Gay romance with a twist
|
|
I couldn't put this book down. It is extremely funny in the early part and the author's punchy style and dialogue takes you by surprise until you settle down into it. There are no frills here, this is life in all its quirkiness and starkness - single mother bringing up a gay teenage son. Having moved to a new neighbourhood he soon meets the boy across the street with whom he will fall in love. It turns out that both sets of parents have dark secrets which they would rather keep hidden but which the boys eventually uncover. There are examples of prejudice and dreadful homophobic violence here which are entirely believable. Yates never uses two words where one will do and I certainly found myself wince at this and other parts of his narrative. There is both joy and sadness in this book. Read and enjoy it - it will haunt you long afterwards.
|
|
good read but not a must have
|
I agree with the other reviewer that this is light bedtime reading.
The first half of the book has a jd salinger style anti-hero attitude which draws in the reader and makes you laugh alongside the main character Noah's life and world. Nicely written and empathatic to surburban routine, I could't stop reading this novel at first. However, by the second half of the book, the storyline becomes mixed up with a secondary sub-plot which breaks up the main character's storyline and becomes less believable as a plot. It dwells on very bleak and dark events which whilst explaining the background to some characters in the events, feels too heavy and out of place for this book.
The coming out and aftermath sequence of events was done very well but the depressing and even bleaker sub-plot storylines that the authors seems intent on unraveling in the second part of the book leaves Noah's thoughts and anti-hero attitude become side-lined to other events, which I think weakens the overall enjoyment of the book. In summary, an excellent first half, somewhat disappointing second half but still very readable.
|
|
|
A Happy Holiday Reader!!
|
This is by far the best novel I have read in a long time. From start to end it is compelling, funny, emotional,maybe shocking in parts & not a book you'll be able to put down easily!!
If you like a raw novel with a gay theme(though not overdone) then buy this book, you won't be dissapointed!!!!
|
|
|
I couldn't put it down
|
|
This little gem was a real surprise. It's an intelligent, absorbing read with lots of humour. Bart Yates is excellent at creating believable characters and realistic dialogue. Leave Myself Behind is a rare treat - a good story with likeable characters which I found it difficult to put down.
|
|
|
What a great and pleasing read..
|
I started this book on a train journey for a few das away, and as soon as i got to my hotel, i had to continue and finish it, all in the same day.
It is so rare to have such a decent and sweet story for a gay fiction book.
an easy and pleasurable read.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada