price：$1.70
Dreamspinner Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The Hired Man by Jan Irving) 『I'm an old romance reader, old since I like the romances of the '70 and '80; I'm not that old of age, but in Italy those romance arrived more or less 10-15 years after their officially release in the United States. And so, when in America the Western Romance was becoming a passed fashion, I discovered it. There is one that was and still is, one of my favorite, Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer, the story of an ex con (framed for the murder of a prostitute) who is hired by a widow with two little sons and a third arriving. It's a wonderful romance and it was later made into a movie with late Christopher Reeves as the hero. But more than Morning Glory, my favorite, that I read and read again, was The Rainbow Season by Lisa Gregory. Probably to many of you the name Lisa Gregory says nothing, but she is now more famous and read, as one of the queen of Regency Romances as Candace Camp. But sincerely I think that the Rainbow Season, the love story set at the end of the XIX century between the bad boy, and ex con, of the town, with the young spinster who is in love with her brother in law and decides to marry the hired man of her late father, is and will always be her best novel. There is only another one that can compete, Satan's Angel by Kristin James, the story of a lawless who falls in love for the woman he kidnapped, a woman who was traumatized when she was still a child, and now she is maybe too simple, unable to see the evil in other people... but Kristin James is Lisa Gregory, so, you see, it's obvious why I like that romance as much as the other one.
Why this long introduction? To pay my compliments to Jan Irving to be able to make me feeling again as the teenager of so many years ago, reading a story that is able to take me in another world, a place where your dreams come true. The Hired Man is a perfect Western Romance, as seldom you find today. The Historical Western Romance are strange, since you can read of a recent past history: you can enjoy an historical romance without feeling too far from their characters, escaping in that world is like taking a short trip over the weekend, you are far from the city, but the city is not so far from you. The feeling is the same, the world at the end of the XIX century had still a quiet pace, it was a world of baking cakes at home and doing chores in the barn, actually not so different from the life you can see in some places in the world.
Bryn is the bad boy of this novel: young and pretty, he had the bad luck to be born in the house of a drunken man who never cares for him, and when his mother died, Bryn was all alone. Nobody wondered when he was framed for raping a young girl and sent to prison. To the great surprise of the townfolks, when his conviction ends, Bryn comes back home. The only person who is willing to hire him is Reverend Ian, a man that even before Bryn always looked upon as a good man. But while Bryn was in prison, Ian changed: his wife killed herself soon after murdering their newborn child, and Ian was never the same after that. He lost his faith, and only the cares of Mrs Robson, his housekeeper, keep him going. Despite that Ian hires Bryn, since he sees in the boy's eyes the desperation of not having anything and anyone in the world.
It's a mutual need that brings Ian and Bryn together: Ian is searching for the family he lost, and Bryn for the lover he always dreamed. Even before going in prison, Bryn had "unclean" thoughts on the pious reverend, and his experience in prison only let him with the knowledge that sex between men is possible, but that is a dirty act. Bryn can't possible believe that the perfect Ian is willing to have a relationship with him.
Actually I think that, from Ian's side, there is more the need to protect and having someone to care of than love; it's strong, I know, but I felt like Ian was more a pater familiae than a lover for Bryn. He wants to protect Bryn, he wants to hide him from the ugly thing that is the outside world, and if to do so he has to be Bryn's lover, to fulfill even that side of Bryn's need, than so it be. There is an hole in Ian's past, something I didn't catch quite well: why he became a Reverend? he was from a wealthy family, from what I gathered he had a strict upbringing, but actually I didn't find in him the fire that usually lit a man of faith, even if that fire is smothered by a tragic event. To me Ian seemed more like a man with an extreme need to love and care for people, but not in a religious way, but actually in a very personally way, he needs the feeling to be part of a family, to be whole again. In a way Ian is too selfish to be a good reverend.
On the other hand, Bryn is eager as well, but not for something he lost, but for something he never had; Bryn wants a family, and at first he is willing to barter his body for that. All he knows is that his body is the only worthy thing he has, and that using it he can have shelter and protection. I really think that, with his behavior, in a way he corrupted Ian. I don't think Ian would have ever thought to that possible evolution of their relationship if not for Bryn's attempt to "pay" him for his kindness. Or at least not so soon. I think it's an obvious conclusion of both men's predisposition: Bryn is gay, and he is young, and he has needs; Ian wants to take care of Bryn, and of Bryn's needs, any of them.
