Chewing Gum Dreams

Michaela Coel is a true talent. She captures such a bluntly naive yet innocent take of young teenagers which creates such a hilariously evocative and nostalgic read. Although I’m only 18 the book transported me right back to secondary, when I mindlessly thought I knew everything and didn’t think as much. This play is mixed with rudeness, cheek and all the complexities of young sexuality which Coel perfectly writes with witty cultural references and crude similes. It blends the bright-eyed bluntness young teenagers have with their naivety, and it is interesting to see how that mix responds to the varying seriousness of themes of the play from class room banter all the way to physical and sexual abuse. 14 is a very poignant time- just when kids in this day and age very quickly lose their grip of the childlike innocence they once had and with that their perspectives change. With that being said this play is multi-layered and finishes on a heartwarming and thought provoking note. A funny, rude and touching read.