Money Boy by Paul Yee: The Issue of Sexuality and Sexual Preference

Sexuality and sexual preference have been a touchy subject from past to present. Accepting individuals’ choices and views in society have not been the friendliest in various parts of the world including America. Laws are being passed to help bring true equality for the L. B. G. T. community. Although progress is being made individuals still face the backlash from family, coworkers, and society.

In Money Boy, written by Paul Yee, Yee explores Ray Liu a young teenage Chinese immigrant trying to fit in as he struggles internally with being gay. In this novel, Ray Liu faces tough decisions while trying to appease his father and find his place in society. Ray Liu an immigrant finds his means of escape through an online computer game that allows him to feel normal. Liu’s military father does not think much of video games and thinks they are a waste of time. Upon exploring Ray Liu’s computer, he discovers some gay male websites that untimely makes him angry and throws his son out on the street. Without much time to discuss what or why he is looking at such content, Ray Liu must survive on his own and find his true identity. Money Boy tackles a trending topic that children are questioning at a young age that leaves parents feeling clueless and blindsided.

The book covered a lot of intense situations from being robbed, hungry, sexual content, and displacement from family members that made it feel authentic. After finishing the novel, I feel it would be a solid choice for 12th graders to read to provide a better understanding of homosexual desires and struggles. As a parent, you have a vision for the way you would like your son or daughter to turn out. You want them to have no pain, sadness, and not make the same mistakes you did as an adolescent. When a parent discovers something that differs from that vision they are filled with mixed emotions such as disappointment, sadness, or rage. How we handle ourselves can speak wonders to our children. When Ba discovers the websites his son has been viewing the reader is able to see the disappointment and failure a parent feels: “Now you want to be gay. What should I think? Your grandfather was right. I am a failure. I should have used more displacing to raise you. Now it’s too late. ”

The text provides a scenario that prohibits teens from potentially wanting to come out or even discuss the possibilities that they have a different sexual gender preference. Reading Money Boy provides insight for readers who do not understand the internal struggles and fear teens face with secrets of this magnitude. Throughout the course of Money Boy and Ray Liu’s adventure readers will gain knowledge regarding about the hardships individuals like the character Ray faces. When individuals are faced with going against societal norms the fear of numerous consequences cause individuals to question their thoughts. Readers are able to see this while reading as Ray is robbed, befriended, and faced with the tough decision to become a “money boy” in order to survive. Yee does a solid job of allowing the reader to see the backlash that comes with pursuing one’s desires. Ray is struggling to find culture and family acceptance in a world that does not understand and share his wants. Yee is able to demonstrate Ray questioning queer theory in regard to binaries being either gay or straight.

As a society, we tend to place certain identities and knowledge of individuals because we find them to be different. The story of Ray sheds a lite of for others that may struggle with coming out to their peers and parents. When Ray returns home to see his ailing grandfather he decides that he must come out even if it does go against his fathers’ wishes: “Rui-young, will you let me embrace a great grand-child one day?” Grandfather leans to on side to peer at me. His lips are quivering. I pause. “say yes, ” Ba whispers. (Yee 182) After reading this section in the book the readers are able to see that they are still loved and cared for even when it goes against family desires. Although Ray’s grandfather may have a hard time understanding his grandson’s decision he tells him to adopt a child or make them through a test tube. The interaction is important because it shows the reader that family is important even when it goes against societal norms or family wishes. Money Boy is a short but must read for anyone experiencing the same struggles as Ray Liu.

The novel is short, but Yee provides a real glimpse from a parent’s point of view and from a teen wishes to fit in while appealing his father, friends, and society. Although Yee does not expand beyond the brief interaction between the grandfather and Ray there are several beneficial takeaways the reader is provided. Two main takeaways are Ray is able to solidify who he is through his experiences. The other is that family is important and that you can work through issues of this nature. Although Ba is nervous how his dad will respond I think he able to see that if he can move past it so can Ba.