I like also how the author dealt with the townfolks, not like they were living in a fairy land where the good Reverend can do everything he wants. There is not easy acceptance from who find out, but more a resignation, like they understand that is not something they can fight. I think this is a righter attitude than some other quite unbelievable situation I read in similar gay historical romances. Said that, the author is quite conscious that she is writing a romance, and a romance has to be romantic, even if it's not realistic. Again, I think that Jan Irving does know well the art of writing a romance with that old fashioned taste of my teenager memories.』
(Tender, harsh, uplifting, a gem of a story!) 『Jan Iriving has given us one captivating, stirring and beautiful story in The Hired Man. All 4 characters shine, their interaction and story leaping from the pages and grabbing me from page 1, the reverend who has lost his faith, the young abused ex-convict, an old caring woman and one silent child. The setting is a small rural town, where the voice of God rules and it inhabitants could be as caring as they could be mean and unforgiving. Life has been cruel to both Ian and Bryn. In their hours of need and despair, these two tormented men somehow find each other, as their hearts call, hear and understand the other. But how could they ever hope to be together. Ian is the respected reverend, loved and held in high regard by his flock of sheep. All through his life he only does what is expected of him and haunted by his dead wife and child. By contrast Bryan is the wild one, abused through his young life, never hears a kind word and treated like dirt by the town which is all too willing to condemn him the second time. Their love seems doom right from the beginning, the obstacles in their path seem insurmountable. This story is filled with so much feelings. The writer expressing the two men's torment, despair, longing, anger, pain, hurt, vulnerability so well. And yet the story is filled with hope too as both men find the strength and courage to reach for what they want, as one child breaks free and one old woman finds it her mission to protect her little family from harm. This is one well written, unforgettable and expressive gem of a story. Love it!』
(The Hired Man) 『The book, The Hired Man, by Jan Irving is a touching tale of two men trying to find themselves in a time and place that wouldn't seem to accept them for who they really are. The widowed Reverend Ian finds new life in comforting and caring for his new hired hand, Bryn, recently released from prison and having to return to a community that shunned him and a father who abused him.
Each man learns the inner secrets, and desires, of the other as they grow closer and their inevitable bond strengthens.
Despite the hurdles and burdens brought about by the era in which they live, Reverend Ian and Bryn try to find their way to contentment. It's a journey fraught with pain and sadness and seems unreachable.
This story was beautifully written. The characters come alive and their growth is consistent and logical. It was easy to get wrapped up in the story and be moved by Ian and Bryn's pain and share the joy of their victories.』 『Reverend Ian Kenyon knows the harsh sting of life and how a man can suffer a loss of faith. The death of his wife and newborn son shook him to his foundations, and he's been drifting ever since. Bryn Morgan has returned home from prison to the only family he has-an abusive father who abandoned him to the law when Bryn was unjustly accused of rape. Still poor, lost, and shunned, Bryn searches for work, any work that will allow him to survive. Reluctantly moved by Bryn's plight, Ian hires the young man to work on his farm despite Bryn's prickly, defensive nature. Soon Ian fears his growing feelings of grace and compassion might be something else, something more... heated. Whatever the cause, he knows they are impossible to pursue, because Heaven only knows what would happen if a man of God began to have forbidden feelings for his hired man.』
price：$15.99
Adamant Media Corporation
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A patchwork of small-town American Midwestern life) 『For someone who grew up in a small town (pop. 1000) in southern Indiana, I immediately drew a connection with Winesburg. Anderson's portrayal of the local residents leads people to believe that small town life can have the same problems as city life.』
(Caricatures of small-town life) 『This is a collection of stories of people in small-town America at the turn of the last century. The book attempts to provide insight by presenting "grotesques" or caricatures of people and their lives. The major themes are loneliness and failure, and so one can imagine that the tales are not very uplifting. The book is fairly easy to read and depicts a suprising view of pre-industrial life.』
(A classic American book) 『Sherwood Anderson's one great book contains the moving stories of the odd characters of one small American Midwest tone. His exact and lyrical pictures of this world gave new meaning to the depiction of the everyday in American Literature.』 『This Elibron Classics book is a reprint of a 1919 edition by B. W. Huebsch, New York.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A good story hampered by the storyteller) 『I had read a lot of praise for this book which got me excited when I started it. Unfortunately, I find that I can't heap the same amount of positivity myself.
My main problem with the novel is the language and the way O'Neill chose to tell the story. Often, the book went from narrative to dialogue to thought - sometimes in the the same paragraph - without proper transition. Add to that the heavy use of old Irish slang and some parts simply became a wash of words where I had to guess what was going on.
To be honest, there's a very good story present. The relationship between the boys is great to read and McMurrough, with his multiple voices, is one of the most memorable and unique characters I've come across in a long time. It's just that all of these positive qualities are buried by the author's storytelling.
If this book were present in a more traditional sense I'd undoubtedly have enjoyed it more. As it stands, however, I finished it more out of stubbornness and will power, rather than desire.
