Journal Entry 1 by GoryDetails from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Friday, April 09, 2004

I picked this as one of my selections from the InsightOut Book Club; it's described as a coming-out/coming-of-age story but with more complex characters and relationships than usual. [I admit that I was tantalized by the title as well; should there be a support group for "People Who Buy Books Because They Think They Will Look Good on Their BC Bookshelves"? ;-)]

To be read. 

Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, June 09, 2005

[Another of my backlog of to-be-journaled books; I read this one {gulp} almost three months ago!]

This is something of a coming-of-age story, but with some twists. Neill, the main character, a closeted 21-year-old still living at home, is experiencing his first love - he's fallen for Vince, a troubled drug addict. At the same time, Neill's younger brother Peter is battling a serious and disfiguring cancer. Sounds horribly depressing, but it isn't - though the first line of the story hints strongly that something awful's going to happen. (I found the warning helpful in expectation-setting, and as it turned out it wasn't quite as awful as I'd expected.) The story takes some unusual turns, and is more about learning how to love, in a variety of ways, then specifically about coming out or a first romance. Neill's attempts to understand the emotionally scarred Vince are frustrating to read, as I knew they weren't likely to succeed but could tell how impossible it would be for Neill to back away. Still, there is a sense of hope, even for Vince...

I really appreciated the relationship between Neill and his brother. The strain that any family goes through when one member is suffering a catastrophic illness is presented well, and with believable lapses - not everyone is saintly under these circumstances. But Neill and Peter manage to support each other, and I found it quite moving. 

Journal Entry 3 by GoryDetails from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, June 09, 2005

I'm offering this on the Gay & Lesbian Relay on CasualReader's relay site.

*** And it's been claimed (bare moments before expiring)! Will be on its way to BCer Greyflank in NJ as of June 20th; hope you enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 4 by Greyflank from Brick, New Jersey USA on Friday, June 24, 2005

Came in the mail last night, but BC was all wonky and I couldn't journal it. Amazing what a good night's sleep will accomplish! :-)

Thanks, Gory! I look forward to reading this!