Boys Books

Introduced by Poppy Z. Brite, this Australian import features Storm Constantine at her usual best. Worth every cent, The Thorn Boy is a work of art.

This was originally intended for one of the "Bending the Landscape" collections of gay-oriented SF/fantasy, so it should come as no surprise that it has LOTS of gay and homoerotic content. But, as usual, Storm's handling of the relationships is among the best I've read, and overall this is a great, if a bit short, story. That's my only serious beef with the book; it's a novella published as a single work and at US$13 or so, it's quite pricey. It has since been reprinted by a domestic press with additional stories to "flesh it out" as a collection of short fiction, and that edition is easier to find, cheaper, and a better overall buy.

I think there would be a lot more reviews of this if only it were easier to find! There are far too few copies of this exquisite novella, alas.

An elaboration of a historical event mentioned in Crown of Silence, the second book of Storm Constantine's Magravandias trilogy, Thorn Boy is a tragic love story with elements that are rare -- chiefly its focus on kings and their boy lovers, lovers who are not only willing but devoted...these boys have not been emasculated but are whole beings with their own masculine will and passion, albeit tempered by fate. Storm's rich, seductive imagery is here in full force and there are wonderfully evocative passages of love and sex as well as grief and pain. Splendid from beginning to end.

For a much richer review, check out one written by Kris Dotto for Inception, the Storm Constantine fan zine I edit.

She's baaaaaack...

Any Storm Constantine fans who were hooked by the Wraeththu novels and have been disappointed in her other works will be overjoyed to realize that she hasn't lost it, it's just been lying dormant a while, and in this novel it has returned in full force. "It" being her marvelously lyrical, poetic prose and deliciously decadent and aesthetically fascinating worldbuilding. And, for those who are fans of it, the homoerotic element is powerful and prominent (and explicit) in this book.

This story takes place in a fantasy realm where two countries---one that's similar to ancient Persia, another similar to ancient China, although these comparisons are too crude---have just completed a war. The king of Mewt is dead, and the king of Cos lays claim to the dead king's "boy," a beautiful and strange young man named Akaten who, to everyone's shock, actually grieves for his lost king. No one is more horrified at this---actual love between a king and his boy---than Darien, the favorite boy of the kind of Cos (until Akaten comes along). In Cos, kings often take beautiful young men as concubines/sex slaves, but they would never dream of actually *loving* such boys, and the boys know better than to expect love in return. But Akaten does, and he turns the entire palace and the very order of Cossic high society upside down because of it. In the end, no one will escape unscathed.

Several things made this story unique. Many novels have explored past societies in which young men served as sexual objects for other men, but few have done such a wonderful job of incorporating desire and sensuality into these worlds without somehow emasculating the boys. This one doesn't. And there is an almost holy quality to this story; both Darien and Akaten are motivated by far more than lust and love. Patron goddesses, spiritual epiphanies, and rigid traditions all play a powerful part in this story. And the story is simply beautiful. Cos is beautiful, the characters are beautiful, and the writing itself is beautiful---as befits a story about a decadent, hedonistic ancient society. This is the closest allegory to the Japanese "yaoi" literary model that I've ever been able to find in the English language---closer even than Wraeththu.

My only complaint is that it's painfully short. This is one-day reading (actually only took me a few hours), here, and that's a true shame because when I find a good book, I like for it to last a while. But that's just my impatience. The story didn't feel truncated, to me---sometimes a story is just meant to be short, and to extend it would dilute its power. In this case, the story was short, bittersweet, and *very* powerful. Definitely recommended.

I had the priveledge of hearing Louis Posner speak last year. Not only was he incredibly inspirational, but he was full of life. It was an honor to meet him. Listening to his story changed my life. If anybody is thinking about buying this book, don't hesitate. It's worth every penny, plus more. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Last year I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Mr. Poser speak. For over an hour I was held spellbound by his enthusiasm, knowledge and ability to encapsulate a period of time in our history that was so devastating to so many people. He has accomplished the same with his book. Writing about his own personal experiences and weaving in historical facts adds a dimension and flavor to that period of time that you can genuinely feel. History and non-history buffs alike will find this book enlightening and thought provoking.

