price：$74.95
Duke University Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Anger and Precision) 『Edelman, Lee. "No Future: Queer Theory and the Death Drive", Duke University Press, 2004.
Anger and Precision
Amos Lassen
Lee Edelman in "No Future" claims that the threat that some feel that is posed by homosexuality is an issue that deals with the idea that because gay men and women do not reproduce, there is an ever-present social threat. If we look at history and see that the present is often concerned with making a better place for the future, it is fairly easy to understand that without reproduction there is not much of a future. Edelman claims that this non-reproduction as actually a social good. To show this to be true, Edelman looks at aspects we have seen in culture as in explaining these, he gets trapped in his own theoretical language. The contribution to theory cannot be discounted but to understand the book one must have a clear mind as the language is not easy to understand. Edelman comes across as angry yet eloquent, direct and clever, rhetorical and precise. Edelman sees children as the center of the issue and argues that homosexuals need to abandon a feeling of accommodation and take their place as a negative force. The book is quite powerful and polemic and while not an easy read, it has a great deal to say. 』
(No Future) 『This surely is the death drive. Deathly because it is nowhere near the jouissance of living `queer.' The problem is that Edelman has defined the queer. To Edelman, the Queer disrupts the Symbolic with an anti-politic, anti-oppositional oppositional movement. Because the Queer only disidentifies, the proper queer project now, after Edelman, would be to repudiate the work he set forth, or at least not pay attention to it, the %.1 percent who (can) read it. An interesting and obnoxious book. If you follow the trends that are pioneered in the very fetish-y Duke University Press, pick this one up, now.』
(does politics need futurity?) 『This is a smart, funny, and challenging book. (It does require fluency in theory-speak, largely of the Lacan dialect. So Edelman is writing largely for academics of a certain ilk. Fair enough, but I wonder what these ideas would look like if they were written with a larger public in mind--it seems to me Edelman's challenge to the child-driven purity politics of the US will never reach those who operate most within its languages and symbols.)
Edelman makes a compelling case for refusing the "futurity" built into the rhetoric not just of conservative politics but also much of liberal or progressive politics. He acknowledges that in calling for this refusal, he is proposing an "impossible politics," a politics that will sidestep the trap by which one or another group (queers or an equivalent population deemed deviant) has to be sold down the river in order to rally everyone else around future improvement and greater inclusion. This is also an "impossible politics" because it won't suppress the death drive that structures every identity or political vision (this is the Lacanian part of the argument).
But once you stipulate that any and every kind of politics (except Edelman's impossible politics) is built on suppressing the death drive, you have painted yourself into a corner--an impossible politics, indeed. Once Edelman has shifted the site of politics to the deep structure of the human psyche in this way, It's hard to see how one could think or act in any purposeful way that might count as political. There is only the act of refusing, but no hope or even historical possibility for imagining social and power arrangements that operate otherwise. In the meantime, political change will happen, for better or worse, and those who refuse have just taken themselves out of the game, and also limited their ability to even diagnose the change that happens.
What is missing is any speculation from Edelman about what his politics of refusal would amount to, how it might play out in the world to affirm rather than suppress or deny the death drive. Other theorists have taken up the challenge of thinking about how we might act or at least think politically once we give up the idea of a self-directing political actor and a self-governing political society. But Edelman seems content to plant himself at the paradox of an "impossible politics" and expose the delusions and ill will that suddenly come into view from that standpoint. The book is brave and often brilliant, but I find I want to refuse the impossibility of this picture of impossible politics.』
(Important, but...) 『Lee Edleman's book poses important questions for all of us about "queerness" and resistance to our presumedly "normal" cultural investments in a redemptive future figured most vividly in the notion of the "child." I admire the work being done here, and in particular the intellectual chutzpah it takes to dismantle this dominant ideological framework while taking on Baudrillard, Butler and other formidable thinkers. It is, however, unfortunate that Edelman seems to have become enchanted as much by his own linguistic cleverness as by the important ideas he sets out to explore.
Thelabor required to make sense of the dense, overwrought and smugly elitist tone of the text detracts from and, I imagine for many readers unfamiliar with the burdensome jargon, simply impedes understanding. This is particularly painful in the chapter on Hitchcock's "The Birds" which seems to be as much a compendium of bad bird puns as it is a serious inquiry into the themes of the book.
That being said, Edelman has made an important, even daring, contribution to queer theory. His readings of texts and films are original and thought-provoking. Furthermore, the ideas Edelman lays out in "No Future" could and should help shape our understanding of the importance of resisting what he calls a "vision of futurity." Sadly, his impenetrable prose limits access to his ideas and keeps the circuit of discourse firmly shut to those most likely to benefit from the ideas he puts forth. 』 『In this searing polemic, Lee Edelman outlines a radically uncompromising new ethics of queer theory. His main target is the all-pervasive figure of the child, which he reads as the linchpin of our universal politics of“reproductive futurism.” Edelman argues that the child, understood as innocence in need of protection, represents the possibility of the future against which the queer is positioned as the embodiment of a relentlessly narcissistic, antisocial, and future-negating drive. He boldly insists that the efficacy of queerness lies in its very willingness to embrace this refusal of the social and political order. InNo Future, Edelman urges queers to abandon the stance of accommodation and accede to their status as figures for the force of a negativity that he links with irony,jouissance, and, ultimately, the death drive itself.
