Children's Books2014 · 264 pp
BAD BOY
Annette Münch
Casper loses everything. First his privileged life staying with his mother’s generous boyfriend, then his dream girl. Humiliation waits around every corner. His little brother is always in trouble and his mother’s new boyfriend is invading his life.
Then Liam arrives. He spends his days at the local gym and introduces Casper to a world where muscle strength means more than purchasing power, and your manliness is determined on the bench. Here everyone can take charge of their lives if they are willing to give their all and do anything. And Casper needs to beef up. He needs to regain respect for and control of his life. He decides to become a bad boy. Soon he’s in more trouble than he can handle, and then his little brother disappears.
Badboy is about a kind of abuse which is more widespread among young people than we dare think. Annette Münch gets close to the user, and Casper’s struggle for his own life is afrightening reminder that growing up in the time of selfies and an increased focus on body image requires many types of strength.
The book is based on conversations the author had with young users of anabolic steroids.
‘The novel is based on conversations that Münch has had with young users of anabolic steroids. This makes Casper’s story credible. He is a likable character who has made bad choices. [...] The novel has several threads, and the language is dynamic and solid. [...] An important book that studies how not only our bodies, but our thoughts and emotions, are affected by steroids. Casper copes, but the novel shows – with intensity and clarity – how steroid abuse comes about and can continue.’DAGBLADET
‘The need to maintain a façade when our lives are falling apart has always existed. It is particularly well depicted in this book, something that also makes Badboy: Steroid a timeless novel. The topic is however more specific to our time. Münch highlights a dangerous social problem among both young people and adults today with such credibility that it seems frighteningly commonplace. [...] There is a lot for both young people and adults to learn here!’VÅRT LAND
‘Badboy: Steroid is a wonderful depiction of young people who use anabolic steroids. The story coincides with what those of us who work for Dopingtelefonen have experienced. This book is very, very credible.’Margaret Tveitan, Manager at Dopingtelefonen [Steroid abuse hotline] at Oslo University Hospital