I have listened to the author give lectures so I was interested in the book version where he adds details and am very pleased with the result. The content is neither depressive nor heroic. It has a balance as seen from the perspective of an adolescent, alone and hunted by the Gestapo, who has courage and will to survive Auschwitz for two years. I highly recommend it for high school libraries.

I realy enjoyed this book. It was delightful to see how the indomitable human spirit can survive. This book is a true inspiration.

I first met Dr Millhuff in 1988 in Hemet, CA during a Revival Meeting. His God inspired message touched me then, and his soulful book touches me now!!

He looks into his childhood and examines his experiences and his emotional reactions to those experiences. This process is so vital to both spiritual & emothional growth that everyone should enjoy reading this book!!

I first met Dr Millhuff in 1988 during a Revival Meeting in Hemet, Ca. His presence and God-given message was as powerful then - and I believe in much the same way this book is now.

He guides the reader through his impressionable years and talks of how he was impacted. He unapologetically explains that his twin brother was not affected in the same way by the same experiences. This was not explored further in the book, but it points out a great psychological truth -- we all develop diferently based on our individual interpretations of the same experiences.

Use this book to re-examine your early life and decisions!!

Though I grew up in Kansas City I remember so many of Dr. Millhuff's feelings in my own life during the 40's. I admit I shed a tear and often smiled as I read this unforgetable story. What a great gift for anyone who lived during those years or for one who wishes to experiance them. I served with the Army in Europe with a rifle company and have a new insight into what that war ment to a child at home. It will move you.

Through his skillful use of words, Millhuff tells a compelling story that captivates both heart and mind. It allows the reader to connect with the emotional pain of a young child and, as an outcome, to more adequately understand children who are unable to adapt to the rigid systems of their cultural environments. Though only one story, this narrative undoubtedly represents the experiences of many troubled children. Reading this record of Millhuff's perceptions of childhood events gave me new insight about and empathy for these children.

This book is recommended reading for my university students who are education majors. I feel that Millhuff's telling account will influence the way teachers view all children and encourage them to strive to meet the needs of each student in caring ways.

I purchased this set for a friend and She loved it! It looks great out of the box and the figures are great! I love it!

Oh my gosh! My daughter loves Tim Burton and when I saw this set, I had to get it for her for Christmas. It is very unique and a must for Burton addicts.

I love my Stick Boy and Match Girl figurines that come with this set, but I ran into one little problem when I was going to send one of the cards to a friend--the cards don't fit in their envelopes. With a little cramming, I finally got it in there, but it was bow-shaped because the card was just a bit too large for the tiny envelope. This is a unique and fun product, but I don't recommend it if you are actually planning to use the cards.

I bought this as a gift for my girlfriend. She is into odd art and objects and this was just the thing. She has read Tim Burton's book, but enjoys his art work more than the stories, thus I felt like this would be a good gift. Nicely packaged and even cooler out of the box.

This book is very good. Most of the things I read about in this book I had aleady read about in the movie magazines of the 70's and 80's. Unlike the movie magazines there is the truth to the stories in the book. I espically like learning about Tom's younger years, and his relationship with his family. There was a little to much about Englebert Humperdinck and Gilbert O'Sullivan, after all this is a biography about Tom Jones. The discagraphy was interesting. Some of the albums must be UK or European releases. Same for the singles. The continuity of the book could have been better, there was too much jumping from one decade to another though out the book. The information about Elvis and Tom's friendship was well documented, as was the friendship between Tom and Gordon Mills. I've been a fan of Tom's since I was about twelve and this book is something I've dreamed about owning. It holds a special place on my keeper shelf.