Before buying this book, read through the first couple of pages - if you can understand them then go ahead and purchase it. If not, you might want to pass because it won't change much.』
(Beautiful but Frustrating) 『I did not enjoy actually reading this, but I truly loved the story. The main story about 2 friends that swim together and discover that they have fallen in love with each other is very well done and I think quite original how it plays out. However, there are some side stories about religion, politics and war that actually just distract from the main focus of the book. Several times I wanted to take scissors and just cut out chapters of the book (the pregnant sister in law, the intrusive aunt, all unnecessary and frustrating). Also, just skip the entire first chapter, it has nothing to do with anything. The language was quite difficult, perhaps because I'm not Irish or it's not 1915. However, I could look beyond that because of the beautiful story and a few very sexy moments. Despite my complaints, I really do recommend the book, but wait until you have a summer to really take your time with this one, because it's not an easy read.』
(O"Neill's writing is as precise and coordinated as a clockmaker's work. Outstanding Book!) 『At Swim Two Boys has really affected me. It took a few pages to become accustomed to the cadence of the language&I kept my iPhone handy with the Google dictionary for the abundant unfamiliar words in both English and Gaelic. In a short time I was given over to the characters and Glasthule outside Dublin in the midst of occupation and war. The romantic love story is beautiful as is the mentor-love. O'Neill's precise writing includes very successful descriptions of sex-without much use of the lame sex narration found in potboilers. I am in a state of loss: I feel bereft since I finished reading the book today. My loss is doubled: I am no longer accompanied by the book's engaging characters&I mourn the loss of life inflicted by armed conflict. I am rereading the book now to review all the early references. Honestly I couldn't put this book down and I can't recommend it strongly enough! If you have a brain and a heart it will touch you most fundamentally. 』
(Great use of language but so Irish it needs an interpreter) 『Frankly I found this a tough read! It centers around a small Dublin community at the time of the Easter rebellion (1916) Portions reminded me of Virginia Woolf in the stream of consciousness technique, especially with descriptions of the ocean. The point of view shifts rapidly from character to character and the various locations are not always clearly indicated. The use of language is very poetic and at times quite inspired, but the frequent Gaelic passages and colloquialisms, though obviously typical of the Irish working class, probably need footnotes to aid the reader. The author shows knowledge of the Sinn Fein movement, the Irish rebellion and the general poverty prevalent at that time. The homosexual longings of several of the young men contrast with the extremely Catholic environment and rigid codes of conduct expected. In Part Two there is good dramatic tension and some passages of real beauty, but further editing and revision might improve this book considerably by making it more accessible to the general reader.』
("The Evil Thing is the English in Ireland") 『At Swim, Two Boys: A Novel
"The Evil Thing is The English in Ireland"
"A moment - then all of a glow the sun is on Jim's face. He looks up where the clouds have parted. The sun shines and bathes the world, and the land trembles at the touch. How green are the fields, how lush the grass. Each blade of grass glistens, and the leaves of the trees and hedges glisten with a silvery light all their own. The crows above cease their mockery. The fat contented cows look up in wonder. How rich is this land. It is a rich and rare land. Why wouldn't it be rare, fed on the martyred dead?"
Jamie O'Neill's "At Swim, Two Boys" can be read on several levels. On one level, it is a love story between two adolescent boys: one educated, privileged and destined for success; the other destitute, partially crippled, seduced and corrupted by the gentry, and likely condemned to a Dickensian life among the poor.
On another level, it is a rich social and political history of the buildup to the Easter Rising of 1916 which, coming during the First World War, provides a natural dramatic backdrop. Irish Nationalism, Wolf Tone, the Green Flag and the Red Hand, Parnell , Roger Casement and the whole raft of heroes, traitors and martyrs figures in.
At yet another point, it is an evocation of the rich literary heritage of Ireland: Joyce's Ulysses and Dubliners; Yeat's poems and plays, and Wilde's iconoclasm and social commentary. There is enough material in O'Neill's book to keep your interest for at least a couple of weeks. (After all, it took O'Neill ten years of working as a night porter at a London psychiatric institution to write it) O'Neill's style is intimidating at first ---local geographic references, Irish idioms and gaelic phrases. Several reviewers have faulted him for his hermetic difficulty-- but once you get the hang of it, it's understandable. (Joyce was no quick and easy read, either) The characters are well-developed and complex. Jim Mack, the senstitive, intelligent boy, is dogged by a brother fighting in Gallipoli and a bourgeoise father. Doyler is the patriotic - even radical - Irish "everyman." With his winning grin and boyish charm he's extremely likeable. MacMurrough is the most complicated character, modeled on Wilde and also imprisoned by the British for sodomy, he is apparently schizophrenic, possessed by the voices of conscience and of experience. Beginning as the seducer and corrupter, he becomes the protector and mentor. It has been many years since I've read a novel with as much substance, charm and emotion as O'Neill's "At Swim, Two Boys." Hopefully, there will be more to follow.
』 『
Set in Dublin,At Swim, Two Boysfollows the year to Easter 1916, the time of Ireland's brave but fractured uprising against British rule. O'Neill tells the story of the love of two boys: Jim, a naive and reticent scholar and the younger son of the foolish aspiring shopkeeper Mr. Mack, and Doyler, the dark, rough-diamond son of Mr. Mack's old army pal. Doyler might once have made a scholar like Jim, might once have had prospects like Jim, but his folks sent him to work, and now, schoolboy no more, he hauls the parish midden cart, with socialism and revolution and willful blasphemy stuffed under his cap.
And yet the future is rosy, Jim's father is sure. His elder son is away fighting the Hun for God and the British Army, and he has such plans for Jim and their corner shop empire. But Mr. Mack cannot see that the landscape is changing, nor does he realize the depth of Jim's burgeoning friendship with Doyler. Out at the Forty Foot, that great jut of rock where gentlemen bathe in the scandalous nude, the two boys meet day after day. There they make a pact: Doyler will teach Jim to swim, and in a year, Easter 1916, they will swim the bay to the distant beacon of Muglins Rock and claim that island for themselves.
