The Cool Part of His Pillow

The Cool Part of His Pillow

by
4.33 of 5 stars 4.33  ·  rating details  ·  49 ratings  ·  27 reviews
The midforties are that time in a gay man’s life when his major paradigm shifts from sexy to sensible. But when Barry Grooms's partner of twenty years is killed on Barry's forty-fifth birthday, his world doesn’t so much evolve as it does explode.

After navigating through the surreal conveyor belt of friends and family, he can't eat another casserole or swallow much more adv...more
ebook, 340 pages
Published May 14th 2012 by Dreamspinner Press (first published May 13th 2012)

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
On the Other Hand by June McCulloughOut and Back by Diane StrongStand in Your Anointment This Too Shall Pass by Rn Rev Louise Malbon-Reddix...Lost Angeles by David LoudenThe Waves by Virginia Woolf
Best Books About Grief
7th out of 43 books — 89 voters
Dark Designs by Luisa PrietoConversations with S. Teri O'Type by Christopher  AllenSnap by Allen RenfroHonour by A.F. HenleyMurder at Willow Slough by Josh Thomas
Lesser-Known M/M Books
17th out of 260 books — 186 voters


More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 239)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Nancy
This story is one painful year in the life of Barry Grooms. He is celebrating his 45th birthday with Andy Morgan, his partner of 23 years, and a group of their close friends. Both men are successful in their careers, live comfortable lives, and are still deeply in love. Barry’s life is shattered when he learns that Andy and their pugs, Gertie and Noel, are killed instantly when a crane and empty 10-story building collapsed on his parked car while they were inside. Barry’s not even sure why Andy...more
Kazza
Book #10 on Favourites of 2012 at On Top Down Under Book Reviews
http://bookreviewsandtherapy.blogspot...

I went into Dreamspinner, saw the title, and the trailer (which I never usually look at), and I bought this book. I thought it sounded interesting, intense. I wasn’t wrong on both counts. I don’t know how to categorise it, it’s not my usual read. I also don’t quite know its demographic, other than people who love a good piece of writing, and, by the same token, aren’t afraid of (this is code f...more
Jess Candela
3.5 stars
Review Summary: This is a story of grief and healing, NOT a romance. Once I accepted that and started to care about the character, I enjoyed it.

Review: I was anticipating this story as one of metamorphosis, that we’d experience Rodney bursting from the cocoon of grief and learning how to live Happily Ever After as a butterfly. Instead, most of the story takes place within the cocoon. A few chapters into it, I found myself rememberingBillionaire’s Row (reviewed here by Aunt Lynn), wonder...more
Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books
It would be easier to tell you what Rodney Ross’s THE COOL PART OF HIS PILLOW is not, rather than what it is. It is not a romance, it is not a sexy story, and while it is about grief, it is not depressing. There is no HEA and not even an HFN, but neither is needed in telling the story of what happens after a beloved partner dies.

There are many wonderful secondary characters, but the one who claimed my attention and heart was Barry’s mom. The dialog in this book is witty, melancholy, delightful,...more
John
I thought it a lovely, amusing, beautifully written book. I have to admit that I found it somewhat difficult in places. Some truth can be difficult and there is much in this book that feels true. When that happens one brings one's own grief to help color the margins of the story. Still, there are many wickedly funny passages. This may be a book about a year in grief, but it is never gloomy.

But, really, I think the interesting way to look at The Cool Part of His Pillow, is not as the main charact...more
Gaylistbookreviews
Rating: A List

This is not what I’d call an easy book to read. The sentences are rich and full and deep, and you don’t want to race through them to find out what happens. You want to savor each word, because they’re all quite tasty. Mr Ross, I am very happy to say, can write, my darlings.

This is a book to savor, like that very expensive bottle of wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Told in first person by Barry Grooms, it begins with happiness. He and his partner of twenty-three year...more
Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More
http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.co...

How does someone carry on with life when the person who has been by your side for twenty three years is suddenly taken away? The Cool Part of His Pillow is a book that spans a year in Barry’s life following the death of Andy, his partner. Barry tries to resume his life after Andy’s very public death, but finds that everyday things are filled with reminders of his past life with Andy. From picking up his laundry to going to the grocer answering questions ab...more
Heidi Gonzalez
I had a rough time reading this book. Maybe it hit too close to home since I just turned 44 this year, ended a 10 year relationship around this time last year and thought I would stay single forever. Of course that didn't happen and my ex-partner didn't die although there were moments when I thought that might have been easier. But here I am now in a new relationship and the thought of something horrific happening to her makes me cringe. Maybe it was because this book was so honest, and felt so...more
Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews
4 1/2 Hearts

Slight romance. Covers a year of Barry's life following the loss of his partner.

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...


Barry and Andy have been together for 23 years. It is Barry’s 45th birthday and tragedy strikes. As Barry struggles with the minefield of life, his friends and family look on helplessly, as he tries to find his path as just Barry.

This is a touching story of love, loss, anger, grief, new beginnings and trudging on with your life in the face of a terrible tragedy. It...more
Jeremy Pack
I tend not to like books written in first-person. For some reason, most of the time, this feels too close, and unless I can identify with the narrator, I have a hard time enjoying the story. For whatever reason, this was NOT the case for me with The Cool Part of His Pillow. Although my life is very unlike Barry's, I found myself slipping into his skin and very much enjoying my stay.

