PatA Few Of The Boys
February 4th 2008 11:28
I was recommended the book A Few Of The Boys by a very close friend of mine. He told me that Carl Branch was a genius. He told me that no one knew how to set a scene like Carl Branch. He told me that this book would change my life.
Here's the plot synopsis from the back of the book: "With Alec as tutor, Dave learned the delightful difference between fondness and love – Marian’s splendid sexpertise [sic] notwithstanding!"
It certainly sounded interesting A coming-of-age tale dealing with a difficult situation facing all young men in modern society. A classic story of finding love against the odds. I was really looking forward to it.
But to be honest, the book didn't really meet my expectations. Alec came across as a one-dimensional brute. Sure, we heard about his gloriously tanned body, his sparkling eyes and his finely tuned bedroom talents, but where's the character development? I finished the book knowing about as much about Alec as I did at the very first page. Disappointing.
The author struggles in a slightly different way with the character of Dave, in that there is ample opportunity to examine his character in detail but the author simply ignores these chances. Dave is supposed to be the book's hero and he is painted as a somewhat clueless, yet innocently desireable, young man who somehow falls into a number of situations where a slipping towel or a misplaced hand led to a series of carnal encounters which are sure to leave you satisfied. But is this enough? In my opinion, no.
I would have liked the author to have explained Dave's motives just a little more. I wanted a window into Dave's mind as he knelt before the horrible Alec. What was he thinking as he lay across Alec's broad chest after the throes of passion had subsided? What sort of childhood did he have which led to him simply ignoring his beautiful (but tragically, female) partner in the form of Marian? Branch simply ignores these opportunities to add substance to an otherwise competently written story.
While I am on the topic of Marian, she is barely noticeable in this book and this is one of the things which the author really did well. I didn't pick up a book called A Few Of The Boys to read about the comings and goings of a woman, and in this regard, I was very well rewarded.
Overall, this is a great book for gay men of all ages (maybe not for gay babies, but I'll let you - the gay parent - decide appropriate starter reading material for your gay infant). Even if you're only about 25-30% gay, then I still think you'll like this gay book. It probably isn't the gayest book you'll ever read but it certainly isn't the least gay, and it flows well and is a quick and fulfilling gay read from a gay author.
Here's the plot synopsis from the back of the book: "With Alec as tutor, Dave learned the delightful difference between fondness and love – Marian’s splendid sexpertise [sic] notwithstanding!"
It certainly sounded interesting A coming-of-age tale dealing with a difficult situation facing all young men in modern society. A classic story of finding love against the odds. I was really looking forward to it.
But to be honest, the book didn't really meet my expectations. Alec came across as a one-dimensional brute. Sure, we heard about his gloriously tanned body, his sparkling eyes and his finely tuned bedroom talents, but where's the character development? I finished the book knowing about as much about Alec as I did at the very first page. Disappointing.
The author struggles in a slightly different way with the character of Dave, in that there is ample opportunity to examine his character in detail but the author simply ignores these chances. Dave is supposed to be the book's hero and he is painted as a somewhat clueless, yet innocently desireable, young man who somehow falls into a number of situations where a slipping towel or a misplaced hand led to a series of carnal encounters which are sure to leave you satisfied. But is this enough? In my opinion, no.
I would have liked the author to have explained Dave's motives just a little more. I wanted a window into Dave's mind as he knelt before the horrible Alec. What was he thinking as he lay across Alec's broad chest after the throes of passion had subsided? What sort of childhood did he have which led to him simply ignoring his beautiful (but tragically, female) partner in the form of Marian? Branch simply ignores these opportunities to add substance to an otherwise competently written story.
While I am on the topic of Marian, she is barely noticeable in this book and this is one of the things which the author really did well. I didn't pick up a book called A Few Of The Boys to read about the comings and goings of a woman, and in this regard, I was very well rewarded.
Overall, this is a great book for gay men of all ages (maybe not for gay babies, but I'll let you - the gay parent - decide appropriate starter reading material for your gay infant). Even if you're only about 25-30% gay, then I still think you'll like this gay book. It probably isn't the gayest book you'll ever read but it certainly isn't the least gay, and it flows well and is a quick and fulfilling gay read from a gay author.
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Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
is this even in print?
Comment by Pat
Books Are For Losers
(I realise I said that a friend gave me this book at the start of the review. That friend is my gay dad. My dad. He is gay.)
Comment by Anonymous
Apparently
Comment by Pat
Books Are For Losers
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by joshua apple