Synopsis
Felipe can't wait for winter break. Finally, he'll get some time away from the classmates who tease him incessantly about his weight. But Felipe's plan turns upside down when he learns that Caio, his neighbor from apartment 57, will be staying with him for fifteen days. (From inset on Here the Whole Time).
Awards & Recognition
At the time of this writing, only one award is available, but hopefully more will follow. The award is the Global Literature in Libraries' Initiative (GLLI) Translated YA Book Prize. Here the Whole Time was a co-winner with Where We Go From Here, written and illustrated by Lucas Rocha.
Originally, it was published in Portuguese in Brazil in 2017. It wasn't released in English to audiences in the United States until the end of 2020. The translator for the English edition is Larissa Helena. It should be noted that Helena also translated the co-winner of the GLLI Translated YA Book Prize.
4.5 Stars - Amazon
4.3 Stars - Goodreads
4.1 Stars - LibraryThing
(Note, A&R was edited based on information made available after the original publication of this post).
Who is Vitor Martins?
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| Vitor Martins (photo by Rafael Gimenes) |
If all we had was Vitor's picture from the book jacket, it feels like that would be enough. Vitor's personality comes through with a smile that leaps off of the page. Luckily, we have an interview though that helps to fill in some gaps of information.
In an interview with Mimi Koehler, we find out about Vitor’s life in São Paulo, Brazil. While Here the Whole Time is his debut novel in the United States, he’s written three other novels and contributed to a collection of science fiction stories. He’s worked as an illustrator and book marketer. He’s had to maintain a day job as being a writer of fiction isn’t something many can do for a living in Brazil.
Vitor has had many troubles as a result of the pandemic. He, like many of us, found it difficult to be inspired and productive. While he hopes the future will be brighter, it’s clear that the pandemic has taken a toll on his life and hopes.
One of the characters that felt most real to me, Rita, was based on Vitor’s own relationship with his mother. Vitor comes from a home that appears to mirror that of Felipe and his mother was integral to the man he eventually became. When Vitor created Rita, he says that, “...I took all the good parts and put it into the one relationship I wish I had and I hope teens these days can have.” Actually creating relatable characters is a great skill for an author to have, and Rita is down to earth as Felipe’s mother.
Themes
Body Image/Dysphoria - One of two primary themes, this book wouldn't have had half of the pain, or charm, if it didn't explore this topic in depth. While often painful at times, Felipe's introspective take on life gives a believable voice to the emotional pain suffered by people that have weight issues. Most of his internal monologues retread this over and over, so I think there should be a content warning regarding this for those who are sensitive to body image issues. While not a full theme on its own, it's difficult to have a book that deals with teen weight issues without a bullying component. Bullying only comes up occasionally and it felt like Martins handled it well without dwelling on it.
Relationships - It would be short sighted if we only mentioned Felipe's homosexuality and potential budding romance as the other main theme, as the book is rich with relationships - and not just those of a potentially sexual nature. Felipe's life intersects in many ways with those around him and readers can take a lot from the way he navigates the problems he faces with each. His mother, his therapist, and Caio's good friend Becky all present opportunities for self-reflection and growth. Felipe's relationship with his mother is best seen through Caio's interactions with her. The therapist offers sage advice that helps to propel the plot, but it's interesting how much Felipe trusts her. And Becky's story is best explored by readers, but it's rich and a valuable part of the overall plot.
Communication - A sub-theme is communication and how it is explored in the story. The reader is given much of the story not only through Felipe's interactions, but also through his thoughts regarding his interactions. Initially, everything starts off slowly. But as Felipe becomes more comfortable verbally, new pathways are opened to him.
Darkness - While I hesitate to add this, I feel this theme is worth mentioning. There are numerous plot points that happen at night, in the comfort of darkness. In fact, it almost feels as if the story can't progress without the talks that happen under the comfort of darkness. I'll leave it for others to consider, but darkness feels like an integral theme, and if not that at least a tool used by the author.
Style
Here the Whole Time is a Young Adult (YA) problem novel told in the first person. Problem novels have a long tradition in young adult literature going back to the earliest novels classified as specifically for adolescents. The basic concept is the plot centers on a problem or a series of problems that the characters will interact with through the course of the story. Not all problems need to be solved and it may be better if they aren't, which allows readers to draw their own conclusions. It feels like under ideal circumstances, authors should share enough information about the problems to allow the conclusions drawn by teens to be healthy whether or not a resolution is presented, but that's likely open to interpretation.
First person narratives are common for YA novels. It's a storytelling device that makes characters more relatable to their audiences. This is especially true of the problem novel as it gives readers opportunity to put themselves into the story as the main character and draw their own conclusions about the problems faced.
Story & Characters
Original Brazil Publication
Original Brazil Publication
Plot - As a 2 week break in school approaches for homosexual teen Felipe, he soon learns that his plans of sleeping in and watching television are about to be turned upside down by an unexpected house guest. Over the holiday, Felipe tries to work through several problems all in the name of finding his true love. Trigger and content warnings for this book include underage drinking, kissing and other sexualized interactions, homophobia, and body dysphoria.
Setting - The story mostly takes place in a small apartment in a small town in Brazil. While it stretches its legs in other parts of the town from the therapist’s office to an outdoor party, the real action takes place at night in Felipe’s room. That’s not to be taken as a double entendre in any way - really, most of the story feels like it takes place there. In some ways, this makes the story more accessible, as there is little difference between small apartment bedrooms the world over.
Characters - The cast of characters that are in view through Felipe’s eyes all have an impact on his life and the story. None of them feel as if they are without purpose.