Ten years in the writing,At Swim, Two Boyshas already caused a sensation in England and Ireland, earning lavish praise for its masterful portrayal of class, tradition, and the conflict that has haunted Ireland for centuries. Jamie O'Neill's poetic and evocative storytelling makes him a natural successor to James Joyce and Flann O'Brien.
At its heart,At Swim, Two Boysis a tender and tragic love story that will resonate with all readers. But it is also a compelling and important work, a novel about people caught up in the tide of history -- set in a place and culture both unfamiliar and unforgettable.』
『You may have read the hype. Irishman Jamie O'Neill was working as a London hospital porter when his 10-year labor of love, the 200,000-word manuscript ofAt Swim, Two Boys, written on a laptop during quiet patches at work, was suddenly snapped up for a hefty six-figure advance. For once, the book fully deserves the hype.
In the spring of 1915, Jim Mack and "the Doyler," two Dublin boys, make a pact to swim to an island in Dublin Bay the following Easter. By the time they do, Dublin has been consumed by the Easter Uprising, and the boys' friendship has blossomed into love--a love that will in time be overtaken by tragedy. O'Neill's prose, playing merrily with vocabulary, syntax, and idiom, has unsurprisingly drawn comparisons to James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, but in his creation of comic characters (such as Jim's pathetic but irrepressible father) and in the sheer scale of his work, Charles Dickens springs to mind first. But Dickens never wrote a love story between young men as achingly beautiful as this.
In the character of Anthony MacMurrough, who is haunted by voices as he pursues his illegal and dangerous desire for Dublin boys, O'Neill has created a complex and fascinating center to his novel, rescuing the love story from mawkishness, and allowing a serious meditation on history, politics, and desire. For as Ireland seeks its own future free of British government, so Jim, Doyle, and MacMurrough look back to Sparta to find a way to live. As Dr Scrotes, one of MacMurrough's voices, commands:
Help these boys build a nation of their own. Ransack the histories for clues to their past. Plunder the literature for words they can speak.
In this massive, enthralling, and brilliant debut, Jamie O'Neill has indeed done just that: provided a nation for what Walt Whitman calls, in O'Neill's epigraph, "the love of comrades."--Alan Stewart, Amazon.co.uk』
price：$44.95
HarperAudio
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Tales of the City) 『Does every gay man start their gay reading with this book? Possibly the answer is yes, and I think that's a wonderful thing. It's funny but real, risky but ultimately safe (like a mother's approving hug), and it captures a moment in time that is the foundation of contemporary gay society. For any gay man who realizes and respects how significant the 70s were for gay life, owning this book is just as important as owning CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC by the Village People or cherishing those Tom of Finland drawings.』
(Over the Rainbow) 『If you're looking for a wonderful trip to a fantasy land, this is the book for you! The good news is that the trip won't end after this book. There are five more books in the series.
I was given this book over twenty years ago and I immediately went out and bought each of the others after I had read the preceding ones. I have read through the entire series at least three times and it has been just as refreshing each time I have done so.
If you're gay, you will love these books. They will take you on a nostalgic trip back to a time when gay life was indeed gay. Of course, it was a bit crazy, just as these books are, but that was part of the charm of coming of age.
Whether or not you are gay, you will fall in love with the endearing characters in this book. They represent a cross-section of humanity. They get involved in some of the most delightfully comical situations. The book is full of laughs.
I especially appreciate that since I am the author of a series of comedic books. [...] Armistead Maupin has undoubtedly been a significant influence upon my own writing.
The nice thing about this book is that you could read it over the course of a long rainy afternoon. It could also be savored like a box of chocolates by just reading a chapter at a time. That is not my style. I love an engaging book and this is one that will make you want to keep turning the pages.
This book, as is the case for the others in the series, is bound to become a classic. It paints a wonderful picture of a simpler time in the beautiful surroundings of San Francisco. Get ready for a trip over the rainbow.
Davis Aujourd'hui, author of "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude" 』
(No heart!) 『I know I am going to be in the minority here, but this is the most overrated novel I have read in a very long time. In fact, I did not even keep it after reading, but rather donated it to charity. I had heard many good things about this text for years, and finally picked it up. Based on reviews, and what I had heard I was expecting a book in the vein of Dickens, with characters that leapt off the pages and spoke to the human condition. Only one character, in my view, lived up to that expectation. The landlady of Barbary Lane, Mrs. Madrigal. The other characters felt one dimensional, and as a reader I was completely uninterested in their lives. This is a dangerous thing for a character driven novel to do. Tales of the City felt like a soap opera to me, not at all the interesting character study so many have made it out to be. My advice, read E.L. Doctorow instead for great realistic characters. Or, if you want the San Francisco setting, then read Christopher Moore's vampire series set in San Fran. This series might not be considered "great literature", but at least you recognize the characters and see their humanity. As for the Tales of the City volumes...my trip through those tales is cut short. 』
(Maupin: Well known, but new to me.) 『Who am I to review this man's writings? Still, it's fun to be asked to share my ignorance. Many books, by todays' authors, are touted as being hysterically funny, etc. Unfortunately, for me, I find that although I am said to have an excellent sense of humor, these fall rather flat well before the end of the stories.
