Reviewer: Alan Chin
Publisher: Circumspect Press
Pages: 252
This story compiles three snapshots in the life of Gabe, a
gay man with a troubled soul, biting wit, and razor sharp tongue. Each snapshot—near
death, middle age, young teen—focuses on his relationship with his love
interest during that fragment of his life.
Gabe is a man who, because of a sexual-bullying incident
during his early years, has built up strong, thick walls around his heart, and
uses his cutting wit to keep people at a distance, even though he craves love
and affection. Completely self-absorbed, he is also a man that during the beginning
of the AIDS epidemic, was changing sexual partners as often as he was changing
his socks.
This is not really what I consider an AIDS story, yet the
virus plays a major role in the interplay between Gabe and his love interests.
This is a sad story brushed onto the canvas with insightful, dark humor and
touching flourishes.
Gabe is not a likable character, yet the author skillfully
presents his protagonist in such a way that the reader understands why Gabe
chooses to push people away, even people he loves. Also, the three snapshots
are told in reverse-chronological order, so the reader builds up sympathy for
the character while he struggles with AIDS, and then in the end, reveals the
sexual incident that derailed Gabe’s life, to finally bring understanding.
Reversing the order was a stroke of genius.
The author presents a story that is heartfelt and authentic,
and told with great skill.
If you are looking for a gushing mm romance with a happy
ending, keep looking. If you are looking, however, for a well-written,
intelligent, bittersweet tale of love and overcoming a troubled past, then I
can highly recommend this gem of a book.
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