Felipe: The narrator is a homosexual teen with body image problems and deep anxiety. It’s hard to divorce the image issues and sexuality from his age and anxiety, and as the story unfolds he tries to tackle all of the problems that he faces.
Rita: Felipe’s caring, free-spirited mother. She serves as an understanding, comforting person in Felipe’s life and always seems to understand what her son is enduring.
Caio: Felipe’s neighbor is his age. While they grew up together, at some point their relationship as friends fell apart.
Becky: Caio’s friend who has never had the chance to meet Felipe. She serves as a chance for all of the characters in the story to reevaluate their lives.
Others of note: There are other characters that all have a role to play. Of them, Felipe’s therapist offers a pivotal plot point that helps drive the story forward. Several different bullies also enter at key points of the story.
Who Should Read This
Precluding people from reading something is counter-intuitive to me, so from the outset I want it to be known that I think most, if not all, teens should probably read this book. Just because this book deals with homosexuality doesn't mean that someone who is heterosexual won't learn something important about themselves or their peers by reading Here the Whole Time. Just because this book deals with weight issues doesn't also mean the same for someone described as skinny or fit. And readers who live in the United States can clearly gain some small amount of growth about other cultures by reading a book in an unfamiliar setting.
For a recommendation, I'd suggest the audience be anyone with body dysphoria or those who are gay or questioning of their sexuality. Representation is a powerful tool and the more books that are shared with broad appeal in those categories, the better. As far as ideal age goes, I think readers as young as 13 or 14 can appreciate this book, but there should be a content warning for younger teens that underage drinking is a brief part of the story. As with many YA stories, adults interested in the topics or just looking for a book with great characters should also consider reading Martins' book.
Reviews
... The novel, narrated in the first-person, expresses Felipe’s internal turmoil as he endures living in close quarters with a boy he finds irresistible and who, it turns out, also enjoys reading Tolkien, makes delicious brigadeiros, and is happy to join in the daily themed activities planned by Felipe’s supportive single mother. Felipe’s struggle with body image and self-perception is presented thoughtfully, and the frankness with which he tells his story is at turns hilarious and heart-wrenching. ~Kirkus
This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. Do yourself a favor and add this phenomenal queer story to your 2021 TBRs immediately!!! ~Chelsea, Goodreads
Here The Whole Time is the kind of warm, body-positive, and sweet love story that I will never not enjoy reading. As someone who grew up being the heavy gay kid, this is a book that I knew that I would at the very least relate to; I definitely related to multiple passages in this book when Felipe ruminates on his weight and size, but I was also genuinely entertained by this book. ~Lance, Goodreads
Discussion Questions
1. Have you experienced feelings similar to those expressed by Felipe as he attempts to restart a friendship with Caio?
2. What did you take from Felipe's relationship with his mother? Have you been in a situation, even recently, when you needed someone else to tell you you were wrong and what they expected you to do to fix it?
3. Body positivity is so important these days for youth and their development. Do you feel society is helping or hindering youth? Why?
4. The last sentence of the book mentions weightlessness. What do you feel Felipe is talking about?
Other Books
The following are all books that Vitor Martins has contributed to or written, but they have not yet been released in English. It is not unreasonable to expect some of them to be translated if Here the Whole Time is a commercial success. If you are interested in reading them in Portuguese, they are available through resellers or as ebooks.
Aqui Quem Fala E Da Terra is a collection of science fiction stories that Vitor contributed to.
Escrito em Algum Lugar is a short story, available digitally. It covers topics such as LGBTQ+ relationships and a boy band. May be marketed for older readers (relying on internet translation tools requires me to be cautious in promoting this as a YA item).
Todas as Cores do Natal is a collection of Christmas tales by various authors. Vitor Martins contributes a piece on an LGBTQ+ relationship. (This may be geared towards pre-teens, translation tools make this difficult to assess).
Um Milhao de Finais Felizes is a YA story that takes on pirates, romance, religious parents, and somehow ties it all together.
Read Alikes
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| As Far As You'll Take Me |
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| Heartbreak Boys |
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| The Passing Playbook |
Sources
Books Are Magic. (2021, January 13). Here the whole time | Vitor Martins & Abdi Nazimian. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySz9h3bM7ZI
Here the whole time. (2020). https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/vitor-martins/here-the-whole-time/
Latham, D., & Gross, M. (2014). Young adult resources today: Connecting teens with books, music, games, movies, and more. RTowman & Littlefield.
Martins, V. (2020). Here the whole time (L. Helena, Trans.). PUSH.
NGILBERT. (2021, January 14). 2021 Best Fiction for Young Adults [Text]. Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). https://www.ala.org/yalsa/2021-best-fiction-young-adults
Q&A: Vitor Martins, Author of “Here The Whole Time.” (2020, November 13). The Nerd Daily. https://www.thenerddaily.com/vitor-martins-author-interview/
Staff, S. L. J. (n.d.). 26 Must-Have Latinx YA Books Filled with Romance, History, and Magical Realism. School Library Journal. Retrieved September 12, 2021, from https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com?detailStory=26-must-have-latinx-ya-books-filled-with-romance-history-and-magical-realism
The “GLLI” translated YA book prize announces 2021 Brazilian winners. (2021, April 7). Publishing Perspectives. https://publishingperspectives.com/2021/04/the-glli-translated-ya-book-prize-announces-2021-brazilian-co-winners/
Also, referenced book reviews and ratings from Amazon, Goodreads, and LibraryThing.