Maupin allows us to enter the world of the Gay and Straight communities, without forcing either on us as being the "correct" one. I enjoyed how brief he made each chapter, yet (at any given point) tied them together and continued the stories of the several lives, to whom he has introduced us.
There were some "whimsical" moments, and fewer "outright humorous" scenes, however, I had no trouble finishing the book, and look forward to reading his next two installments.
As they used to say on one of the 1950's Teen Dance Shows, on TV, "It's a catchy tune, but a little hard to dance to. I'll rate it as a 7. I will rate this book with 3 stars. If I had laughed, 'til I had tears in my eyes, I'd have given it 5 stars.』
(An All-Time Favorite) 『This book will make you laugh, cry, and leave you hungry for more. Do yourself a favor and read the entire series. Maupin creates a coterie of friends that I love and revisit often. They may be fictional, but I think of his characters as family.』 『All six Tales of the City novels available in one audio edition with a special introduction by the author Armistead Maupin's uproarious and moving Tales of the City novels have earned a unique niche in American literature; not only as matchless entertainment, but as indelible documents of cultural change in the seventies and eighties Among the cast of this groundbreaking saga are the lovelorn residents of 28 Barbary Lane: the bewildered but aspiring Mary Ann Singleton; the libidinous Brian Hawkins; Mona Ramsey, still in a sixties trance; Michael "Mouse" Tolliver, forever in bright-eyed pursuit of Mr. Right; and their marijuana-growing landlady, the indefatigable Mrs. Madrigal. "Maupin, with all his elegance and charm, has found a place among the classics." -The Observer Includes: Tales of the City More Tales of the City Further Tales of the City Babycakes Significant Others Sure of You
』
『Since 1976, Maupin'sTales of the Cityhas etched itself upon the hearts and minds of its readers, both straight and gay. From a groundbreaking newspaper serial in theSan Francisco Chronicleto a bestselling novel to a critically acclaimed PBS series,Tales(all six of them) contains the universe--if not in a grain of sand, then in one apartment house.』
price：$26.99
Adamant Media Corporation
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Outstanding Audio Book) 『This review is for the audio book narrated by Martin Jarvis. This is one of the better audio books I've listened to in a while from the perspective of the narrator doing excellent voice characterizations. Jarvis was able to make each character sound distinct and they each sounded just like I would have imagined. Bounderby was thunderous, Tom Gradgrind sounded like a whelp, and Blackpool sounded meek and humble. It made for an enjoyable listen that made it very easy to follow the characters.
I've always been a fan of Dickens and have read most of his books, but this was my first time through "Hard Times". As with most of Dickens novels, the characters are almost caricatures, but this method does a good job of pointing out human strengths and weaknesses. This is a short novel for Dickens, but still did a good job exploring the impact of what would happen if science is emphasized too much over emotional education.
He once again highlighted the problems with class distinctions in English society at that time. I like how his humble characters have more wisdom than those that are rich or of high social position.
I highly recommend this audio book as a great way to be introduced to Dicken's "Hard Times".』
(Zzzzzzz) 『I found Hard Times to be a particularly boring novel. I also purchased the matching audiobook which I listened to on a long drive. There should be a warning label! The darn thing puts you to sleep faster than listening to Stephen Hawking all day...anesthetized! Why not one star? I like Dickens, what can I say?』
(Better Reading Better Writing) 『To write an outline of Hard Times or Dickens' work would not be necessary. His writing has withstood the test of time, and is well know. To give encouragement to would-be Dickens' readers and Hard Times readers does seem like time well spent.
Hard Times ventures from other Dickens' books in the writing style lending a departure from Dickens' previous descriptive formats. In this particular book, Dickens lends skill, imagination, and panache to English language usage. He breathes life in to the language of the novel, and he remains a master of dramatic setting and story line. When people say, "Read good books, it will rub off on you." Hard Times comes first to my mind. Therefore, a reason to read Hard Times would be to improve your own reading and writing.
I admit some of the character's lives are depressing. When I looked back upon the entire book, and wondered if Hard Times would differ if set in present day with cell phones, PDAs, the Internet, electricity, airplanes, automobiles, and so many distractions. My guess would be - probably not. Would Louisa Gradgrind's life have taken a different course if she were living in today's world? My guess would be, perhaps, a slight shift on her circumstances, and, again, probably not. Dickens' charms include being able to put his finger on a character type and bring it to life. This is why I'd call certain present day figures, "A Mr. Bounderby" or "A Gradgrind". The Whelp or Tom Gradgrind remains alive and kicking; I've met him.