There are performers and then there are great performers like Tom Jones. This book covers everything you ever wanted to know about Thomas John (aka Tom Jones) Woodward from his early days near Pontypridd, Wales to his heart-stopping Las Vegas shows. Author Colin Macfarlane strips away the glitz and glamour so you meet Tommy as a handsome toddler from the Rhondda Valley, then Tom, the rebellious teen "Teddy boy" . . . and finally Tom, the mature, savvy, very sexy man known to many as simply The Voice. His childhood, courtship and marriage, family life, climb to fame, private dreams, even some embarrassing moments that made Tom blush -- all those juicy little details that inquiring minds love to read are here throughout the pages of TOM JONES, THE BOY FROM NOWHERE. A legend from the Land of Song, Tom Jones -- the music, the man -- is captured in this book as a real person, not some cardboard character out of Hollywood. Thanks, Colin M! acfarlane, for letting us glimpse the real man whose star will forever shine.

This book offers a no frills version of Tom from his early days in Pontypridd, South Wales right through to when he made it to the big time in America. It is a fascinating early insight into the Boy From Nowhere's life with genuine interviews with members of his family who were there from the start. Colin Macfarlane tells a good story as he lived in in Tom's home vilage of Treforest when he wrote it. Tom has said it is the best biography of him and there has been talk by Tom Jones, Colin Macfarlane and Welsh film director Karl Francis turning it into a movie.

This book came as a big surprise, as it relays in a unique way, the life of a boy from the valleys who had a lot of cheek and a voice that astounded. The fascinating thing about this book is the insight the author Macfarlane gives when it comes to looking at Tom's manager Gordon Mills who bluffed his way through life and ended up being a millionaire. Engelbert Humperdinck also appears as a sort of cameo actor in the Jones life story. This is a good tale, well written, and it is obvious Macfarlane talked not only the man himself but sources very close to him. This biography is a one off, a true reflection of the man that sticks in the mind months after reading it. Well done Macfarlane, let's see more books from you!

This is a great book! I love the way the story takes you on a trip through history and teaches all sorts of fascinating stuff, but does it in a really entertaining way. The story relates the plight of an orphaned boy who was on a train when it crashed, killing the rest of his family. He is cared for by the men working on the railroad, and has to navigate his way through the unfamiliar world into which he's been dropped. The story is full of interesting facts and authentic detail that make it so much more than just a good story. I feel like I have a very real sense of what living conditions must have been like for the men who worked on building the Transcontinental Railroad. Highly recommended!

I found this book hard to put down. I wanted to know more with every new thing that was happening. It really took you back to those earlier days, without a doubt. I have trouble getting into books that don't hold my interest immediately, but Ric's book was no problem at all. I hope he continues to write more books and sequals too. I really enjoy his work and look forward to more great reading. Thanks Ric.

Train Wreck was most engaging. I loved learning about the characters, and their past and present lives. It was really an epic story and ended much to soon. Would have like to know how the characters continue their lives. Maybe Reed will write a sequel.

Henry Russell

Having spent much time studying this time period in our history, I found this book to be the ONLY story I've EVER read that captures the true character, lifestyle, and sense of the American people of this period. The story woven around the building of transcontinental railroad and the travels of a boy, Timmy, is historically correct and still fun. The details and flavor that Reed gives of the building of the railroad, stage rides and firearms of the time are refreshingly accurate. This was an amazing time in our countries history and Reed has done an excellent job of capturing it in the eyes of an 11 year old boy.
Mike Lynch
History Professor, Nebraska
Submitted by author for Prof Lynch who does not own a computer.

Dr. Ben Wofford is truly great author. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat with this book. Everyone needs a copy of his book on their shelf.
Everyone should get the opportunity to meet Dr. Wofford. he is truly an amazing man. I have had the pleasure of working with him.

This is a wonderful book, It is a book you would read over and over again. I give it 5 stars
Everyone should own a copy of his books. Also everyone should have the opportunity to meet Dr. Ben Wofford, he is truly one of a kind. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to have worked with him.

If you like Mark Twain, you will love this book! Of course, I am a bit biased since I am Ben Wofford's son.

A World War II veteran, Ben Wofford grew up during the Great Depression. He served in the Navy and was able to earn his way through Medical School. He practiced medicine for forty years as a family practitioner. His avocations include farming, flying, and sailing. He sounds like my dad.

