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Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

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Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy

Let Them Stare is the kind of book that sneaks up on you like a ghost in a vintage handbag—which, coincidentally, is exactly what happens to protagonist Sully Hartlow in this delightfully queer paranormal romance. Co-authored by Emmy winner Jonathan Van Ness (Over the Top, Love That Story) and bestselling YA author Julie Murphy (Dumplin’, Puddin’), this collaboration brings together two distinct voices to create something genuinely magical: a story that honors queer history while celebrating the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery.

Plot Overview: More Than Just a Haunted Handbag Story

The premise sounds almost too wild to work: eighteen-year-old Sully Hartlow, desperate to escape their suffocating small town of Hearst, Pennsylvania, discovers a potentially priceless vintage Butler bag at their beloved thrift store, Yesterday’s Today. But this isn’t just any vintage find—it comes with Rufus, a fabulous drag performer from the 1950s who died with no memory of how or why.

What begins as a simple “authenticate the bag, sell it, escape to New York” plan evolves into something far more profound. Sully finds themselves pulled into a mystery that spans decades, uncovering the hidden queer history of their hometown while navigating complicated relationships with their best friends Emma and Guy, their crush-turned-something-more Brad, and their increasingly supportive family.

The genius of Van Ness and Murphy’s collaboration lies in how they weave together multiple narrative threads without losing focus. This is simultaneously:

Character Development: Authentic Voices Across Generations

Sully: A Protagonist Worth Rooting For

Sully Hartlow is everything a modern YA protagonist should be—flawed, funny, fierce, and utterly human. Their voice crackles with wit and vulnerability, channeling the kind of sharp observational humor that feels distinctly influenced by Van Ness’s comedic sensibilities. Sully’s internal monologue is a delicious mix of pop culture references, fashion commentary, and genuine emotional depth.

What makes Sully particularly compelling is their journey from self-centeredness to community consciousness. Early in the novel, they’re admittedly focused on their own escape plan, often dismissing the feelings and experiences of those around them. But as they dig deeper into Rufus’s story and Hearst’s hidden history, Sully begins to understand that sometimes the most revolutionary act is staying and fighting for change rather than running away.

Rufus: A Ghost with Gravitas

Rufus could have easily been a one-note comic relief character—the sassy ghost providing quips from beyond the grave. Instead, Van Ness and Murphy craft him as a fully realized character whose tragedy feels both historically grounded and emotionally resonant. His forgotten memories of persecution, love, and loss anchor the novel’s exploration of queer history, while his fabulous personality and fierce loyalty to Sully provide much-needed levity.

The relationship between Sully and Rufus forms the emotional core of the story. They’re kindred spirits separated by seventy years, both struggling with questions of belonging and authenticity. Rufus’s gradual recovery of his memories parallels Sully’s growing understanding of their own place in both their family and community.

Supporting Cast: More Than Just Window Dressing

Brad (affectionately nicknamed “Bread” by Sully) could have been another boring love interest, but Murphy and Van Ness give him genuine depth. His political ambitions and rule-following nature initially clash with Sully’s chaos-creating tendencies, but their relationship develops naturally through shared adventures and mutual respect.

Eleanor, Sully’s fierce city councilwoman mother, emerges as a particularly strong supporting character. Her unwavering support for her child, combined with her own political awakening throughout the story, provides a model of allyship that feels both aspirational and achievable.

Writing Style: A Successful Fusion of Voices

One of the biggest challenges in any co-authored work is maintaining narrative consistency, and Van Ness and Murphy largely succeed in creating a unified voice. The writing sparkles with Van Ness’s trademark humor and cultural commentary while maintaining Murphy’s gift for emotional authenticity and character development.

The dialogue feels particularly strong, especially Sully’s internal monologue and their conversations with Rufus. The authors capture the way modern teenagers actually speak while avoiding the trap of trying too hard to be “current.” Lines like “Miss Goop could see what was really going on behind the velvet rope” and Sully’s various pop culture observations feel natural rather than forced.

Pacing and Structure

The novel’s pacing occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambitious plot. The mystery elements sometimes feel rushed, particularly the revelation about Cygnus Cobpen and the speakeasy discovery. While these moments are undeniably exciting, they might have benefited from more buildup and development.

