SexybyJoyce Carol Oates

Sexy (2005) is a novel by Joyce Carol Oates, originally published by Harper Tempest. It is Oates's third book written for young adults following Big Mouth and Ugly Girl and Freaky Green Eyes . The novel was mired in some controversial because of its target audience and the content. The themes of pedophilia, homosexuality, and pre-marital sex, and its usage of the curse words made several religious groups to, unsuccessfully, to have it banned.


The novel concerns Darren Flynn, a member of a high school swim team. He is not overly confident and blushes when he hears the girls call him "hot" and "sexy". Darren attracts the attention of his English teacher, Mr. Tracy. When Mr. Tracy offers to give Darren a ride home during a snowstorm, Darren begins to feel uncomfortable even though nothing inappropriate happens between the two. Embarrassed, he tells his friends nothing of the incident. Afterwards, Darren battles with his psyche and tries to make sense of "what happened." His friends try to get Tracy arrested by sending gay porn to the police with a note from a supposed eleven year old child who was raped by the teacher. Tracy is questioned by the police, and is asked to resign. Halfway through the novel, the teacher dies in a car accident that may or may not have been suicidal. Darren wrestles with his thoughts as to where his responsibility lies in the matter. Later, at a party, Darren bumps into two of the friends that started the smear campaign. Severely beaten, Darren is cared for by the girl hosting the party, Jill Brockmeier. The novel ends with Jill and Darren having sex in her bedroom.

---

Product Description

It was in November, a Thursday after swim practice. The thing with Mr. Tracy, Darren's English teacher.
The thing was how Darren would think of it afterward.
The thing that was vague and not-named.
The thing that hadn't happened, anyway.
(Had it?)

Darren Flynn has the perfect life—until that day in November.

After that day, after what happened (did it happen?), life is different. Darren is different. Nothing is as it was—before. His friends, his family, even the people who are supposed to be in charge are no longer who Darren thought they were. Who can he trust, now?

This compelling, masterfully written novel by acclaimed author Joyce Carol Oates explores one teenager's search for identity in a complex, deceiving world, and the answers he finds in the most unexpected places.