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kaje_harper 's review for:
Mark Cooper versus America
by Lisa Henry, J.A. Rock
There is a lot going on in this book, for what at first seems like a humorous look at an Australian teen starting at an American college, and dealing with culture shock in his own brash and inimitable way.
That top layer of the story is amusing, and sweet. Mark is funny, rebellious but kind underneath it, sexy and yet uncertain about his own wants and needs. Deacon is sweet and steady, the good boy who is just now finally letting himself be something more. Watching them find each other, and themselves, and explore a few kinks and some emotion, is a very worthwhile trip. There are laugh-out-loud moments, realistic obstacles, and some heated scenes that are not just sex but also tied to the plot. Mark has some great lines, as he thinks about some of the Americanisms he encounters.
There is some exploration of kinks, of letting yourself enjoy what you enjoy. Nothing deep or strange, but an easy interaction of "do you like this?" and "would it turn you on if I do this?" that feels natural. These guys are working toward a mutual relationship, and part of how well it works is finding that their kinks do mesh together in a very nice way. I thought their times together were beautifully done, with the emotions and uncertainties and desires and sensations blended in a very appealing way.
This book is also an exposition, using the microcosm of an American university fraternity, of some of the things that are very wrong with society today. Not just in America, but also in Australia, and Canada, and England, and a host of other places, to varying degrees. Some people may feel that it is unfair to the Greek system, which to its credit has made an effort to ban hazing and patrol the excesses of the past "rush and pledging" process. However, I think it's pretty realistic.
Most of the fraternities and sororities in this book are fairly benign or positive, and judging from the experiences of my own two kids now in college, I don't think having one frat that walks the line is unusual. I also don't think the "we're watching you closely" kind of minimal response to low-level infractions is unrealistic. The pattern I see, in all areas of wealth and privilege in our society, is a tendency to ignore or excuse low-to-moderate level misbehavior, and then come down hard suddenly when wrong-doing passes the bounds that can be allowed, or when outside attention and pressure becomes focused. If you read both individual accounts and news stories, and you can see that this behavior still occurs in fraternities and sororities, and although the Greek organizations do respond when it's clearly required, a lot still slides under the radar or is dismissed with a warning. Read accounts of high-school bullying and the school responses and you see it's not an isolated problem, despite positive strides being made. But the point in this story is not to put down the fraternity system. For instance, Deacon's frat brothers are his friends, and have been his support system for years.
The book lays clear the way the fraternity mimics a broader society. We allow those who are wealthy and attractive and white and male and straight to somehow feel they have some inalienable right to more out of life than their “inferiors.” That any kind exploitation of others is their due, just for being who they are. It highlights the way our culture of “take it like a man” and “if you complain you're weak” and “a tattletale” results in a tendency to let this elite get away with their behavior, whether they are college seniors, or politicians, or athletes or wealthy businessmen. As I read, I really wanted someone to stand up and say, "This isn't right" but we have taught our kids (and adults) not to "snitch", not to speak up for fear of looking personally weak. We have made whistle-blowing a risky and disdained activity, that can get you branded a "traitor" as often as it gets you lauded for your courage. Maybe more often.
The book never falls into melodrama, and I loved that. There are no giant screaming climactic crises to mar the realistic feel. That doesn't mean nothing important or affecting happens, but that every component feels in proportion to the rest. The ending is satisfying and while the book made me think (and rant a little toward the middle) it is first and foremost a sweet, hot and interesting college love story with two guys I'd love to revisit. This will be a reread.
That top layer of the story is amusing, and sweet. Mark is funny, rebellious but kind underneath it, sexy and yet uncertain about his own wants and needs. Deacon is sweet and steady, the good boy who is just now finally letting himself be something more. Watching them find each other, and themselves, and explore a few kinks and some emotion, is a very worthwhile trip. There are laugh-out-loud moments, realistic obstacles, and some heated scenes that are not just sex but also tied to the plot. Mark has some great lines, as he thinks about some of the Americanisms he encounters.
There is some exploration of kinks, of letting yourself enjoy what you enjoy. Nothing deep or strange, but an easy interaction of "do you like this?" and "would it turn you on if I do this?" that feels natural. These guys are working toward a mutual relationship, and part of how well it works is finding that their kinks do mesh together in a very nice way. I thought their times together were beautifully done, with the emotions and uncertainties and desires and sensations blended in a very appealing way.
This book is also an exposition, using the microcosm of an American university fraternity, of some of the things that are very wrong with society today. Not just in America, but also in Australia, and Canada, and England, and a host of other places, to varying degrees. Some people may feel that it is unfair to the Greek system, which to its credit has made an effort to ban hazing and patrol the excesses of the past "rush and pledging" process. However, I think it's pretty realistic.
Most of the fraternities and sororities in this book are fairly benign or positive, and judging from the experiences of my own two kids now in college, I don't think having one frat that walks the line is unusual. I also don't think the "we're watching you closely" kind of minimal response to low-level infractions is unrealistic. The pattern I see, in all areas of wealth and privilege in our society, is a tendency to ignore or excuse low-to-moderate level misbehavior, and then come down hard suddenly when wrong-doing passes the bounds that can be allowed, or when outside attention and pressure becomes focused. If you read both individual accounts and news stories, and you can see that this behavior still occurs in fraternities and sororities, and although the Greek organizations do respond when it's clearly required, a lot still slides under the radar or is dismissed with a warning. Read accounts of high-school bullying and the school responses and you see it's not an isolated problem, despite positive strides being made. But the point in this story is not to put down the fraternity system. For instance, Deacon's frat brothers are his friends, and have been his support system for years.
The book lays clear the way the fraternity mimics a broader society. We allow those who are wealthy and attractive and white and male and straight to somehow feel they have some inalienable right to more out of life than their “inferiors.” That any kind exploitation of others is their due, just for being who they are. It highlights the way our culture of “take it like a man” and “if you complain you're weak” and “a tattletale” results in a tendency to let this elite get away with their behavior, whether they are college seniors, or politicians, or athletes or wealthy businessmen. As I read, I really wanted someone to stand up and say, "This isn't right" but we have taught our kids (and adults) not to "snitch", not to speak up for fear of looking personally weak. We have made whistle-blowing a risky and disdained activity, that can get you branded a "traitor" as often as it gets you lauded for your courage. Maybe more often.
The book never falls into melodrama, and I loved that. There are no giant screaming climactic crises to mar the realistic feel. That doesn't mean nothing important or affecting happens, but that every component feels in proportion to the rest. The ending is satisfying and while the book made me think (and rant a little toward the middle) it is first and foremost a sweet, hot and interesting college love story with two guys I'd love to revisit. This will be a reread.