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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
The closeness in which they have rested through the night continues to surround them during the breakfast, a peace that fills the space between them, almost visible. There is a softness in Roy's eyes when he watches Nathan, and for Nathan the feeling is perfected in some way; Roy anchors him in the present, strips away shadows of the past. Like breathing, in and out. Nathan basks in the beating of his own heart, in the descending calls of birds, in the fresh shadows of leaves on the backs of his hands. Life becomes a cool gentleness, a process of listening, a caressing presence. In the world that exists only through Roy.
TW: sexual abuse, rape
Also major spoilers
Phewwww. This book was so heavy throughout, but there always appeared to be a thread of hope stitching the whole thing together. Grimsley's writing style at times felt too sparse, at times too descriptive over unimportant things, but sometimes he would hit the nick just right and grace us with an amazing passage like the one above.
The way that Nathan views sexual intimacy is obviously tainted through the abuse he endures from his father, but I don't know if the way the book handles it is accurate? I would know absolutely nothing about that, so I won't pass any judgement.
However, during the last quarter of this book, there is an absolutely amazing atmospheric section describing the dark and the dread and the silence of a haunted plantation house. I felt my breath hitch and the tension was palpable on the page. However, this exploration of the haunted house unfolds into a graphic depiction of rape, and although the event was heavily foreshadowed for at least 80 pages, it was still so obviously jarring to read. I don't know if the event was necessary, and I had a feeling that something like this would occur between the characters, but still... The book does have a happy ending, but the last 30 pages feel so tainted by the rape that it was hard to process what was happening. I don't think that I'm squeamish, and deplorable things like this do happen, but my god Nathan had suffered enough, suffered more than anyone should ever have to endure. I'm just glad he got to run away with Roy.
But then again am I? Roy left him there in the house after Burke raped him and Nathan somehow miraculously rose from the dead and walked miles and miles through the woods to Roy's church? Roy doesn't even audibly apologize during their reunion? Will he learn from this? Will running away with Nathan actually force him to not be ashamed of his feelings for him? I understand that this book is set in the South, and during a very different time, and it does feel realistic in that way, but it's hard not to look back (from where we are now) and judge Roy for his silence.
Something within me really wants to like this book, and I think there is definitely something here. The highs weren't that high, and the lows were so so so low. It's just strange to me that Nathan is so passive in Roy's treatment of him, especially during the ending. Maybe I just don't understand.
TW: sexual abuse, rape
Also major spoilers
Phewwww. This book was so heavy throughout, but there always appeared to be a thread of hope stitching the whole thing together. Grimsley's writing style at times felt too sparse, at times too descriptive over unimportant things, but sometimes he would hit the nick just right and grace us with an amazing passage like the one above.
The way that Nathan views sexual intimacy is obviously tainted through the abuse he endures from his father, but I don't know if the way the book handles it is accurate? I would know absolutely nothing about that, so I won't pass any judgement.
However, during the last quarter of this book, there is an absolutely amazing atmospheric section describing the dark and the dread and the silence of a haunted plantation house. I felt my breath hitch and the tension was palpable on the page. However, this exploration of the haunted house unfolds into a graphic depiction of rape, and although the event was heavily foreshadowed for at least 80 pages, it was still so obviously jarring to read. I don't know if the event was necessary, and I had a feeling that something like this would occur between the characters, but still... The book does have a happy ending, but the last 30 pages feel so tainted by the rape that it was hard to process what was happening. I don't think that I'm squeamish, and deplorable things like this do happen, but my god Nathan had suffered enough, suffered more than anyone should ever have to endure. I'm just glad he got to run away with Roy.
But then again am I? Roy left him there in the house after Burke raped him and Nathan somehow miraculously rose from the dead and walked miles and miles through the woods to Roy's church? Roy doesn't even audibly apologize during their reunion? Will he learn from this? Will running away with Nathan actually force him to not be ashamed of his feelings for him? I understand that this book is set in the South, and during a very different time, and it does feel realistic in that way, but it's hard not to look back (from where we are now) and judge Roy for his silence.
Something within me really wants to like this book, and I think there is definitely something here. The highs weren't that high, and the lows were so so so low. It's just strange to me that Nathan is so passive in Roy's treatment of him, especially during the ending. Maybe I just don't understand.
A sad bittersweet tale. It sucks to be gay sometimes. Beautiful structure. Short and sweet.
This was ok. I read it a long time ago when I first got into LGBT literature. I thought it was wonderful- and it still is, in its own way. Now that I look back on it, it is not as good as what I have read recently. I know it's sort of a well known novel within the genre, but I am not truly a fan of it anymore.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a well written book although I preface that there are several content warnings (i.e. Child abuse, rape and murder) so it's not for everyone.
The descriptions in the book are vibrant and interesting, setting the scene well for a teen romance but with an underlying feeling of foreboding which of course is realised by the end of the book. Written 27 years ago, it's disappointing but not surprising that all the popular tropes are included and that's why I give this book a 3 out of 5 instead of 4. If I'd read the book 20 years ago I probably would have enjoyed it more (not being aware of the lazy/common tropes for gay characters)
For 80% of the book it's an enjoyable exploration of two teen boys figuring out their mutual attraction with some well written (and not too graphic) love scenes but the content still put's the book into the adult category rather than YA. The descriptions of the landscape & nature in the rural south (of America) is interesting and gives life to the story. It also touches on the dark past of slavery which I felt could have been explored a little more.
Overall it's a good read if you can get over the content warnings I list above.
The descriptions in the book are vibrant and interesting, setting the scene well for a teen romance but with an underlying feeling of foreboding which of course is realised by the end of the book. Written 27 years ago, it's disappointing but not surprising that all the popular tropes are included and that's why I give this book a 3 out of 5 instead of 4. If I'd read the book 20 years ago I probably would have enjoyed it more (not being aware of the lazy/common tropes for gay characters)
For 80% of the book it's an enjoyable exploration of two teen boys figuring out their mutual attraction with some well written (and not too graphic) love scenes but the content still put's the book into the adult category rather than YA. The descriptions of the landscape & nature in the rural south (of America) is interesting and gives life to the story. It also touches on the dark past of slavery which I felt could have been explored a little more.
Overall it's a good read if you can get over the content warnings I list above.
rating tbd
this was completely and utterly devastating. i loved it.
more detailed review hopefully to follow.
this was completely and utterly devastating. i loved it.
more detailed review hopefully to follow.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this book up randomly at a thrift store because I like the title. But I didn't expect to be so impacted as I am. Can we just talk about the ending! This author leaves the reader with two options. Either Nathan died at the end of the book. Or that Nathan lived somehow and ran off with Roy. But I also think the ending could be interpreted where Nathan did die and is a ghost and goes to see Roy at the church. But Roy can only see him. Like he's imagining that Nathan is still there. And while Roy runs up to Nathan in front of his church. The crowd think Roy's talking to no one and might be going mad. Roy's grief and guilt conjure up this image of Nathan. Idk those are just some of my thoughts. I wish this book was more well known cause I need people to discuss this with!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a beautiful book.. at first I was off put by Roy’s anger and his possessiveness, however this book transforms into a tale or southern gothic town that houses two boys with a secret. This book has a warm feeling. I recommend it
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes