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ktduk's review against another edition
4.0
A truly beautiful yet bittersweet book. I could've carried on reading about Ned and Jack forever really.
anjanj96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maya56's review against another edition
5.0
Such real characters—I loved them even when I didn't like them very much.
Blake Somerset's narration is really, really good!
Blake Somerset's narration is really, really good!
evila_elf's review against another edition
3.0
I am a little disappointed. While the writing is excellent, the storyline wasn't nearly as engaging as the previous book of his I read.
While lots of story/plot/history is normally good, this was just too much. For awhile, it almost seemed like a history book, touching lightly on every event from the war to AIDS to present. Maybe the fact that I knew most of this and the history part of it didn't teach me anything?
The main character, Ned...I kinda hated him until the last 3rd of the book. Strongly disliked might be a better term. He did nothing for me.
I do like who Ned turned out to be by the end, better for all his experiences and finally settling down (the flashes of him in the present at the start and end of the book being my favorite parts).
Odd to have a book that the writing flows so seamlessly while it takes over a minute to read one page.
Looking forward to trying another of this author's books (a thinner one this time ;) )
While lots of story/plot/history is normally good, this was just too much. For awhile, it almost seemed like a history book, touching lightly on every event from the war to AIDS to present. Maybe the fact that I knew most of this and the history part of it didn't teach me anything?
The main character, Ned...I kinda hated him until the last 3rd of the book. Strongly disliked might be a better term. He did nothing for me.
I do like who Ned turned out to be by the end, better for all his experiences and finally settling down (the flashes of him in the present at the start and end of the book being my favorite parts).
Odd to have a book that the writing flows so seamlessly while it takes over a minute to read one page.
Looking forward to trying another of this author's books (a thinner one this time ;) )
zefrog's review against another edition
4.0
Full Circle is an epic story about logical families, spanning almost 60 decades, that presents us with a sweeping historical panorama of the second half of the 20th century. As such the book is very ambitious and like most ambitious books it doesn’t quite achieves its aim, though I enjoyed how much it is anchored by real/historic events.
The second half particularly tends to lose focus, at the same time that Ford seems to run out of space ideas or space: the last 20-odd years are covered within a short chapter or so.
And just like Ned and Jack at some point ask themselves why they are friends with Andy, the elusive third protagonist of the story, it seems difficult to figure out what the purpose of Andy’s character is in the plot, other than as a useful narrative device to move things along.
This is the third book by Ford that I’ve read (and I believe his third book too). His writing has improved tremendously from his two first efforts and, despite a few odd corners still, the style is highly readable, creating a captivating story, that made me in turn chuckle and tear up, and always kept me gripped.
The second half particularly tends to lose focus, at the same time that Ford seems to run out of space ideas or space: the last 20-odd years are covered within a short chapter or so.
And just like Ned and Jack at some point ask themselves why they are friends with Andy, the elusive third protagonist of the story, it seems difficult to figure out what the purpose of Andy’s character is in the plot, other than as a useful narrative device to move things along.
This is the third book by Ford that I’ve read (and I believe his third book too). His writing has improved tremendously from his two first efforts and, despite a few odd corners still, the style is highly readable, creating a captivating story, that made me in turn chuckle and tear up, and always kept me gripped.
supposedlyfun's review against another edition
4.25
Ned Brummel, a history professor living in Maine with his partner of 12 years, is sent on a trip down memory lane when he receives word that an old friend is dying. While Ned travels to Chicago to be by his friend's bedside we are taken through his life story. Ned's profession is not an accident, as he will prove to be an excellent guide through a tumultuous time period.