Closely engaging with literary texts, Edelman makes a compelling case for imagining Scrooge without Tiny Tim and Silas Marner without little Eppie. Looking to Alfred Hitchcock’s films, he embraces two of the director’s most notorious creations: the sadistic Leonard ofNorth by Northwest, who steps on the hand that holds the couple precariously above the abyss, and the terrifying title figures ofThe Birds, with their predilection for children. Edelman enlarges the reach of contemporary psychoanalytic theory as he brings it to bear not only on works of literature and film but also on such current political flashpoints as gay marriage and gay parenting. Throwing down the theoretical gauntlet,No Futurereimagines queerness with a passion certain to spark an equally impassioned debate among its readers.』
price：$5.74
Arsenal Pulp Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The Classic and still a great story) 『I first read this book in 1971 when it was called A Place for Us. I was starving for a portrayal of love between women that was positive and captured the "spiritual" feeling of that experience(as well as its other aspects). This book was it. A friend had it and she didn't want to lend it to me until she read it, so the two of us stayed up from 10 p.m. unti 3 a.m. reading it aloud to each other.
Sure, there's more nuanced work out there now but this is still a wonderfully sweet and well-written story that captures, as far as I'm concerned, the heart of what women loving women is about. I just reread it and am amazed at how it still touches me. It is particularly remarkable that the book was written several years before Stonewall and so well presaged how the Gay Liberation Movement would press for a new understanding of love between women. Thank you, Isabel Miller (Alma Routsong), Daughters of Bilitis, and all who made this possible.
I highly recommend this, particularly for women who feel drawn to women and are in circumstances where you feel unsupported.』
(Delivered on time, great condition) 『Like the title says, the book I ordered was delivered very quickly and even though used, was in great condition. I'm very happy with my purchase.』
(Excellent Read) 『Great book. For me, very thought-provoking, inspiring and hopeful. I ended up reading it in one sitting while over seeing exams. The prose and eloquent wording are fantastic. Definitely worth the buy.』
(Loved - Loved - Loved it !!!) 『 This is a terrific novel that should not be missed. This is a timeless classic so well written you would think the author made a career in writing historic literature.
You actually feel the deep emotion that they have for each other. It's so strong that you sometimes forget the humor that is laced throughout. There are some powerful scenes that reflect the harsh times where women did not have a say in their own affairs.
There is as much depth in one chapter as you will get in entire novels. The writing simply flows and you don't put the book down until you notice the day has gone dark and lunch and dinner time have passed you by. Wonderful characters so rich in details that you wonder about them long after the novel ends.
I couldn't be happier by the authors other books - if you enjoyed Patience and Sarah you will be delighted with Side by Side.
You will not find a better novel to read 』
(You could feel the passion) 『A touching story of two women who fall in love and defy their families and society to be together. Nothing vulgar or obscene. The author did a wonderful job of portraying the genuine love these two women felt for eachother despite very different upbringings. A quick and enjoyable read.』 『Set in the nineteenth century, Isabel Miller’s classic lesbian novel traces the relationship between Patience White, an educated painter, and Sarah Dowling, a farmer, whose romantic bond does not sit well with the puritanical New England farming community in which they live. Ultimately, they are forced to make life-changing decisions that depend on their courage and their commitment to one another. Winner of the American Library Association’s first Gay Book Award.
price：$4.76
MLR Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (PWP) 『If you like PWP (porn without plot), this book is for you. I almost fell in boredom-induced coma.』
(Oh My) 『I have to admit that this was the very first erotic novel I purchased. I read it late in the night with a single lamp on, snug as a bug in a rug in bed. As I read through the first few pages I found a number of typos and at the moment I felt like the story was going to be cheesy and written like a fanfiction fantasy. And then I found that I just couldn't put it down. Sure it did have it's cheesy moments and few typos that seemed to distract just a little from the action but I'm the kind of person that can see past the flaws and get right to the entertainment value. The story was very entertaining and I loved the characters. The constant sex scenes weren't too bad either. Overall I really did like this book. I'm glad I took the chance and read it. Go ahead and give it a try! 』
(An enjoyable gay romance!) 『A Bit of Rough wasn't as rough as I thought it'd be, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was light on the bdsm- more about dominance and trust than bondage. At first, the pairing of architect James Justin and rough cowboy Abraham "Bram" Lord seems unlikely, but as the story progresses, one can easily see how their differences compliment each other. Bram is the kind of man who knows what he wants and goes for him and is very confident in his sexuality. James on the other hand, isn't quite sure what he wants or needs. He's more career-minded than worried about his own needs and is not sure what to think of Bram and his dominant ways. It's interesting to watch James go through the emotions and doubts as he learns more about himself through Bram. This is a nice love story that beats the odds. I'm looking forward to reading more about Bram and James in their sequel, Roughhousing.』
(Not my cup of tea...) 『I've read Laura's writing before and really enjoyed it but this book fell woefully short of 'good' in my opinion. The story was actually quite good, there were a lot of great elements to it and the writing was excellent....But I couldn't bring myself to like the main characters. Not even a little bit! They played out like cardboard cut-outs to me,
Bram fell instantaneously in love with James after screwing in a back alley which I loved but not the falling in love part! Love at first screw? Yikes! That was not even close to believable for me. Bram and James fit way too neatly into the rolls of perfect 'top' and 'bottom', a pit trap that female writers tend to fall into. Definitely the type of pit trap that makes me wince. James is PERFECT and small and timid and Bram PERFECT and big and bold and strong. What? No thank you Laura!
I think my personal tastes in gay fiction is what prevents me from liking this. I prefer my romance to be a little more subtle and less 'I love you forever and ever even though I only just met you.' I will definitely give this author a try with her other books because I do enjoy her writing but this one just wasn't for me.
One I did like was her short story from 'Bite Before Christmas' where she took a lot of elements I normally don't like and really made them work.』
(A Bit Of Rough) 『Realistic......
Reading this book, was like watching a real life love story play out in front of my eyes. The emotions were raw, the m/m sex hot and the love over flowing; like any relationship should be. It's real...』 『Architect James Justin impulsively lets himself be picked up in a biker bar by seductive hunk Bram Lord for a one nightstand that turns into something bigger. The physically impressive, forceful stranger mets, matches and exceeds James' sexual fantasies, but can shy, uncertain James be everything the strongly committed Bram wants?』
price：$2.80
Harvest House Publishers
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Even the experts thinks "reparitive therapy" is dangerous) 『HERE ARE THE FACTS: NEW YORK -- The American Psychological Association declared Wednesday that mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments.
Instead, the APA urged therapists to consider multiple options - that could range from celibacy to switching churches - for helping clients whose sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.
In a resolution adopted on a 125-to-4 vote by the APA's governing council, and in a comprehensive report based on two years of research, the 150,000-member association put itself firmly on record in opposition of so-called "reparative therapy" which seeks to change sexual orientation.
No solid evidence exists that such change is likely, says the report, and some research suggests that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.
The APA had criticized reparative therapy in the past, but a six-member task force added weight to this position by examining 83 studies on sexual orientation change conducted since 1960. Its comprehensive report was endorsed by the APA's governing council in Toronto, where the association's annual meeting is being held this weekend.
THIS BOOK IS DANGEROUS. SAME SEX ORIENTATION IS A NATURAL PART OF THE SEXUAL CONTINUUM AND CANNOT BE CHANGED. REMEMBER: GAY AND TRANSGENDER KIDS HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH RATES OF SUICIDE. BOOKS (AND ATTITUDES) LIKE THIS CONTRIBUTE TO THOSE NUMBERS.』
(A great journey) 『This is the door to a new way of thinking about homosexual feelings in a man or a woman. People will criticize this way of thinking because they are not willing to accept the fact that this is not inborn but psychological. People CAN change. God TRANSFORMS lives, period. The only thing is that you HAVE to be be willing to accept HIM as the Savior and there's no other way. Obedience and compassion to ourselves will help us change.』
(Desires in Conflict: I highly recommend the book) 『"Desires in Conflict..." by Joe Dallas, is a manual for Christian men striving to be Godly while dealing with their homosexual temptations. The book deals with the topic honestly and sympathetically but remains grounded in scripture. I highly recommend the book to any man struggling with homosexuality, and to any minister who may be counseling such men. 』
(Joe Dallas's long, sad journey) 『I am a 23-year old gay man, and this book was given to me by a probably well-meaning relative. Joe Dallas falls into the same trap of attempted extrapolation that most exgay testimony books do: "My homosexuality makes me miserable and self-loathing, and your homosexuality should make you miserable too." He also blames his problems on homosexuality where the actual issues probably lay elsewhere. He admits in the later edition of his book that his sexual partners numbered in the hundreds(!) prior to 1984 (another common extrapolation in exgay testimonies - "I had hundreds of anonymous sex partners, so all gay men must.") and details his considerations and plans for suicide in the mid 80's. This sounds like a maladjusted or profoundly disturbed individual, perhaps sexually-addicted person who happens to be gay, not an accurate profile of how a gay man is. Many exgay books seem to fall into this unfortunate trap of trying denigrate all gay men to make their point.
He spends chapters on the idea of bad male-male non-sexual relationships (primarily those involving the father) as the primary driver of homosexuality, although he reluctantly admits at a few points that many heterosexual men seem to have the same deficits yet, strangely, aren't gay! His own assessment of father-son relationships is grim, calling them inevitably "doomed" to rages and hatred, more or less, including his own relationship with an adoptive son in the "raging" yet "re-bonded" category. These parts of the book is basically useless if your relationship with your father was not somehow estranged and you turned out to be gay anyway. (I even got the benefit of baseball-in-the-backyard with my dad on a regular basis growing up - sorry Joe, I got all that healthy male socialization and I still prefer men.)
I perhaps had one real argument with my father ever, nearly all my best friends in school were male, and even now I consider my relationship with my father considerably more genial and bearable than the one with my mother, and yet I am still gay. Also, since I am not plagued with guilt and self-loathing about my sexuality, I find little common ground to share with Joe Dallas. Perhaps if you're an evangelical Christian male miserable about your sexuality, you might feel less alone reading this ('uplifting' is not the word I'd use for this book, though), but it's virtually without value for people who don't fall into that narrow category. Two stars.』
(Great Book) 『This book helped me learn so much for me to be able to turn my life around and change completely for the better. If you're struggling with your sexuality and desperate for answeres and help, this book is a must read. I hope it'll change all your lives for better as it did for me. I literally cried tears of joy as I read this book, and I could never thank the author enough for having taken the time to write it. Thank you, Mr. Dallas from the bottom of my heart.』 『
For more than a decade,Desires in Conflicthas been the definitive“must–read” for those who wonder “Can a homosexual change?” This new edition with updated information offers more compelling reasons why the answer is “yes!”
“I read Desires in Conflict for the first time when I was 19...More than a decade later, I am free of desires that once held me captive, strong in my faith, married to my amazing wife, Leslie, and currently the Executive Director of Exodus International, North America. The Lord used Desires inConflict to help guide me out of homosexuality. Joe Dallas has eternally impacted a generation of young people like me.”
