The story follows Vikram Shastri, who is a high-achieving student who has always played by the rules – until he joins his high school football team. With his teammates Diego and MJ, he finds himself swept up in the culture of male bravado, culminating in a night at a party in a Southern California cave. As the truth of that night remains shrouded in secrecy, both the boys and their families must confront the deeper issues at play – about who gets the benefit of the doubt, who is allowed to make mistakes, and what justice really looks like.
Pandya perfectly balances tension and nuance, crafting a narrative that is as much about teenage recklessness as it is about the pressures of adulthood. The shifting perspectives between the boys and their parents allow for a multifaceted exploration of guilt, responsibility, and self-preservation. Vikram, as a character, is particularly fascinating – torn between his desire to fit in and the expectations placed on him as a young man of colour in a predominantly white, privileged environment. His parents, along with the other adults in the story, navigate their own struggles, making for a layered and insightful commentary on how far people will go to protect their carefully constructed lives.
Beyond its central mystery, Our Beautiful Boys is a sharp examination of power and complicity. Pandya does not offer easy answers but instead challenges readers to consider the ways systemic inequalities shape everything from high school athletics to parental ambitions. The novel’s tension builds steadily, culminating in a conclusion that is both unsettling and resonant.
With its intelligent prose and morally complex characters, Our Beautiful Boys is a timely and compelling read.
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