Rodney Ross has an unparalleled voice. It is unique and fresh. I don't believe I've ever read anything quite like i...more
Gary
One of the best books I've read in the past decade… beyond a doubt, this book is dazzlingly inspirational. I cherished so many aspects of the book… the characters’ rich & in-depth personalities, the meticulous connections with various cities, and most prominently, the wonderful & extraordinary view through the eyes of Barry Grooms.

The writing is overflowing with sharp-wit & matchless humor... and although at times heart-breaking, the book is truly heart-warming as well.

Engaging, da...more
Kaetrin
2.5 stars. When I browse NetGalley, I search by genre - specifically, romance. So I thought this book was a romance about a guy whose husband has died. But it wasn't a romance. The book tracks a year in the life of Barry Grooms, from the day before his 45th birthday, to his 45th birthday (the day on which his husband Andy dies) to his 46th birthday. This book is a book about Barry's journey in grief and him getting to a place where he feels he can move on, at least, when the book ended, I though...more
Lisa Smith
I loved so many things about this book!! The writing is thoughtful and witty... engaging us into the lives of the characters and hoping the best for them. Many moments had me laughing deliriously, while others brought tears to my eyes. I admit that I am friends with author, Mr. Ross, and likely some of his writing may touch me in a more personal way (no pun intended!) than for other readers. I would recommend this book, not just because Mr. Ross and I have a history, but rather because as an avi...more
Suze
A journey of a book that I enjoyed and would put at 3.5 but went for 4* as I enjoyed it a lot. It is a story of the despair left after a sudden, traumatic death - but a story told with dark humour about starting out again in a whole new world, so dont let subject matter put you off.
A rich array of cultural comments and interesting characters. Barry is mid forties and for all of us over a certain age, regardless of if male, female, gay, straight, left or widowed can relate to the traumas he faces...more
Susan
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book. I knew it wasn't going to be a romance but I didn't know what it was going to be about. The story follows Barry over the course of a year in his life. The year begins with the death of his husbanc, Andy and what follows is not easy at all. It took me a little while to warm up to Barry; he's far from perfect but he's an amazingly intricate character. I don't pretend to understand all the cultural references in the story but in the end t...more
Beck
Mar 16, 2013 Beck marked it as partially-read-stalled  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: mm
Unfortunately, this is a DNF for me...everything is written in terms of comparison to movies, books, TV shows or Americanisms that I don't know...because of this I have no frame of reference & I have no frickin' idea what is going on! If you're an American movie buff who reads the classics & enjoys their erotica wrapped in wordy descriptions, then this is the book for you! If you're an Australian whose parents tuned the B&W TV to ABC News & then removed the knob with pliers, you'...more
The Talent Cave Review
Title: THE COOL PART OF HIS PILLOW
Author: RODNEY ROSS
Genre: ROMANCE/GENERAL FICTION
Publisher: DREAMSPINNER PRESS
Novel
5 Stars Highly Recommended!Don't miss out.
Reviewed by: Maven

I wasn’t real sure I wanted to read this book when I read the blurb and found out Barry’s partner of twenty years was killed, but I pushed past that, sat down, and read. Let me say, this isn’t a book filled with romance, but a book more about healing, yet it was an amazing story. The author does an excellent job of takin...more
Alyosha
I started this book expecting to love it. And I did love parts of it, it had some nice insightful thoughts and it provided a few unexpected moments of pure laughter... buuuut regretfully I found the narrative almost unbearably rambling. 2.5 stars
Kathy
I laughed and I cried-sometimes at the same time. An absolutely fabulous story that I hated to see end. Definitely a recommended read.
Melanie
One of the best books I have read this year.

Read my review at http:scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com on 9/1/2012
mw138
Barry must learn to carry on after his partner is suddenly and tragically killed. The story follows his life over the course of a year as he discovers life on his own. This was a raw, emotional read that's not your typical m/m romance.
TheFountainPenDiva
Jul 31, 2012 TheFountainPenDiva marked it as books-that-i-have-to-read  ·  review of another edition
Nice to see some gay romance with middle-aged men. Finally!
Rodney Ross
May 17, 2012 Rodney Ross rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  (Review from the author)
Well, shucks, I wrote it, so I'm kinda inclined to have enjoyed it.
Ery
Dec 09, 2012 Ery rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: sads, owned
Jess says it best!
Rosie
Nov 16, 2012 Rosie rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: m-m
4.5 stars
Sylvia
This one really made me work hard to understand the cultural references. Some pages took me longer to Google then to read, I'm afraid I still missed most of them ;) LOL funny and crying out loud sad at the same time. In the end it left me with a hopeful and positive feeling.
Sadonna
Just finished this today. I need to take some time write the review. Suffice to say, I really liked it and I will give you the reasons why tomorrow.
deirdre
May 18, 2013 deirdre marked it as to-read
Ewa Siwinska
May 14, 2013 Ewa Siwinska marked it as to-read
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 next »
topics  posts  views  last activity   
Dreamspinner Press: The Cool Part of His Pillow by Rodney Ross 1 9 14 mai 07:27  
The Cool Part of His Pillow (Paperback)
The Cool Part of His Pillow (Kindle Edition)
5823039
Rodney Ross, author of 'The Cool Part Of His Pillow', lives in Key West, Florida.
He is a former advertising Creative Director, so he's accustomed to making stuff up.
Past achievements include multiple ADDY Awards and an optioned screenplay and play (both currently unproduced). Other screenplays earned Honorable Mentions or runners-up citations in the Monterey County Film Commission, FADE-IN, the L...more
More about Rodney Ross...
The Other Man: 21 Writers Speak Candidly About Sex, Love, Infidelity & Moving On

Share This Book

Your website