Alan Chambers Executive Director Exodus International
price：$4.24
Torquere Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A Journey of Self-Discovery) 『What defines "normal" anyway? What's right for one man (or woman) is not necessarily ideal for another. If everyone were the same and lived the same kind of life, then the world would be a mighty boring place to exist in, wouldn't it? Perhaps we should celebrate our individuality, whether this leads to us following what would be defined as a "normal" lifestyle or one that might be considered somewhat alternative. In Sean Michael's novel Bent, his characters deal with this very issue. This is a story about accepting and even embracing who you are in spite of any fears about the real or imagined perceptions of others.
This novel is very typical of Mr. Michael's work. It is well-written and very sensual, and it focuses on the characters and their internal conflicts rather than any external source of tension. The story is told in a set of scenes separated by time. Each scene is a mini-story of its own, documenting a milestone in their relationship, whether it be a step forward or a step back.
Mr. Michael's unique narrative style pulls you into the minds of the characters, so we watch their struggles on two different levels - as observer and as participant. We experience the confusion on each of the two main characters parts as they try to reconcile their fears and emotions and work to build a relationship based on love and the BDSM lifestyle. Jim has been broken down through the events in his past and has lost his self-confidence to a point where he must keep himself on a strict schedule just stay sane and feel like he is in control of his life. His lifestyle balances on the edge of self-abuse. When he meets Marcus, he is stretched so tightly that it feels as if he'll snap should any more tension be placed on his shoulders. Marcus's intervention in his life pulls him out of what has become an unhealthy environment. He teaches Jim that he is anything but worthless and weak and that there are people out there who will appreciate and care about him regardless of societal "norms."
In Bent there is no question that the reason this alternative lifestyle works for Jim and Marcus is due to the love, trust, and respect that they feel for each other. This is not just one man whaling on another one. As the two characters explore each other sexually, it is extremely clear that this is a consensual act that involves limits. There is a safe word involved, and as soon as that word is invoked, all activity stops immediately and without question. Although we may not find this particular style of sexual interaction to be our preference, we can't help but respect the choices that are made by the characters. Rather than appearing creepy or uncomfortable, the rules and bondage and spanking seem to be right for these two.
The story ends without a physical resolution to the main external conflict in the story. At first, I felt some disappointment in this. However, upon reflection, I see that in Jim and Marcus's world, this issue ceases to exist as soon as Jim makes an emotional peace with it. It's quite clever, really, and shows just how far Jim has progressed in his journey to regain his identity and self-worth.
Fans of Mr. Michael's writing with doubtless enjoy Bent. Those new to his work will need to check their inhibitions at the door, open their mind a little, and prepare to be charmed by the characters as they go on an intense journey of self-discovery. 』
(Good but needs more plot!!) 『This is one of the first BDSM books that I've read and I have to say I enjoyed it thoroughly. The only problems I had with it were the overload of sex scenes (which is wonderful in moderation, but the dialogue and plot seemed more like breaks between scenes than anything), and the lack of plot and realistic dialogue. A good amount of it was repetitive and kind of cheesy, but it's not too difficult to ignore. Overall a good book. I recommend it.』
(A Disappointment) 『What I liked: --The sex was hot and kinky--just the way I like it! --There was very little outside conflict--all the conflict came from within Jim, the sub, and his difficulty reconciling his needs with his beliefs.
What I didn't like: --The sex was too frequent. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that out of nearly 500 pages, perhaps 50 was actual plot. --The dialogue was stiff and unbelievable. In fact, I think the only thing this author wrote well was the sex. --The editing was terrible. The grammar and spelling mistakes were distracting. ESPECIALLY the punctuation. --The lack of variation in word choice got distracting after a while, but that's a pet peeve.
Out of the three "gay fiction" books I've ordered, this is the one I enjoyed the least. If porn without plot is what you want, I say go for it. If you're not distracted by poor word/grammar/spelling usage, then I say go for it. If you want a plotty, well-written, well-edited, tastefuly executed piece of fiction that you'll enjoy reading again and again...well, maybe this isn't for you. It certainly wasn't for me.』
(Bent) 『Marcus Goodfellow is heavy into the BDSM lifestyle. He can spot a submissive a mile away. Moments after meeting Jim he knew Jim was a man who needed to be dominated. Marcus could tell that Jim needed focus, direction and discipline but most of all Jim needed to believe in life again. What started out with Marcus wanting to help Jim turned into Marcus loving Jim.
Jim Upton's life was turned upside down after being falsely accused in a scandal. Jim cut himself off from life and he now has things under control or so he believes. The last thing he needs is for Marcus to come and confuse him and make him want things that don't fit into the half-life he's been living. Jim quickly see that Marcus is not one to take no for an answer and Marcus shows Jim that Marcus is just what he needs.
Bent is an incredible story. It's almost four hundred pages long, but it's so engrossing that I sat down and read it in just a few hours non-stop. Jim and Marcus are quite a pair, through them Sean Michael allows his readers to see the mechanics of a BDSM relationship. He shows us that a D/s relationship is not defined by who is stronger and who is weaker, and that it's not all about pain. Jim was not a weak man but he was hurting and he hid his hurt by living in a shell and not letting people close. Marcus slowly introduced him to the BDSM life and showed him that it took a strong man just as himself to allow someone to dominate him. Marcus showed Jim how to use pain to derive pleasure. There was great chemistry between these two and I loved the even paced growth of their relationship. Although I wished there was more closure to a certain aspect of Jim's life, the overall story of Bent was fantastic and a must read for Sean Michael fans.
