Under the Radar

As the title suggests, Gunnar is hoping to stay under the radar for one more year of high school, saving the experience of coming out until after he turned eighteen and found a life away from the farm. Only his sister knows he’s gay, and Gunnar is worried about what the other wrestlers on his team would think and the school as a whole. Then one day he meets Aidan, and everything changes. Aidan is into fashion, has his future pretty much figured out, and seems comfortable being openly gay. But when Aidan becomes the target of a gay bashing and Gunnar comes to his rescue, Gunnar is forced to confront his fears, his friends, and his family in an effort to free himself from the proverbial closet.

Judith Clark’s novel, within the first few chapters, appears to be following a well-worn path for gay characters in YA literature: a new crush, a hate crime, overcoming self-hate (or not). However, because the moment of violence comes so early in the novel, Clark allows Gunnar and Aidan to more fully explore themselves and their feelings, with others and for each other. Gunnar is a sympathetic young gay man, working through a variety of feelings of self-loathing and fear that have been reinforced through the actions and words of many in the conservative community around him. That being said, there are supportive individuals throughout the text, including Parker and Derek, an older gay couple Gunnar works for, and his sister Elin, among others.

Aidan is also a nuanced and compelling love interest, and while Gunnar is not initially convinced he has a chance—or that Aidan is even interested in him—the two have an entertaining, emotional, and captivating dynamic that will keep readers wondering, “Will they or won’t they get together?” Gunnar, instead of immediately falling for Aidan, is also given freedom within the narrative to explore his queerness in different contexts, flirting with a few other boys along the way, and figuring out his own level of comfort in various situations.

Even though much of the novel reaches toward acceptance and openness, homophobia and violence still exist within the world of Under the Radar, but, as noted earlier, Clark avoids cliché for the most part and works with—but ultimately complicates—well-used tropes from the history of queer YA. That being said, there are a few stock characters who feel somewhat stereotypical and underdeveloped, including Brody and his father, the homophobic pastor. Though undoubtedly included as foils for Gunnar and his own family, some further development around them could have aided in later parts of the novel that focus on forgiveness.

Under the Radar is a book about self-discovery, sexual exploration, family, friendship, and romantic awakening, told through a lens of hope, forgiveness, and growth. Readers will find themselves invested in Gunnar’s journey, including—or perhaps especially—his connection to Aidan.