Chapter 10: The Joy of Sex (Preteen Edition) Summary and Analysis

Neil Bookman returns in this chapter. Augusten goes to see Neil, under the guise of looking at Neil's photography. Quickly, the visit develops into more and results in Neil more or less forcing Augusten into oral sex. Augusten feels very out-of-body during the experience. After, Neil explains that this experience was gay sex, and Augusten needed it to make sure he really is gay.

This scene may disturb many readers in its graphic and almost violent nature. To see such a young boy, thirteen year old Augusten, treated so harshly by an older man, thirty-three year old Neil, serves to make the reader uncomfortable. The author does well in capturing the violation felt by Augusten. He admits to himself that he both hates Neil and feels euphoric. Many times...