Ley Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed』
(Another winner) 『Sean Michael's at his best with this enticing exploration of need. The characters are strongly written, giving the reader insight into each man's needs and what it takes to meet them. The progression of the relationship is a powerful force, with elements ranging from tenderness to submission. If you're a Sean Michael fan, buy the book. If you'd like to try an intro to the dominant/submissive literary world, buy it.』 『Marcus knows Jim is his minutes after meeting the snarly, jumpy ex-professor at the local bookstore. He thinks Jim is a natural submissive, someone who needs order and discipline in his life to help with Jim's anxiety and bad health habits. So Marcus decides to pursue Jim relentlessly, because even if Jim's mouth is saying no, his body is saying yes. There's a lot more to Jim than meets the eye, and Marcus will have to be careful. Jim knows what it means to lose everything, knows what it's like to be without friends or family. Jim feels broken, and knowing that he likes the kinds of weird things Marcus wants to do to him only makes him scared that he's losing his mind. Their chemistry is so real, so genuine, that Jim lets Marcus wear him down, lets Marcus take control. Eventually, his trust grows, allowing them to enter into the BDSM lifestyle together, learning about each other every day, with every scene. Jim is still uncertain sometimes, though, and he thinks Marcus might just want him because he's cracked. Can this top and bottom pair find a way to understand their wants and needs, and make a life that works for them alone?』
price：$2.79
Villard
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Fun Read!) 『I like this book. It was very eye opening. As a man just coming out It helped me with alot of my hangups.』
(Looking for Mr. Right) 『Sullivan, Jim. "Boyfriend 101: A Gay Guy's Guide to Dating, Romance and Finding True Love", Villard, 2003.
Looking for Mr. Right
Amos Lassen
Jim Sullivan is a professional counselor and he gives us advice spiced with anecdotes as he directs about finding Mr. Right. He treats us as beginners and starts with small steps such as opening lines. He gives us three pages of the qualities a Mr. Right should have as well as suggested locations for meeting other men. He also tells us what not to say on the first date or even early on. The advice is constructive and he even goes into dating men who are HIV positive and dealing with internalized homophobia as well as topics that can be discussed when looking for a partner. This is a great book for those that have trouble dating--it has practical suggestions and is good for the new dater or the seasoned butterfly. Many of us fall in love without considering what we are really looking for in a partner and have no idea about how to expand our social network. He even teaches us how to write a personal ad or computer profile. There is a lot of good information for everyone and all of us can improve our dating skills, At first I thought that Sullivan was a bit pretentious but I soon realized that this was a way of putting wit into the subject. It's a good book for a quick read and who knows--the reader can really learn something. 』
(Generally a Good Book; Great Thought Starter) 『A great book for those just starting on the gay dating scene, or for those who haven't been having much luck. This book guides you from A-Z on how to date, how to avoid many of the pitfalls that gay men face while dating, and how to make a relationship last. My only major disagreement is that the author states that most gay men go through a 'slut stage' before they are ready to settle for love. This may be true for a large number of gay men, but I know many others that wait for love to have sex. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good general guide to dating other men.』
(loved it - recomended) 『After reading the bread and butter gay dating books (e.g. "the MANdates") Dating 101 emerged from the stack. Most importantly, the author Jim Sullivan gives practical advice to integrate into your everyday life. Using real cases of men he worked with, Sullivan addresses the psychology of many gay relationships while helping the reader understand what successful relationships and dating should look like. This means recognizing the "red flags" faster while gaining a clearer understanding of your own issues.
An earlier reviewer complained: the book did not help him meet science geeks. In context, it seems like this reviewers issues are more with the gay community than the text. Clearly, Morrison cannot address every social niche. Despite this, Morrison works will all sorts of men and he offers advice on how to meet men and expand your social circle.
If you want a textbook on dating, you have come to the wrong place. However, for anyone looking for an enjoyable book with practical advice and insight, this text is recommended.』
(Great book, makes you think...) 『I bought this book somewhat out of curiosity and some because of the other reviews. Well I can tell you what it is is a great book to use to both understand what you are doing right in the dating world, but also what you are doing wrong!! I highly recommend it and have already been doing that to my friends.』 『You’ve done the bar thing. You’ve let your best friend set you up. You’ve even logged on to a gay dating website. But the man of your dreams is still out there, just waiting for you to find him. What’s a gay guy to do? Look no further than this book.
Whether you’re new to the dating scene or just wanting a refresher course, in Boyfriend 101 you’ll find an abundance of practical tips for meeting the right man (and avoiding the wrong ones) and keeping him (and you) interested for the long term. Topics include:
•Deciding what you need versus what you want in a boyfriend •Icebreakers that actually work •Expanding your social network •The best places to meet men •Writing a hot personal ad or online profile •First-date protocols (or, Waiting until after the third date to have sex) •Discussing HIV and negotiating safe sex •Maintaining a healthy body image •Overcoming fear of abandonment •Creating healthy lines of communication with your boyfriend』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Boring, boring and more boring) 『I can't imagine why anyone would want to publish this book and am astonished that it was short-listed for the Booker prize. It consists of page after page of details in the life of a sick man - how many times he is sick, soils himself, goes to the bathroom, while the rest of the family prepare and eat meals and drink endless cups of tea. The characters are weakly depicted and not at all believable - this author has no idea about the inner workings of the female mind. A complete waste of my time - there are thousands of books better than this!』
(the irish. sigh....) 『The Blackwater Lightship involves a generationally dysfunctional family coming to terms with the loss of a son and brother and each other after decades of hostility and isolation. Three generations of women (Granny, Lily, and Helen) have not spoken to each other in years because of past perceptions of ungratefulness and slights amongst each other. They are living three entirely separate lives, and have been for years.
Helen learns from one of her brother's friends that Declan is In the hospital, very sick with AIDS, and that he wants her to visit. Declan's friends have been caring for him for years, while his family remained unaware that he was ill. During the visit, he decides that he is stable enough to leave, and wants to spend some time at his Granny's house, on the coast, where he'd spent much of his (dysfunctional) childhood. Although his memories of the house and this time of his life do not appear to be particularly fond, they do involve a sense of innocence, a feeling he must have been hoping to recapture - he hadn't counted on all the nausea and vomiting.
The novel is a little heavy-handed for me, but overall is a bittersweet (at times funny) tale of family dysfunction - how very small perceived slights and misunderstandings mushroom with time - until a family no longer communicates at all, choosing to remain isolated from each other under separate clouds of hostility.
The crisis seems to bring them all together, in a uniquely Irish way, in the end.』
(Flat) 『Yet another over-hyped novel. This reads more like the screenplay for a chick flick than serious literature. A series of shallow characters are thrown together in - what seems to me - a plot device to enable the novelist to convey his ideas about the problems of gay people and/or HIV positive people in the Ireland of 90s. The opening chapters are completely unrelated to the rest of the story and the strife between the three generations of women is utterly trivial. While I admit that, between family members, the most trivial of problems can result in bitter separations, the reasons behind the rift between Helen, her mother and her grandmother are laughable. The writer tries to inject some warmth into story by constant references to the cats and gossipy people of the town but it is as artificial as the dialogue between the characters. I had great difficulty trudging trough this book. I am amazed that it has been shortlisted for any award.』
(2.5 stars: Backstory with little present to place it in) 『Helen lives a happy life in a village in Ireland. She is devoted to her sons and husband and enjoys her job as principal of a local school. One day, unexpectedly, she is confronted with the news that her beloved brother Declan has contracted AIDS. She gathers with two of his friends, her grandmother and her estranged mother to spend some time with him in his final days.
I was drawn to this book because I am fascinated by stories about ordinary people in moments of vulnerability and change (I'm thinking Carver, Hempel, Dubus etc.), however The Blackwater Lightship is a competent novel and little more. Toibin obviously has a good understanding of family dynamics, however there are no moments of catharsis or great insight. Perhaps this is due to the fact that none of the characters are particularly great thinkers and the novel is primarily concerned with their thoughts. In a particularly contrived chapter, a sleepless night is used as an opportunity to give a substantial portion of Helen's backstory because this is what Helen is thinking about. This instance of backstory - as all others - is presented without benefit of foresight afforded by retrospection, but as a matter-of-fact exposition regarding what happened. Other main characters have their pasts detailed through a single instance of extensive dialogue with Helen at various opportunistic points throughout the book. I found this a very obvious, predictable and ultimately unrealistic mechanic, however Toibin seemed intent on depriving the characters of whatever sense of intrigue they may have embodied had their pasts not been artlessly exposed.
One of the more interesting scenes in the novel finds Declan sitting intently at a dinner table, staring motionlessly while all those around him try to accommodate his mood. It is interesting because it is one of the very few instances in which Toibin allows his reader to wonder and to use their own experience to guess as to what is taking place. All too often he insists on telling us what is occurring and what we should think about it, leaving no room for the reader to relate to the narrative or insert themself into it. He does this by adopting an authoritative third-person perspective. As with any novel we are free to like or dislike its characters, agree or disagree with them, however the aforementioned shallowness of thought makes this a difficult process to pursue with any confidence. Even though this is a novel that deals with life, death and the intangible machinations of human relationships Helen is not so much a poor philosopher as she is not a philosopher at all. Toibin tells us what happened and Helen tells us what she thinks of it, however the abstract process connecting event to conclusion is never so much as brushed. This makes Helen an unquestionable arbiter of truth for the purposes of the novel, which is a very poor decision on Toibin's behalf, as this is a power that should not be vested in any character.
All of this basically results in the annulment of the importance of the present, as the present becomes only a conduit for the past. Declan is not so much a character as he is an artificial rallying point for what the book's blurb itself so helpfully informed me are "six [people], from different generations and with different beliefs" that "are forced to listen to each other and come to terms with each other" and it really is as contrived as it sounds. There is no real emotional gravity attached to Declan's suffering, because even though it constitutes the rallying call, the focus of the book is on the minor tensions that exist between the people around him. In the hands of a writer like William Faulkner (just as a for instance) this would not be a problem as he has the skill to navigate these tensions and use them to provide profound insight into humanity, however Colm Toibin is not William Faulkner, and The Blackwater Lightship is not As I Lay Dying.
Toibin's prose is unremarkable with little, if any distinctive stylistic idiosyncrasies. He tells his story clearly - perhaps too clearly - however I didn't find myself very much drawn into it. His total lack of effort to conceal his narrative devices for backstory and the way he made it clear when he was speaking as a storyteller and when Helen was thinking as a character kept me constantly aware that I was just reading a book, which is hardly a glowing endorsement for a piece of literature. If you want to read an easy story with minimum challenge or investment expected of its reader, this is for you, however if you are after something that has the philosophical insight to back up its themes, there are a veritable overflow of superior writers further up the ladder.』
(Creates an atmosphere better than a sense of purpose) 『Joyce said that the idea of Ulysses was that if Dublin were to be destroyed it could be recreated from his book; Colm Tobin appears to be trying to do the same thing in this book for the Irish family. I'm in two minds about this. The observation is very precise, everything in it rings true, and it evokes the Ireland of 1990 (when not everyone had a mobile phone) so exactly that it feels like a perfectly done period piece. And the final exchanges between the lead character and her mother are perfectly pitched. On the other hand it all seems a bit inconsequential. It held my attention well after the first 70 or so pages and then it was over.』
price：$8.48
Doubleday
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Recent Read) 『I mistakenly came across this book in my garage not long ago and decided to read it. It was a captivating, page-turner from start to finish. Oh my, do I love the writings of Mr. E. Lynn Harris. This was my first of many as I've read the next nine books that followed this wonderful novel, filled with sexuality and sensuality, pain and acceptance and tolerance, ignorance and confusion. And I intend to read the next four. Just plain REAL! Read it, you won't be disappointed.』
(Eehhh) 『I've decided to read all of E. Lynn Harris's books and this is 2nd of the trilogy---it's not really necessary to do so because the next book does fill you in on what transpired previously.
I am finding that the author writes things that I don't think would really happen that way. For instance he says that Kyle didn't inform Ray for 3 years that he was infected with HIV. Now if they were the very best friends the book claims they were-----I KNOW someone would confide in their very best friend, not keep it from him!! Stupid things like that, that don't make sense. And having dinner guests over and one of the guests asked what he and his partner do for a living and Ray answers 'what does that matter?'. No one would give that answer.
And I don't understand why the book has to involve Nicole after the first book. I just scanned every chapter about her and got what I needed because her role doesn't have much to do with anything. I suppose it's to keep the bisexual overtone of the book?? I don't know where the bisexual thing is going with these books....it seems over but I guess that is how Harris keeps the readers--with the possibility that one of the characters might revert to switchhitting again. I have never really liked bisexuality. Why do they get to keep going back and forth? The majority of us go one way or the other.』
(Just As I Am) 『I have read all of E Lynn's books. This one is just as great as all the rest. If you're an E Lynn fan, it's a must read!』
(GREAT!!!!!!) 『Must read!!!!!!!!!! This was a great book. But you should read them in order. Star with INVISIBLE LIFE...:)』
(So Good) 『This book is deep. Couldn't put it down. The ending was sad but still very good.』 『Middle-class black homosexuals deal with their sexuality and the AIDS, racism, and homophobia that go with it in a novel that explores the lies people tell one another in an effort to conceal their true selves. 25,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo. Tour.』 『At the end ofInvisible Life, Raymond and Nicole had just ended a blossoming love affair when Nicole found herself unable to cope with Raymond's bisexuality.Just As I Ambegins soon after that, as the two former lovers try to rebuild their lives. Raymond has moved to Atlanta to practice law, and he continues to question whether he's genuinely bisexual or really gay, but is unable to accept that a real lifetime love might happen with anyone but a wife. (The reappearance of charismatic--and closeted--pro football player Basil Henderson doesn't exactly make things easier for him.) Nicole has agreed to marry her rich, white lover, who's bankrolling her latest Broadway effort, even though she's not sure she loves him. She and Raymond are reunited when their mutual best friend, Kyle, succumbs to his HIV infection and Raymond returns to New York City to be by his side. Over the years, E. Lynn Harris has proved himself a powerful male counterpart to the commercial success of African American authors like Terry McMillan; the turbulent plot ofJust As I Am, with its relentless focus on characters' feelings, ably demonstrates how he's become so popular.』
price：$4.78
St. Martin's Griffin
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Read this hilarious memoir!!) 『In "The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boy", Robert Leleux (nee O'Doole) paints a living, vivid picture of his teenage years. He shares the engaging story of life with his flamboyant mother and later, his future spouse, with exceptional flair and keen humor. The book begins in June, 1996, when at 16 years of age, his father abandons Jessica, his mother, and him in tiny Petunia, Texas with very little money. At this point, the relationship between mother and son is remarkably touching...and just a little bit unusual! They both love to go shopping and also enjoy driving to Neiman Marcus in Houston for their weekly hair and nail appointments. Post-abandonment, Jessica ardently strives to rejuvenate her appearance with plastic surgery and a hairpiece attachment so she can hook a new, rich husband. Meanwhile, Robert joins a Houston theater company, where he realizes he is gay and madly in love with choreographer Michael Leleux. Robert is lovingly welcomed into the Leleux household. Mr. Leleux is a magnificently talented writer who truly has a gift for drawing us in. His vivacious style, with its funny, 'snappy one-liners', was utterly captivating. The descriptions of his mother's beauty makeovers were simply hilarious! However, I can certainly relate to Jessica's desire to enhance her appearance in today's youth and beauty-obsessed culture. As I read, I was reminded of an important lesson. Mr. Leleux's sense of humor carried him through his life struggles. To be able to survive anything, a sense of humor is essential, even in the most dire circumstances. I absolutely LOVED this thoroughly entertaining memoir and I very HIGHLY recommend it!』
(a very good read) 『This is a very funny, very well-written book. The growing-up-gay-in-the-South is an overworked subgenre, but this one has a lot going for it that helps it rise above the usual run-of-the-mill writing. First of all, the depiction of his mother is brilliant. Here is a fully developed (warts and all) smother-mother who needs a film treatment immediately. She is so original that I can't think of which actress should portray her. Secondly, the writing is very clever and original. There are many delightful sentences that are laugh-out-loud hilarious. Finally, this is a good read because there is so much warmth and love and joy about being a teenboy in Texas who knows what he wants out of life but just doesn't have enough money to get it. I liked these characters so much that I hope there will be a sequel in a couple of years so we can enjoy some of their much-deserved and well-earned triumphs.』
(Laugh out loud funny!) 『This book is such a gem - it will delight&surprise you. I was laughing out loud the entire time! Robert Leleux has a gift for drawing you into the saga of his life. He is truly the Truman Capote of the our era. If you think your life is crazy, read about his!』
(Soaking in Samsara) 『Wow, this was a stinker! I heard an interview on NPR with the author and thought that it sounded interesting. Reading the book though, I realized that all the funny parts were in the interview. The rest of the book - which was ample - was just the rambling neurosis of the author. It was really not worthwhile and I wish I had something more positive to say about it but I don't. Good luck to anyone who happens upon this book.』
(The Book Club Cheerleader Gives This Book a 2-Pom Pom Cheer!) 『Every once in a while you read a writer who is so deliciously funny, he makes you wet your spanks. For me this year, that writer was Robert Leleux. Reading about his over-the-top, best-friend-Mother--with whom he spent his childhood Saturday's at Neiman Marcus getting his hair styled and nails lacquered--caused me to ping-pong back and forth between not believing their outrageous behavior and clever dialogue could be true--and wanting with all my heart for it to be absolutely, word-for-word exactly the way he wrote it.
