Invisible Boys cover art

Invisible Boys

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Invisible Boys

By: Holden Sheppard
Narrated by: Nic English
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.99

Buy Now for $25.99

About this listen

A Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book.

Winner of the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award.

Winner of the Kathleen Mitchell Award.

Winner of the City of Fremantle T.A.G. Hungerford Award.

Winner of the Ray Koppe Residency Award.

Shortlisted for both the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and Readings Young Adult Book Prize and longlisted for the Indie Book of the Year Award.

In a small town, everyone thinks they know you: Charlie is a hardcore rocker who’s not as tough as he looks. Hammer is a footy jock with big AFL dreams and an even bigger ego. Zeke is a shy over-achiever, never macho enough for his family. But all three boys hide who they really are. When the truth is revealed, will it set them free or blow them apart?

©2019 Holden Sheppard (P)2021 W. F. Howes Ltd Difficult Situations LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring

Critic Reviews

"This is a confronting and challenging story which describes the pain of growing up gay in a small, conservative small-town community.... Sheppard has given us a brave book which deserves attention." (Good Reading)

"The book is immediately engaging and engrossing, exploring the lives of three diverse male teenagers dealing with their homosexuality.... [Invisible Boys] is distinctively Western Australian with a well-constructed and truly surprising climax. Sheppard will win himself a vast number of fans with this impressive debut." (DNA Magazine)

"Sheppard pulls no punches in this story, challenging expectations and taking the reader on a dark journey through each boy’s life, with only a sliver of light at the end providing hope for a brighter future. This book feels somewhat unmoored from time, with a raw edginess...which brings to mind books like Puberty Blues and the work of Tim Winton." (Junior Books + Publishing)
All stars
Most relevant
This story, the characters and most importantly the narration tell the truth faced by so many LGBTIQ+ country youth in Australia.

A queer country love story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Such a brave and honest story of growing up gay in a hostile town. The struggles for acceptance are so realistic and moving. Beautiful. Highly recommended.

Wow! Never heard that before!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Why was it so difficult to find this book? So good to find a realistic and well written queer book without all the gratuitous sex. (Is it weird that Audible keeps recommending erotica to me?) I would recommend this sadly beautiful book to any reader and as the proud mother of a gay son find it devastating that there are still parents like this.

Sadly real but so good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I picked up this book not sure what I was in for. What a pleasant surprise awaited me. The book starts off with dramatic Sensualness, my initial thoughts were I was listening to Adult Fiction but as I got deeper into the book I found it was delving into the souls of every Country kid in The Outback. Parts were simply very funny as I found myself laughing with the guys as though I was there, then at times it was quite emotional as I teared up with The Boys. Really a beautiful book reminding me of my own Country Boy growing into manhood. Reminded me a little of HONEYBEE by Craig Silvey another great book. Recommend INVISIBLE BOYS to anyone who wants to be entertained while learning about the emotional issues confronting teens growing up in the Country.

TEARS AND LAUGHTER

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I was completely hooked - right from the first words. Adults and young adults will get something valuable from this superb book.

A must read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
being from a similar small town in a similar situation the only thing i wanted to do was get the F out of there. A great listen with a few surprises. was a little confusing when the narrator jumps between the characters

Relatable story of small town challenges

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I didn't want to stop listening. I finished it in a couple of days. The book stays with you. Had me laughing and crying. Great narration. Depth of characters. Didn't want it to end.

Beautiful, raw story. Captivating narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
From the first line to the heart wrenching ending I didnt even contemplate, I lived every minute.
In the end, as with all great stories I just wanted to know "What happens next"

It's been a long time since I was an outcast boy of 16, but every sentence reminded me of that insecure kid I was, just wanting someone to be my friend who felt the way I did.

All of a sudden you're back to being 17 and hidden

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This novel is absolutely brilliant. The focus on homophobia, including internalised homophobia, and the immense toll this takes on people's mental health is rarely written about so in-depth and is particularly jarring due to the regional town setting. Holden Sheppard's own lived experience ensures the writing very much reflects common experiences of queer young people, I found myself constantly thinking "oh my gosh it's like we share the same brain". This was particularly relevant in relation to internalised homophobia that non-queer people would likely find hard to grasp, therefore this book is a great way for those allies around queer people to better understand some of the thought processes their loved ones may experience. The novel would be brilliant for all people but particularly those working with young people and the LGBTQIA+ community in education and health services etc. as well as being a great read for parents. The insight it gives into the queer experience growing up is essential in order to better support young queer people. I think the themes are also important for young people themselves, however there is a lot of heavy topics as well as swearing and sex scenes that may mean it is best suited for teenagers over 15 years of age.

The only negative is that I believe the physical novel as well as the audible audiobook should be altered to include disclaimers about the themes in the novel (and in the audible description for people to see before buying) as there is very heavy themes covered in the novel relating to homophobia, transphobia, bullying, mental illness, and suicide that could cause a great deal of distress for some readers especially if they don't realise these themes are coming up. I know for myself personally this was quite upsetting as I have personal experience with many of these issues but was okay with reading them, however I have had friends who couldn't finish the novel as it was too triggering for them.

Absolutely excellent novel! Disclaimer needed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Honestly the best book I’ve read in years. So many gay guys will relate so deeply with the subject matter - young adult, or fully grown. I found it so moving, and felt deeply involved in the story - felt like I was watching it with my own eyes. Holden is an absolute talent, and I can’t wait to ready The Brink next. What a treasure for gay teens that they have looks like this to read to help them through what can be an extremely difficult period. Thank you Holden!

Can’t praise this book enough!! Beautiful story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.