In contrast to my previous two choices, I have not read anything by this author before.
New Yorker Nick Burd's first novel, THE VAST FIELDS OF ORDINARY, comes out 14 May 2009. Just read the blurb and tell me you don't want it. "Ruthless passion." Now that's ominous.
Amazon description:
It’s Dade’s last summer at home. He has a crappy job at Food World, a “boyfriend” who won’t publicly acknowledge his existence (maybe because Pablo also has a girlfriend), and parents on the verge of a divorce. College is Dade’s shining beacon of possibility, a horizon to keep him from floating away.
Then he meets the mysterious Alex Kincaid. Falling in real love finally lets Dade come out of the closet—and, ironically, ignites a ruthless passion in Pablo. But just when true happiness has set in, tragedy shatters the dreamy curtain of summer, and Dade will use every ounce of strength he’s gained to break from his past and start fresh with the future.
"a “boyfriend” who won’t publicly acknowledge his existence (maybe because Pablo also has a girlfriend)"
ReplyDeleteI laughed at this phrase - poor poor Dade! Then again, there is so much wrong with this phrase that I want to punch Pablo in the face. To deny a relationship and replace it with another that is not so true is tragedy!
cecilia
ME WANT IT!!! Yes, it makes me speak in improper english, i wish to have this in my life so much. tehe
ReplyDelete:)
-lauren
Cecilia - maybe Dade and the girl will both get a chance to punch Paolo for being false. That'd be cool.
ReplyDeleteLauren - Book lust renders me incapable of proper grammar often.
I just finished with my copy. I'll email you and I can send it to you if you want it.
ReplyDeleteHm, the model is quite thin. o-o That's the first thing I noticed. Gosh, I want to be as thin as him... ><
ReplyDeleteI never read books with the main character as a homosexual so I'm unsure if it'll be something I'll enjoy.
The blurb (which is slightly different than the one on the galley) doesn't do the book justice :(
ReplyDeleteThanks Robbie. And if the blurb doesn't do it justice I want it even more.
ReplyDeleteDiana - due to the curve, the first time I saw it I thought, "That pic gives her a case of man hands."
Do you not read any shonen ai at least?
I kind of dislike the blurb actually--it reeks of every other coming of age story (LGBT or straight) that's ever been written. I like LGBT, but this just sounds boring unless you like meandering stories where nothing much happens--I read Robbie's review and a few others, which basically confirmed my initial impression.
ReplyDelete@ Diana: It totally fits for the character, he's the sort of wussy gay guy, and it fits.
ReplyDeleteDo you not read GLBT fiction on principle, or just haven't seen any that you liked? This book spoke very personally to me as a gay guy, not entirely sure how it would work for people who don't usually read GLBT stuff.
Ruthless passion does give it some bite, I think.
ReplyDelete