My recommendation: Read Hard Times. You will be a better reader and writer for it. 』
(Mr. Dickens slams industrial horror scenes.) 『Charles Dickens, as is his custom, slams into so-called civilized 19th century British industrial scenes in a smoky place called Coketown. He writes with a sharp knife about poverty, hunger, cruel management and lack of compassion. Humor here is on the grim side.』
(Not his best by a long shot but here's what I found fascinating:) 『This book has the feel of something thrown together to meet contractual agreements or to pay the bills. There is a passel of things in the book which are inconsistent or unsatisfactory. The continued presence of Ms. Sparsit on the payroll after she has been made redundant; Blackpool's reason for defying the union; and Sissy in her entirety, for instance. Still, this is not a bad tale and parts of it are enthralling. What I found intriguiging was the obliquely described opium session between the cad and the whelp; Dickens' use of the word 'noodle' as mid-1860's vernacular slang; the mention of walnut ketchup which is still being made today and is something that I should like to try; and an introduction to a pretty decent alcoholic drink, to wit warmed sherry with lemon peel and nutmeg. I used cream sherry to make a concoction very much like a smooth-edged hot toddy; it comes highly recommended to anyone in need of a hot toddy. What I find I like even more is plain, unheated, cheap cream sherry and lemon peel which is a surprisingly excellent combination. Having said that, this book did re-introduce me to the spice nutmeg which is heady indeed--the Chinese would call it 'heaty'--and deeply satisfying.』 『This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1854 edition by Bernhard Tauchnitz, Leipzig.』
price：$2.10
Harper Paperbacks
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Bitter and Sweet are Matters of Tastes) 『Let's cut to the chase: "Bittersweet" is a lesbian love story. It begins in Philadelphia in 1874, but the couple, a 6' school teacher, Imogen and her former artistic student, Sarah, soon move to Nevada.
You'll see no summaries of the plot, because there is no simple plot. Rather the novel is more a depressing epic of struggle. As another reader suggested, be sure you've had your Prosac today before picking it up.
I'm a crusty 60 year old guy, who prefers escapist literature--real life is depressing enough. I don't enjoy depressing epics, least of all love stories, and cannot relate to lesbian love stories. So this book isn't for me, and I gave up part way. The great strength of Nevada Barr's other works is her ability to appeal to male readers. I guestimate this book as a 1 for heterosexual male readers, a 4 for heterosexual female readers, and a 5 for lesbian readers, working out to 2 or 3 for "average" readers---which only points out how absurd the concept of "average" is in many cases.』
(A "different" Sort of Western Novel) 『I selected this novel because of the author, Nevada Barr. I have never read any of her work but have heard great things about her mystery series involving a park ranger. Supposedly, they are a "different" sort of mystery. Since this was a stand-alone book I thought I'd give it a try. Overall I can say Ms Barr impresses me as a writer. This is basically a western novel but definitely a "different" sort of western.
Ms Barr's word choice is superb. Her descriptions of the locale, the scenery, the very sounds and smells of each scene put the reader right there. Her characters are well rounded and react to their situations as real people would. They change and grow and evolve throughout the book and the reader grows with them. The emotions they go through are so real that we feel it too. Almost too real. The novel itself is bleak as can be and the overall experience was one emotional catastrophe after another. It centers around Imogene, a lady school teacher in rural 1800's Pennsylvania and Sarah, one of her female students. Through a series of circumstances they are forced to move to Reno Nevada and then once again to the middle of nowhere in Nevada where they manage a stagecoach stop. Sarah grows from a weak-kneed wishy-washy girl to a strong willed matron of the West. Along the way is one personal tragedy after another leading to what could be a rather depressing reading experience. If you don't like to read depressing novels then this may not be for you. However, Ms Barr's story-telling ability makes this more of a poignant work than just a novel of tragedy. The main characters overcome (or succomb to, depending on your point of view) rape, spousal abuse, being outcast from their homes, the death of an adopted child, the stigma of lesbian love, and of course the trials and tribulations of being women in the West during that era. But through it all is the experience of being there. It is a story of true love and the willingness to live outside accepted practices...and all of the consequences that are thereby inherent.
I'll be happy to try out her mystery series now and will expect a "different" sort of mystery than the formula series we see so often.』
(3 words - depressing! depressing! depressing!) 『Well written, but tragedy filled and depressing with no emotional or romantic payoffs! You are right there with the characters through every tragic event that besets them but you feel as though all the moments of joy, emotional closeness or romance all happen in between chapters in a world you the reader are not invited to share in - it is only eluded to in between tragedies. I really wanted to love this book but but instead felt kind of mad and cheated by the end of it all.』
(Bittersweet) 『Bittersweet is a huge departure from the Anna Pigeon novels, but a wonderful "bittersweet" window into our past when women had little or no rights at all to anything but marriage. It's a wonderful book about the power of love.』
(More like "bitter, predictable lesbian teenage angst") 『Bittersweet? More like "bitter lesbian teenage angst." I've liked the books about the National Parks and got this hoping for another entertaining read, but the book is terrible.
Perhaps since she's written mysteries for so long, she doesn't know how to not telegraph everything that's going to happen in the story. For example, she begs someone not to give her mailing address to anyone else; guess what?, her archenemy tracks her down. If the proverbial rifle is hung on the wall in the first chapter, it shouldn't come with a sign attached describing its potential uses.
Along those lines, lets not forget the archtypes that all the characters seem to be cast from. Lesbians: kind, compassionate, even-tempered, unselfish, and wise. Heterosexual men: if they don't beat women, then they cow to people who do. Heterosexual women: beat by men, or cowed by men who are afraid of men who beat women. Or in general, if you're not a lesbian, then you suffer from some deep character flaw.