Born in 1950, Ned is an accidental witness to a wildly active period in gay history. He comes of age at the same time that the Stonewall riots occur, spends a tour in Vietnam, navigates the minefield of the AIDS crisis, witnesses the era of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and settles into the modern age of It Gets Better. It's like a primer on gay history for the last sixty years, which has proven to be a fascinating time of hardship and strife, but also of progress and change. Any gay man wanting to know what it was like to live as a gay man in the latter half of the 20th century would do well to pick up this novel. But this isn't a mere history lesson, so don't be daunted. Ned's life brushes with historical events in a manner similar to Forrest Gump, without so much of the cloying. One of my big pet peeves is when an author tries so desperately hard to contrive a way for his or her characters to be present at every significant event during a certain time period. For the most part, Ford makes it seem natural. It helps that some of the period details are merely hinted at. Ned sees a brassy singer performing in a bathhouse and speculates that she's got a big future. The lady in question is never named, but it seems clear that he means Bette Midler. These moments are fun. There are, however, some that don't work. Like when Ned and his friend Jack remark that Gloria Vanderbuilt's six-year old son Anderson Cooper is clearly gay. That's a touch too prescient (and a bit of an eye-roll).
Like I said, I don't want to get too caught up in the historical angle and scare you off. The personal story driving Ned's narrative doesn't deserve short shrift. It's a story of friendship, love, coming of age, and finding your own place in the world. It begins with Ned and Jack, neighbors born just one day apart. They are sure they will be best friends for life. In adolescence they realize they are both gay and begin experimenting, deepening their connection. All seems to be going well until they go to college and meet Andy, a seemingly heterosexual roommate that both Jack and Ned can't resist. Lust and resentment bloom, and the three men spend the next thirty years falling into and out of each other's lives. Hard times, good times, relationships, break-ups, swinging singles. Illness. Death. My god, it's like a gay version of Beaches.*
Is it a perfect novel? No. It has flaws. But it's a sweet story and well-told. It deserves to be read and experienced.
Grade: A
*Redundant
For more Great LGBT Book Recommendations, please visit the LGBT Books page on my blog.
Born in 1950, Ned is an accidental witness to a wildly active period in gay history. He comes of age at the same time that the Stonewall riots occur, spends a tour in Vietnam, navigates the minefield of the AIDS crisis, witnesses the era of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and settles into the modern age of It Gets Better. It's like a primer on gay history for the last sixty years, which has proven to be a fascinating time of hardship and strife, but also of progress and change. Any gay man wanting to know what it was like to live as a gay man in the latter half of the 20th century would do well to pick up this novel. But this isn't a mere history lesson, so don't be daunted. Ned's life brushes with historical events in a manner similar to Forrest Gump, without so much of the cloying. One of my big pet peeves is when an author tries so desperately hard to contrive a way for his or her characters to be present at every significant event during a certain time period. For the most part, Ford makes it seem natural. It helps that some of the period details are merely hinted at. Ned sees a brassy singer performing in a bathhouse and speculates that she's got a big future. The lady in question is never named, but it seems clear that he means Bette Midler. These moments are fun. There are, however, some that don't work. Like when Ned and his friend Jack remark that Gloria Vanderbuilt's six-year old son Anderson Cooper is clearly gay. That's a touch too prescient (and a bit of an eye-roll).
Like I said, I don't want to get too caught up in the historical angle and scare you off. The personal story driving Ned's narrative doesn't deserve short shrift. It's a story of friendship, love, coming of age, and finding your own place in the world. It begins with Ned and Jack, neighbors born just one day apart. They are sure they will be best friends for life. In adolescence they realize they are both gay and begin experimenting, deepening their connection. All seems to be going well until they go to college and meet Andy, a seemingly heterosexual roommate that both Jack and Ned can't resist. Lust and resentment bloom, and the three men spend the next thirty years falling into and out of each other's lives. Hard times, good times, relationships, break-ups, swinging singles. Illness. Death. My god, it's like a gay version of Beaches.*
Is it a perfect novel? No. It has flaws. But it's a sweet story and well-told. It deserves to be read and experienced.
Grade: A
*Redundant
For more Great LGBT Book Recommendations, please visit the LGBT Books page on my blog.
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