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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It “A striking book, that leaves you with a mixed sense of knowing nothing and breaking tears that stain your face. Simplistic in all it's complication, it is a story of two boys who fell in love.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “This book is a well-written, kind of gothic novel, but very upsetting. If you're sensitive to rape or gay-bashing or violent themes in general, I do not recommend it. I had a pretty hard time with it.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“A striking book, that leaves you with a mixed sense of knowing nothing and breaking tears that stain your face. Simplistic in all it's complication, it is a story of two boys who fell in love. ”
Maru-Anne wrote this review Thursday, September 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Excellent sad bittersweet.”
Arlene R wrote this review Thursday, July 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love it. Only wish it not to be so tragic.”
Jon wrote this review Sunday, June 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Rarely have I encountered a novel as heartbreaking as this one, in which is narrated the challenges and obstacles encountered by two adolescent males in love with each other. Although it could have been a generic, sappy, trite love story, Mr. Grimsley succeeded in crafting an emotional tale with the force (and dysfunction) of a Greek tragedy and the subtlety and sexual undercurrents of a work by James Baldwin. Nathan’s struggles to escape the sexual abuse perpetuated by his father as he undertakes his relationship with Roy transforms this story into a simultaneously disturbing and uplifting chronicle on the capacity of the human spirit. Incorporating the gothic and the grotesque in contrast to the hope and authentic natural fervor of the relationship between Roy and Nathan, Mr. Grimsley both terrifies and inspires the reader. Definitely, many will not enjoy or endure this story, for it contains frequent allusions to and descriptions of sexual assault, disgusting and reviling in their nature. Experiencing suffering over and over again especially, Nathan as a character seems like one that the author has abused to an outrageous and excessive point, for relief is a necessity in his life. Nevertheless, the perseverance displayed by the characters gives this story a power and force that will haunt the reader for weeks after closing the covers of this quick novel.”
Kirk W wrote this review Sunday, May 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book was hauntingly beautiful. I had nightmares about it for two weeks and I had to hide it in my closet because I couldn't look at the cover without wanting to cry. I don't take this as a bad thing, though; the book just got to me like that, it was haunting. I keep saying it's haunting, I know, but that is the only word I can think of to describe it the best; haunting. Haunting and breathtaking. ”
Lexi S wrote this review Saturday, March 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A beautifully written book. Difficult to finish not because of the prose, but because of the themes. It was a fantastic read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the southern gothic style of writing.”
paperback writer wrote this review Wednesday, February 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This wound up being a very good story. It feels very old, and I don't have a clear sense of when it's set. Clearly, if it's not some time in the seventies, life is very different elsewhere than I expect it to be. A surprisingly nonviolent account of two young men coming to terms with their attraction, one of them coming to grips with his father's abuse of him, told in very small scenes, almost vignettes. It's not a vignette book, but there's only really two events - yet you never notice that there's not a lot of action happening.”
Cortney wrote this review Saturday, January 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“In simple yet lyrical words, Jim Grimsley describes the life of Nathan and his family, newly moved into a small religious town and harboring a shameful secret, and Nathan’s developing relationship with (literally) boy-next-door Roy. At first engrossing, then sad and haunting, this book holds you in its grip up to the last page.”
cecille wants the Kaulitz twins for Christmas wrote this review Wednesday, August 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book is a well-written, kind of gothic novel, but very upsetting. If you're sensitive to rape or gay-bashing or violent themes in general, I do not recommend it. I had a pretty hard time with it.”
Hope N wrote this review Wednesday, August 20 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