And then there's the angst. The emotional melodrama was so annoying that I actually couldn't bring myself to finish the book. It's layered on so thick that one could mistake it for parady.
Find something else to read.』 『Award-winning author Nevada Barr reveals another side to her remarkable storytelling prowess with this heart-wrenching yet tender tale of two women whose boundless devotion to each other is continually challenged in nineteenth century America.』
price：$5.42
Bold Strokes Books
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Do the Crime Do the Time) 『I had a great time reading this book, which I read in no time. This was the first book read from this author but it won't be the last. Assume the position on a comfy recliner or reading niche and enjoy this book!』 『Two women meet in an alley and fulfill their mutual desire with a night of passion, neither expecting more than the few lusty hours they shared. Weeks later Morgan Bradley and Parker Casey meet again, but this time one is a law professor and the other her student. A series of events lands them in the middle of a high-profile murder trial, but the twists and turns of the case are no match for the spiral of increasing attraction as they work side by side in the defense of justice. It Should Be a Crime is a story of forbidden romance coupled with high-stakes courtroom drama.』
price：$1.80
Dreamspinner Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Bravo! Why settle for anything less?) 『Why settle for a second-rate read? Shades of Gray [ASIN:161581079X Shades of Gray] is top-notch. It's got it all: plot, character development, romance and - if your honest in your reading, it can likly bring tears to your eyes. It's not often that a book can create the image of genuine people, put them in difficult and interesting circumstances and, as an added plus, introduce hot but real man-on-man sex. I not sure why so many of the writers of such genre pieces are women - and certainly there is nothing overtly "distaff" in the presentation of this book, but gay or straight, if you've a heart, you'll relate to it. Can't wait to see what Ms. McKinley offers us next. Bravo』
(a very good book) 『I`ve just finished this book and have to say it the writing is really god. Can`t wait to read more by this author.』
(A great new writer) 『I picked up "Gray Areas" for some gay-themed mystery/suspense reading while on vacation, and was delighted with this book. The writing is far above-average for the genre, and tells the story of how the lives of a lifetime criminal - who happens to be gay - and a buttoned-up FBI agent collide. A suspenseful page-turner, it's also a wonderful character study of two men who seem at first to have nothing in common. The writing is taut and economical. Minor characters are developed with the same care as the protagonists, creating a richness and complexity that is lacking in so much gay-themed fiction. It's such a pleasure to stumble across a writer who creates an effective suspense thriller that's also well-written. That a straight woman author was able to so convincingly get under the skin of gay characters is a testament to a new talent on the scene. I eagerly await future books by Brooke McKinley and wholeheartedly recommend "Gray Areas" (and I'm not that easy to please, believe me).』
(Quality writing but not an easy read in some parts!) 『I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing here but a bit more careful editing would be nice as some parts tend to be too long and a bit repetitive but this is just my view. On the other hand we know how understaffed these small M/M publishers are. The setting is very unique, the plot harsh and riveting, punctuated by raw emotions and nail biting moments. And what could be more romantic than a FBI agent falling for his very own informant!
Danny and Miller are solid and very well flushed out characters. They are not perfect and are your very anti heroes. As for the supporting characters from Miller's older FBI colleague to the villains we love to hate, they are three dimensional, playing solid roles in the plot. There is one part which makes me cringe and I admit I skipped it, wondering if this ghastliness is really necessary even if it is all too real in the underworld of crime.
I love Danny's character. He is as tough as he is vulnerable, surviving in the violent underworld with his wits and brains. His predicament is touching when one false move at the age of 18 means no turning back and one could easily understands his love-hate relationship with the crime boss himself. On the other hand I really dislike Miller's character in the first half of the book. He is supposedly a tough FBI agent but is such a coward when it comes to his sexual orientation, something which I could not accept even if the writer tries to justify it from all angles. Fortunately this character manages to redeem himself and what a heart gripping scene that is! There are lots of angst filled moments in the plot which again makes this book not an easy read at all. That said I enjoy it and look forward to more from this writer!』 『Miller Sutton, a by-the-book FBI agent, is starting to see some troubling shades of gray in his black-and-white world. He comes face-to-face with his doubts in the person of Danny Butler, a mid-level drug runner Miller hopes to use to catch a much larger fish: Roberto Hinestroza, a drug lord Miller has pursued for years. Danny has no interest in being a witness against his boss, both out of a sense of twisted loyalty and because he knows double-crossing Hinestroza is a sure death sentence. But he reluctantly agrees to cooperate, and as he suspects, it doesn't take long for Hinestroza to figure out the betrayal. Miller is surprised to discover Danny's not the career-criminal lowlife he expected; at the same time, Danny finds himself helplessly attracted to Miller's innate goodness. They barely begin to explore the sparking attraction between them when Hinestroza's hitman tracks them down, and then they're on the run, both for their lives and for any kind of love.』
price：$5.10
Brisk Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A winning combination) 『5 established, popular authors take the word "outsiders"&return to you 5 unique&entertaining variations on the theme. From out-of-towners to lives outside of "normal" society to out-of-doors, all different angles are covered in tightly packed stories filled with wonderful characters.
Lots of enjoyment&variety in 1 book. Now, that's a heckuva deal.
tlc [...]』
(Something for everyone) 『Collection of short stories/novellas by Lynn Ames, Georgia Beers, JD Glass, SX Meagher and Susan Smith, that have the common theme of 'Outsiders', but each author 'interpreted' that theme very differently.
The book promises 'something for everyone', which I think also implies the reverse, that not everything is your cup of tea. Both are true for me.
The story that shines most, for me, is the one by Susan Smith, in which a butch lesbian falls for a transman. The questions that come up because of that are common in Smith's work, and they always trigger something in me. If we just got over this identity crap our lives would be so much easier, I think. Smith's exploration of these questions is moving and the story is very well written. After not liking Smith's last novel I was so, so very happy to find myself liking this story.
Georgia Beers' story is also very well written and has an intriguing premise. I'm always happy to read something by her.
I liked SX Meagher's story, the fluffiest of the bunch (just an observation, no criticism as such, I like fluff), but I really think her talents, i.e., really exploring her characters, come through better in novel format.
I don't think I've ever read anything by Lynn Ames, I liked the story ok.
Finally, I just don't get why I don't like JD Glass' stuff. It's well written, but the characters just don't interest me. It didn't help that they were recurring characters from a novel I hadn't liked. It would have been interesting, for me, to see if I liked something by her that wasn't linked to something I couldn't connect with before.
I'd give the Smith and the Beers story more than 3 stars, definitely 4, maybe even 5 for Smith, I think the book is worth buying just for these two stories alone, but it averages out at three.』
price：$5.10
Torquere Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Bareback) 『An absolutely amazing story. A gem of a steaming hot cowboy love story that is never over the top and feels achingly real and human. It's a story about human beings and how no one is perfect and the fact that everyone can slip up and still be forgiven. It's all about how people have to work to keep a relationship healthy and true. An honest version of life and our own imperfections and the beauty of it all. An amazing read. Over and over and over again!』
(COWBOYS I'D LIKE TO...) 『JUST THAT I LOVED THIS STORY. IT IS A KEEPER AND PLAN TO RE-READ IT AGAIN. THE FOLLOW UP IS " NATURAL DISATER ". IT IS THE FINAL? CHAPTER OF THE STORY. IT LEFT AN OPEN ENDING FOR ANOTHER BOOK. IF YOU LIKE COWBOYS YOU'LL LOVE THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY, WORKERS, AND THE GREAT COWBOY DREAM COME TRUE.』
(Heartwarming and then devastating, but overall, very good) 『Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 8/10
PROS: - Lifelike characters--they're not super funny or achingly sweet or out-of-this-world attractive, but they're real. - Realistic progression in the relationship. They start out as convenient sex buddies and gradually become friends, getting closer and closer until they realize, sort of out of the blue one day, that they're very important to each other. - Shows the ups and downs (WAY downs, in a few cases) of a very realistic relationship between two masculine, hard-working guys. The scenes when one of them is comforting the other are tender but not saccharine, and the fights and arguments are well written. - I love Lego, and it amused me to no end to think of the characters not only putting Lego kits together, but also separating the pieces again so that they were all back with the kits they came with. - Loved the secondary characters, especially the Boss and the other hands, most of whom are incredibly accepting even when Jake and Tor start being more public in their displays of affection.
CONS: - The sex starts right off the bat--within 10 pages or so. - The angst level is unbelievable during one extended section of the book. Jake and Tor are apart and completely miserable for over 60 pages, and it was really hard for me to read those chapters because both characters are in such heart-wrenching pain for so long. - I'm echoing a comment made in another review: the grammatical subject is missing from a lot of sentences in the characters' dialog: "Want you." "Need you." "Will." Etc. Hate that.
Overall comments: This was the first m/m book I ever read, almost a year ago, and the middle was so painful to read that I almost said "to heck with it" and didn't finish it the first time. But knowing in advance about the difficult part of the story, this time I was able to focus more on the book as a whole. It's got a lot of sex, but it's a beautiful portrayal of a relationship that's realistic and RIGHT, mountains and valleys and everything in between.』
(Great book!) 『Actually, I would like to rate it 5 stars but its first half erotica stories lost my point. Recommended!』
(Really excellent love story) 『This book has enjoyable characters and a poignant love story. It's not overly sappy or formulaic, even though boy gets boy in the end. The main characters are adults, with adult baggage, trying to make a life together. My only complaint is the 'cowboyese'. The author seems to think cowboys do not use personal pronouns, which is odd.
Anyway, I couldn't put this book down. I cried at the painful places in their relationship where they hurt one another and I was thoroughly satisfied by the end. Plus, the sex scenes were HOT.
Buy this.』 『Jake Taggart’s life was almost perfect--he’d worked hard to overcome his past, and he loved his job as foreman on a ranch in Arkansas. The only thorn in his side was a dark eyed cowboy named Tornado whose stubborn attitude brought frustration and confusion to Jake’s mostly happy existence. A late spring rainstorm brings out hidden passions and unleashes a chain of events neither of them expected--and eventually brings about events that threaten to destroy them and what they worked to create. Strong wills and forceful personalities make for intense encounters.... but is it enough to keep love alive?』
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