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The acclaimed author of Afterlife and Borrowed Time tells the story of two Irish-Catholic brothers, one gay and one straight, one living with AIDS and one living in fear, whose fates collide on the California coast. Dramatic, darkly comic, and strongly plotted, this is a novel of families--those we are born into and those we select.\ \ The highly acclaimed author of Borrowed Time and Afterlife delivers his most powerful novel yet--"An AIDS elegy woven in anger and...
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The acclaimed author of Afterlife and Borrowed Time tells the story of two Irish-Catholic brothers, one gay and one straight, one living with AIDS and one living in fear, whose fates collide on the California coast. Dramatic, darkly comic, and strongly plotted, this is a novel of families--those we are born into and those we select.Publishers WeeklyThis affecting, timely story of reconciliation, forgiveness and love begins as Tom Shaheen, weakened by symptoms of AIDS, retreats to an isolated oceanfront mansion in California. An unexpected visit from his brother, Brian, sparks Tom's hatred--as a boy, athletic, well-loved Brian was Tom's antithesis and tormentor. Brian leaves but soon returns with his family, their lives threatened by his involvement in construction-business racketeering. Tom tries to forgive him and together they face uncertain futures. Meanwhile, Tom's tentative acknowledgment of love for his quiet, reliable landlord, Gray, leads to a bittersweet bond which both agree is better late than never. There are some false notes here: Tom's concealed incestuous desires are fueled by unlikely gestures of affection from Brian; Brian's past catches up with him in a climactic scene that may or may not be black comedy; Tom's triumphant returns to the stage as controversial drag queen Miss Jesus are hollow attempts to invoke the censorship issue. Still, Monette ( Borrowed Time ; Afterlife ) adeptly portrays fear and hope, and his memorable, multifaceted characters transcend the boundaries suggested by their sexual orientations. (Apr.)
\ Publishers Weekly\ - Publisher's Weekly\ This affecting, timely story of reconciliation, forgiveness and love begins as Tom Shaheen, weakened by symptoms of AIDS, retreats to an isolated oceanfront mansion in California. An unexpected visit from his brother, Brian, sparks Tom's hatred--as a boy, athletic, well-loved Brian was Tom's antithesis and tormentor. Brian leaves but soon returns with his family, their lives threatened by his involvement in construction-business racketeering. Tom tries to forgive him and together they face uncertain futures. Meanwhile, Tom's tentative acknowledgment of love for his quiet, reliable landlord, Gray, leads to a bittersweet bond which both agree is better late than never. There are some false notes here: Tom's concealed incestuous desires are fueled by unlikely gestures of affection from Brian; Brian's past catches up with him in a climactic scene that may or may not be black comedy; Tom's triumphant returns to the stage as controversial drag queen Miss Jesus are hollow attempts to invoke the censorship issue. Still, Monette ( Borrowed Time ; Afterlife ) adeptly portrays fear and hope, and his memorable, multifaceted characters transcend the boundaries suggested by their sexual orientations. (Apr.)\ \ \ \ \ Sharon DirlamA fast paced novel that swings between humor and tragedy, high camp and low down realism, gays and straights, winners and losers, people who are dying and people who are afraid to live. -- Los Angeles Times Book Review\ \ \ William J. HardingAn exceptionally honest and expressive work...a satisfyingly sane novel about living in an insane time. -- The New York Times Book Review\ \