I laughed when Jessica prayed for Jesus to smite the cars off the freeways when she was in a hurry. I cried when Robert watched all of his earthly goods ruined in a freak summer downpour. And I wet those aforementioned spanks when Jessica's infected lip implant flew across the room, injuring a small child.
Of course, one of my favorite analogies was when he described his mother's new fake hair as looking and sounding like a yellow pom pom. It was as if he wrote that line with me in mind...
If Texas is this funny--I can't wait for him to write about New York City. This cheerleader gives Beautiful a two-pom-pom cheer! 』 『
The Memoirs of a Beautiful BoyisThe Houston Press's Best Houston Book of the Year for 2008.
In the Dear John letter Daddy left for Mother and me, on a Saturday afternoon in early June 1996, on the inlaid Florentine table in the front entry of our house, which we found that night upon returning from a day spent in the crème-colored light of Neiman’s, Daddy wrote that he was leaving us because Mother was crazy, and because she’d driven me crazy in a way that perfectly suited her own insanity.
In a memoir studded with delicious lines and unforgettable set pieces, Robert Leleux describes his East Texas boyhood and coming of age under the tutelage of his eccentric, bewigged, flamboyant, and knowing mother.
Left high and dry by Daddy and living on their in-laws’ horse ranch in a white-pillared house they can’t afford, Robert and Mother find themselves chronically low on cash. Soon they are forced into more modest quarters, and as a teenaged Robert watches with hilarity and horror, Mother begins a desperate regimen of makeovers, extreme plastic surgeries, and finally hairpiece epoxies---all calculated to secure a new, wealthy husband.
Mother’s strategy takes her, with Robert in tow, from the glamorous environs of the Neiman Marcus beauty salon to questionable surgery offices and finally to a storefront clinic on the wrong side of Houston. Meanwhile, Robert begins his own journey away from Mother and through the local theater’s world of miscast hopefuls and thwarted ambitions---and into a romance that surprises absolutely no one but himself.
Written with a warmth and a wicked sense of fun that lighten even the most awful circumstances,The Memoirs of a Beautiful Boyis a sparkling debut.
price：$1.40
Outskirts Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Just Great!) 『I really enjoyed reading this book. It's so hard to find good lesbian literature these days! I would recommend it to anybody who is looking for a great time before falling asleep every night.』
(Ok so it took me a bit to find this....) 『Ok, so I am a few years behind in those that already purchased and reviewed this...I just stumbled upon this author (yeah I'm slow...smile)..but you know the saying, good things come to those who wait. This is definitely one of those good things - I had started with a later book from this author but quickly catching up. This author has a series that just brings a group of friends and stories together just made me want to read more! The depth this author gives each character in each book is great! she dedicates each book to 2 primary characters, and gives them such depth you want to just keep reading, but along with those 2 characters she gives you a 'peek' at other characters that make the current book well rounded but wants you to learn more about the others. I have enjoyed all of these authors' books and so look forward to others! again, good things do come to those who wait-I should have found this earlier.』
(Highly enjoyable) 『I recently purchased this book to try out a new author and am so glad I did. I will be purchasing the author's additional books. This book, Wasted Heart, was a fabulous read! I read these reviews that say "couldn't put it down", well I couldn't!. I would be reading, reading, reading, "Mom!" ugh child issues, fixed, read, read read...The author had just the right amount of humor in just the right spots. Go read this book.』
(Wasted Heart is not a waste of time.) 『Follow Austy and Elise on a roller coaster ride of emotions and misunderstandings. I was enthralled with this book. The characters were fascinating, believable, and likable.』
(A well written story and humor) 『This story is wonderful. Full of everything that makes for a enjoying afternoon read. Not to mention the humor, I laughed till I cried. What a wonderful personality this author must have to provide that little dry humor throughout the book. If you want an enjoyable read, purchase this book. You'll have fun and get a great story to remember and treasure』 『
Fantasies can sometimes mess up the real thing.
Austy Nunziata has spent two years pining for her married best friend and about the same amount of time berating herself for it. In fact, she's so adept at trying to stamp out her feelings that she could probably write a How-To guide on the subject. One, move 3,000 miles away from your best friend. Two, get a time-consuming job so you don't have time to think about your best friend. Three, hang out with new friends who aren't anywhere as enchanting as your best friend. Four, get involved with a striking woman who is smart, sexy, caring and, most importantly, available, unlike your best friend. Five, hope the new love interest doesn't find out about your pathetic best friend obsession before you have time to replace it with actual life-altering love.
Even following her own step-by-step process, Austy may not be able to redirect all of her misguided feelings. Becoming involved with Elise Bridie helps her realize how pointless her pining has been. But when Elise suspects that she harbors feelings for someone else, will their new found love survive the unrequited infatuation of Austy's fantasies?』
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