Reviews

I Am Not Raymond Wallace by Sam Kenyon

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 I am Not Raymond Wallace is a work of historical fiction focussed on the realities of homosexuality. In 1963 21 year old Raymond arrives in New York from England for a journalism internship. His assignment takes him into the secret gay world where he meets and falls in love with Joey. He is all set to stay but the arrival of his mother leads to a cowardly departure and a life of conformity back in England. Years later in Paris his son Joe meets Joey and a sort of healing takes place. I thought the gay world of the time was well portrayed - the code words, secret knocks and above all the fear of exposure. I absolutely loved Joey, his Papa and their relationship. I confess to being disappointed by Raymond. If he didn’t have the courage to live out his truth (and I recognise this was not an easy thing in 1963, especially given the way he seemed to be under the control of his domineering mother) he at least could have had the decency to tell Joey. I loved the book within a book structure in the first part of the novel but had some issues later on including too many changes of perspective, which may have been easier to keep track of in print rather than audio and too many coincidences with letters written but not sent or received. In many ways this book was a heartbreaking read, a reminder of they very real cost of society not permitting people to be who they were. The contrasting experiences of Raymond and his son Joe was a good reminder that society has made some progress, and added a welcome positive note to the very bittersweet ending in this tale of love that could have been. Not a perfect read but one I very much enjoyed and appreciated.
 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Suicide

onion_budgie's review

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

axelannala's review

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

pnwlisa's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0