Becoming Ted by Matt Cain

Synopsis

A charming, joyful and surprising story about love, friendship and learning to be true to yourself, Becoming Ted will steal your heart.

Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family’s ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke’s-on-Sea.

But the truth is, he’s never wanted to work for the family firm – he doesn’t even like ice-cream, though he’s never told his parents that. When Ted’s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world.

But what if this could be an opportunity to put what he wants first? This could be the chance to finally follow his secret dream: something Ted has never told anyone …

Audiobook Review

4,5 stars

I first heard of Matt Cain’s books when I read The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. I was instantly charmed by that story!

Becoming Ted broaches topics like:

Finding who you are;
Family duty;
Grief of a broken relationship;
Fear of disappointing your parents;
Realizing your dreams;
Toxic or abusive relationship;
Homophobia;
Friendship and finding your tribe

Among other things.

Ted is a very loveable character. I really liked following his journey to find his true self and bloom into the Drag Queen he always was meant to be.

At the beginning of the story, his husband of more than ten year leaves him unexpectedly and he is forced to rethink his life. What he thought was joy and happiness was maybe not that but just comfort.

Slowly, little strokes by little strokes, Matt Cain paints the portrait of a gay man who has been pushed into a role he never wanted.

Going back and forth between Ted’s childhood or his marriage and present time we discover how even the most loveable family can guilt trip his kid into assuming a position he wasn’t made for.

Helped with his best friend Denise, Ted will soon reinvent himself, chasing his long lost dream to perform on stage and maybe finding a best suited partner in the process.

This story is charming, nostalgic, enlightening, moving and rings so true. I love Matt Cain’s sensitive writing. I can’t explain it but when I read his stories I feel a huge love and compassion for his characters who go from frightened for being different than the norm to embracing their inner queerness with pride.

All in nuances , tenderness and sass.

Last words: congratulations to our narrator Samuel Barnett who did a splendid job giving life to that story.

Thanks for reading!