However, the authors excel at balancing the various story elements. The romance never overshadows the mystery, the historical elements enhance rather than distract from the contemporary story, and the paranormal aspects feel grounded in emotional truth rather than existing purely for shock value.

LGBTQ+ Representation: Authentic and Layered

Let Them Stare offers rich, multifaceted queer representation that spans both historical and contemporary perspectives. Sully’s experience as a nonbinary teenager in a small town feels authentic and specific, avoiding the trap of making them a representative for all nonbinary experiences while still addressing real challenges they face.

The historical elements are particularly well-researched and respectfully handled. Rufus’s story as a drag performer in the 1950s, his relationship with Robby, and their ultimate tragedy reflects the very real persecution faced by queer people during this era. The authors don’t shy away from the harsh realities of this period—forced institutionalization, family rejection, and social ostracism—while still finding hope and celebration in queer resilience and community.

Areas for Improvement

While the LGBTQ+ representation is generally strong, the book occasionally falls into the trap of making queer trauma the primary engine of historical narrative. Rufus’s story, while moving and important, sometimes feels like it exists primarily to educate rather than to entertain. A bit more joy and celebration in the historical sections might have provided better balance.

Historical Elements: Bringing the Past to Life

The novel’s exploration of queer history in small-town America is one of its strongest elements. The discovery of Robby’s speakeasy and the careful excavation of its history feels both magical and grounded in real historical possibility. Van Ness and Murphy clearly did their research, and it shows in the authentic details of 1950s queer life and the specific challenges faced by gender non-conforming individuals during this period.

The way the authors connect past and present through the physical space of the speakeasy is particularly effective. The building itself becomes a character, holding secrets and stories that bridge generations of queer experience.

Romance: Sweet Without Being Saccharine

The romance between Sully and Brad develops organically throughout “Let Them Stare”, avoiding the instalove trap that often plagues YA fiction. Their relationship grows from mutual attraction to genuine partnership as they work together to solve Rufus’s mystery. Brad’s growth from rule-following “teacher’s pet” to someone willing to break into abandoned psychiatric hospitals for the sake of love and justice feels earned and realistic.

The authors handle the physical aspects of their relationship tastefully while still acknowledging teenage desire and curiosity. Their first kiss in the car outside Sully’s house is particularly well-written, capturing both the awkwardness and electricity of young love.

Themes: Universal Messages in Specific Stories

Beyond its entertainment value, Let Them Stare grapples with several important themes:

Belonging and Community

Sully’s journey from wanting to escape Hearst to finding their place within it speaks to the universal experience of learning to bloom where you’re planted while still maintaining your authentic self.

Intergenerational Connection

The relationship between Sully and Rufus highlights how queer people across generations share common experiences while also showing how much progress has been made.

Family and Acceptance

The various family dynamics in the story—from Eleanor’s fierce support to Uncle Chuck’s growth to Rufus’s tragic family rejection—explore different models of acceptance and love.

Historical Memory

The novel argues powerfully for the importance of preserving and celebrating queer history, particularly stories that have been erased or forgotten.

Target Audience and Comparisons

Let Them Stare will particularly appeal to readers who enjoyed:

Let Them Stare works well for readers ages 14 and up, though some younger readers might struggle with the historical persecution elements and the complexity of the mystery plot.

Final Verdict: A Sparkling Success with Minor Flaws

Let Them Stare succeeds admirably at its ambitious goals, delivering a story that is simultaneously entertaining, educational, and emotionally satisfying. Van Ness and Murphy have created something special here—a book that honors queer history while celebrating queer present and future.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its heart. Despite the paranormal elements and historical mystery, this is fundamentally a story about love—romantic love, familial love, friendship, and community love. It argues passionately that everyone deserves to be seen, accepted, and celebrated for who they are, whether they’re a small-town teenager trying to find their place or a drag queen whose story was nearly lost to history.

What Works:

What Could Be Improved:

Despite these minor flaws, Let Them Stare stands as a significant achievement in LGBTQ+ YA literature. It’s a book that will make readers laugh, cry, and think—often all at the same time. Van Ness and Murphy have crafted a love letter to queer resilience, small-town secrets, and the power of found family that feels both timely and timeless.

Let them stare, indeed—this book is worth being seen with.

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