Set in 1933 in the rural outreaches of Catawba County, North Carolina, Wofford's Uncle Henry's Ghost is a whimsical narrative of country life through the eyes of a boy growing up on a farm. There's been a murder, or what looks like a murder. A school house has been burned down. Close by is an old roadhouse called "The Moon Palace," and some say it is haunted. Certainly there are stories about a cache of money being hidden in the old place:

"It was commonly believed that Sheriff Canter-. That was his name, Canter. It was commonly believed that Sheriff Canter was getting rich off the Moon Palace, paid by the owners to look the other way. That may or may not have been so, but when it came time to read his will, there wasn't much left for his widow and she had to take in boarders to make ends meet. Some people maintain that he got rich all right, but lost it all in the Stock Market."

Uncle Henry's Ghost is a tale that makes the reader feel like they are sitting on their grandfather's knee. Wofford's background as a general practitioner gives him a special compassion for what medicine represented back in the first half of the Nineteenth Century...when there was a standard system of ethics in all things. Growing up during those times meant that one understood what the rules were...and how everyone helped out their neighbor without the necessity of a lot of money changing hands. For us as readers it represents a simpler time...a time of family, church, and working hard.

Wofford spins a fairly lively yard, even as he shows us what life was like before the advent of computers, video games, and plastic food. We need more of these types of tales to show us the way during the present state of confusion in our world. Wofford gives us a nice, safe place to hide...a place where a boy can still take his dog out for a swim and stick frogs in his teacher's desk. An excellent tale from a man who was probably one heck of a doctor. Thanks.

Shelley Glodowsky
Reviewer

Brilliant and biting. I loved this book. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. I just loved the nuclear bomb in the garden gnome.

What else can you say about a book that combines nuclear bombs, free hotdogs, quickmart secessions and fame hungry journalists?

I can't describe the book without giving away too much of the plot or the deliciously funny situations that are in it. But I will say this, it hits close to home with the way the country has become so divided in the last eight years. This may poke fun, but at its center it shows the problems facing the U.S. in a light hearted but grimly honest way.

Nick Mamatas writes horror, science-fiction, fantasy, humor, and political commentary, and is strong and assured in each. All are on display in this fine short novel, which is perfect for both teens and adults.

Nick Mamatas, Under My Roof (Soft Skull Press, 2007)

Nick Mamatas returns with his first young adult novel, Under My Roof. If you're used to Mamatas' rather acerbic wit, then you know what to expect (and why are you reading a review? You already know you want the book. Get it). If not, well, let me introduce you. Or, better yet, introduce yourself and don't bother reading a review; suffice to say Mamatas is one of the better young writers out there, and he has yet to release a book that doesn't lend solid evidence to that hypothesis. So just buy it already.

What, you're still here? Okay. It's pretty difficult to stick up a synopsis without giving away spoilers, so I'll just say there's Herbert, a psychic twelve-year-old kid, and his dad Daniel, who wants to secede from the United States, and thus hides a one-megaton nuclear device in a garden gnome, sticks it out on his front lawn, and declares his house and yard the Sovereign Kingdom of Weinbergia. As expected, panic erupts. As perhaps not expected, there's also a sudden and widespread surge of hope as hundreds of other separationists start popping out of the woodwork and seceding from the United States. (While I don't think it's ever explicitly stated for any of them but Weinbergia, it seems the tiny island nation of Palau is very interested in setting up trade relations with the lot of them.)

Yeah, yeah, political satire, blah blah blah. Everyone else has already remarked on all that. What I haven't seen is anything about the wonderful disjunction of having as your narrator a psychic prepubescent. Here's a kid who's pretty much guaranteed to be a walking advertisement for antipsychotics were he to really exist. Mamatas gives him the requisite (and plausible) mix of cynicism and naivete, sets it in motion, and sees where it will end up. The resulting voice is a mass of barely-controlled confusion that rings true-- or as true as a psychic prepubescent can, anyway. He's the perfect narrator for this tale, as his eyes are fresh, and mentally he's still twelve, but he's gained enough knowledge of the way things work from reading the minds of others to question the authority (and assume the stupidity) of those around him.

Mamatas has popped out three novels to date, and all three of them are winners. It doesn't matter with which you start, but Under My Roof probably has the widest all-around appeal, so you might as well start here. But, hey, why not buy all three, so when you're done devouring this one, you won't have to wait for the others to show up in your mailbox? ****

This book is an absolute pip! It's easy, breezy, beautiful and wonderful, Wonderful, WONDERFUL! Damned if I can think of a better way to while away a few hours than by reading it.

12 year old Herbert Weinberg is at that lovely time in his life where he doesn't have a care in the world. Well except for having to deal with his own telepathy, his eccentric genius father building a nuclear bomb and declaring the homestead an independent state and the general adult conspiracy against children to raise them up as vaguely unhappy as themselves.

I got more chortles, snickers and outright belly-laughs out of this book than the average P.G. Wodehouse opus. It's like Mamatas has yanked Wodehouse's type of absurdist family farce right out of the Edwardian age and plunked it down in the 21st century where we need it the most. Unfortunately I understand a distributing snafu has delayed wide release of this little gem, but it's well worth the wait. Where else can you find peace treaties in hot dogs, nuclear bombs in garden gnomes and independent states in the back of Convenience Stores?

You owe it to yourself to pick this one up - Everyone wants to be happy, we're just conditioned to think that being vaguely unhappy is what being adult is all about.

Having spent my teen years in the late 50s/early 60s and being a big fan of the music from that era I definitely could relate to Dee Dee Phelps story. But truthfully, with the exception of the song "Turn Around", I never got particularly excited about Dick & Dee Dee's catalog of music and I picked up this book imagining that it would be a relatively lightweight piece of fluff. Very quickly I found out that Dee Dee was pulling no punches in describing both the light and the dark side of the 60's music industry and her partner Dick St. John (who comes across as somewhat of an obnoxious egotist). Her accounts of recording sessions and adventures while touring the country by bus with other music notables make for great reading. Highly recommended!

I like this book 'cause I could easily relate to it.... kinda'. Dee Dee is just like me... she is one of us -- a every-day kid growing up in the 50s and 60s. That was me... riding in the car, listening to the music. I could imagine the DJ playing my song. Only Dee Dee din't just imagine it. She did it. It was the beginning of a decade-long ride on the roller coaster of rock and roll. Dick Clark, Quincy Jones, the Beach Boys, Glenn Campbell, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton... Dick and Dee Dee rubbed shoulders with all of them. There were good times and there were bad times. This is her "behind the scenes" story. It's pretty cool.

Dee Dee Phelps did a wonderful job on this book and capturing her adventures as a teenager thrusted in the music industry and the ups and downs of touring the world. Great stories thruout the book -- if you love 60's Rock and Roll -- This is a must read! Thank you Dee Dee for telling this wonderful part of Rock and Roll History!

Vinyl Highway: A Memoir is the true-life story of singer Dee Dee Phelps. Packed with stories that tell both the bright and dark sides of fame, Vinyl Highway relates the experiences of performing with such legends as Dick Clark, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, and other memorable recording artists of the 60s; Dee Dee's role in creating five Billboard gold records; and her routine as a semi-regular on the ABC show "Shindig". An up-close and personal reminiscence of the thick of the 60's music scene, and a treat for anyone who remembers the sounds of the 60's fondly.

A good read ! This nicely written little book evokes many memories in one who lived through the years which shaped our hero, Wally Weet...this from one whose only connection to the "Catholic Experience" was as a Presbyterian playing basketball for his local CYO club under an assumed name.
If you were raised in the "Wally Years" you will find both joy and pain in the memories - our children and grandchildren will gain a new insight into why we are the way we are. Put this one on your list.

