were a few lapses where my attention waned, especially at the point when their journey takes a different turn, but there are more than a few genuinely creepy and slightly horrifying moments as the story gathers pace again. As much as I loved Wildgirl and Wolfboy, I wish I'd had just a bit more of an emotional connection with them, but this will come in the sequel, yes? YES!So if you want YA with traditional elements yet is like nothing you have ever read before, then yes, believe it folks, there is such a book (it's this one, in case you're wondering).So was that an interesting enough review? Oh well, I've written it now, so there.(and thank you to Jo for lending me her copy...ages ago. And apologies to her also for not reading it for a criminally long time)
What do You think about Die Nacht Von Shyness (2012)?
Excellent. Original. I'm impressed, and would love to see more of these characters.
—Graciej
Just brilliant, so different and unique Not what you expect
—FreakAddict
