The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen
⭐⭐⭐ (3.5) Sci-Fi with teenage love and a side of superpowers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
Genre: Sci-Fi
Key topics/tropes: Male-male relationship, superpowers, mental health
Grade: Young Adult
Series: The Bright Sessions #1
Published: Sep 24, 2019
Length: 9 hours, 52 minutes
Format Read: Audio by Briggon Snow, James Fouhey
POV: First; dual perspectives
Content warnings & important topics
Mental illness
Bullying
Homophobia
Self harm
Suicidal thoughts
Links
Summary
Caleb is a high school football player and “Atypical”: a person with “superpowers”. His classmate Adam is bookish, quiet, and dealing with severe depression, which forces Caleb to have to learn how to manage his superpower of extreme empathy. Caleb’s therapist encourages him to befriend Adam, and together they learn more about his ability, navigating emotional connection, and the dangers of being an Atypical.
Review
I listened to the main podcast series this book is based on (The Bright Sessions) and absolutely loved it. As expected, it’s an adaptation of Caleb and Adam’s early relationship story, but with more insight: Caleb’s day-to-day navigation of his empath powers, Adam’s experiences with depression, and how each of their conditions interweave with their relationship.
Obligatory “reads YA, but I am an adult” disclaimer, but the teenage angst and banter was in full force for this one.
What stands out about the entire franchise (podcast and books) is the approach to mental health, since they have a psychological consultant on the team. The nuance in the depictions of mental health goes way beyond what I’ve seen in other YA novels, and it’s only strengthened by how Caleb is able to describe emotions in colors and shapes (similar to synesthesia).
I can’t speak authoritatively on the depiction of gay representation between male teenagers, but I felt it was done well. There is a homophobic character, but everyone else takes Caleb and Adam’s relationship in stride. The issue is rarely that they’re gay, but that they’re a teenager with depression and a teenager able to feel the other’s depression.
All ratings are subjective, but my middling 3.5 stars was definitely influenced by the fact that I’ve heard the general story before from the podcast, so the adaptation didn’t evoke the strongest feelings for me. But the rest of the series seems to be a divergence (insights into other podcast characters with less built-out backstories), so I’m continuing on.
Author Rep Notes
Lauren Shippen is bisexual and experiences panic attacks (SGN interview).
Character Rep Notes
Sexuality
Adam — Gay (mentioned on page)
Caleb — Doesn’t label his sexuality, but Shippen indicates she thinks of him as demisexual (SGN interview).
Sam — Bisexual (mentioned in the same-universe podcast, but not the book)
Chloe — Asexual (mentioned in the same-universe podcast, but not the book)
Race
Adam is half-Black.
Mental Health
Adam deals with depression and suicidal ideation, and refers to experiences with self harm.
Sam deals with anxiety attacks (mentioned in the same-universe podcast, but not the book).
Also by Lauren Shippen
A Neon Darkness (The Bright Sessions #2)
Some Faraway Place (The Bright Sessions #3)