Bill Bruehl's title character-alter ego doesn't discuss winter sports, but in most of his adventures, from pre-school to newly married, Wally skates on thin ice. Bruehl draws on his long experience as actor-director-playwright to produce dramatic scenes:
*being in constant conflict with nuns, priest, and fellow students at Catholic schools
*looking for his lucky break on Broadway in his mid-teens without help from parents or high school drama coach
*riding ninety miles an hour on a double date on prom night with a buddy who has just that day gotten his driver's license
*having his sexual initiation as a teenager with a thirtysomething woman who may also be his father's mistress
*losing blood after walking out of a hospital the day following throat surgery and striking off to another town to begin work as assistant manager of a Woolworth's store
*"borrowing" from the Woolworth's tax-money boxes when his personal finances run short
*facing multiple risks of court martial when he falsifies his military documents and later engages in a black market scheme with goods from the PX
*theatening to drive off and leave his wife of one year after they quarrel over whether the back window in their car should be open or shut as they ride
The sub-title, "Catholic School Boys Don't Just Fight After School," pertains to a signifcant aspect of Wally-Bill's life, although -- as noted -- these memoirs cover a much broader span of life than parochial school. Against his wishes, Wally's parents push him to fight back against physical assaults from school mates, but the elder Weets disapprove when he fights against intellectual and spiritual assaults on his person by the faculty. After running away from fights, Wally comes out on top, physically and metaphorically, when he finally is forced to fight and pulverizes the class bully and gains grudging respect from other boys on the playground. His misgivings about church dogma are solidified in a senior apologetics class (intended to turn teenage Catholics into defenders of the faith) which has a boomerang effect. When the priest-teacher belittles Wally's questioning, this is the culmination of twelve years of "don't ask-don't think" schooling. Wally is driven to agnosticism.
Wally's derring-do, which leads him to skate on thin ice, also helps him develop life skills, as he works alongside his never-quite-successful restaurant owner father in renovating dilapidated buildings and reconstructing a caved-in parking lot; and as he works long hours learning the ropes with managing the five-and-dime.

Through the stories of Wally Weet, author Bill Bruehl skillfully draws readers into a sense of place and love of family amidst a gathering storm of emotions and conflict. For those who grew up in the age of "genteel poverty" during the depression and WWII, the true-to-life stories will strike a familiar chord. For those who come from a strict Irish Catholic background, readers will reflect, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with a shudder, "Yes! That's the way it was."

Wally learns the value of hard work at an early age from his father, Big Brian, who believes fiercely in The American Dream. But Wally never learns to conform. His intelligence, his innate talent for drama, spawned by a need to be noticed and accepted among his peers in an all boys Catholic School keeps him in a constant state of rebellion, often on the brink of self-destruction. Crucial losses at a young age turn pain into rage.

A chapter entitled "Prom Date" portrays a poignant picture of a dream come true as Wally schemes and works his way through a maze of hurdles for an unforgettable high school prom night with his girlfriend.

With dreams of drama and adventure, Wally careens toward adulthood, sexual encounters, threats of expulsion from school, a stint in the army, and a passion for literature. There seems no middle ground among the highs and lows of Wally's life. Thus, as Wally passes the threshold of adulthood, it is easy to guess that he is destined to embrace the protests of the 1960s.

Ultimately, Wally meets his match with the cool assurance of his beautiful wife, Marnie. In an unforgettable scene, Wally senses a major shift within himself - sort of an epiphany leaving us with a beautiful ending.

Amusing, poignant, insightful are words that come to mind upon reading
the madcap adventures of Wally Weet. Wally's experiences, such as his
early introduction to prejudice (you have to be taught to be
prejudiced), his bouncing through family foibles, and his stumbling
through first sexual awakenings trip the reader into reminiscences of
his/her own.

However, for those of us who went through public school education, we
get to see a parallel universe in Wally's catholic school education.
This repressed environment, in which a lid is placed on a natural boy's
exuberance, can only result in acting out; some of which is described
by Wally's humorous planned revolt in 8th grade, some of which is still
continuing into adulthood portrayed in the disproportionate surprising
rage in the closing story.

The episodes of Wally's Army career show play writer and author Bill
Bruehl's inclination to use wit and drama to polish a good yarn.

"The Wally Weet Stories: Catholic School Boys Don't Just Fight After
School" is both light and delightful reading.