Set against the dazzling backdrop of Hawaii’s Oahu and Kauai islands, Clay’s Way seethes with energy and hormonally charged nihilism... read full description
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May 04, 2010
Kealii
rated it: 
Clay's Way is author Blair Mastbaum's first novel. The novel centers around the emotionally confusing Sam. He is a rebellious boy living in Hawaii where he feel that he does not fit in because everyone is a surfer or Hawaii. Sam himself is self-deprecating in his looks and his family. He falls in love with a self-unaware surfer guy, the very type of guy that Sam hates, and the story is then centered around their one-sided love affair.
Mastbaum tries to introduce some local dialects whic More...
Mastbaum tries to introduce some local dialects whic More...
Sep 28, 2009
Holyfool
rated it: 
It is a unique setting to encounter ordinary teen age surfers that they start to intertwined with each other
with out a base for it but just a nature impulse to touch their unknown feelings.
Not a contrived argument or blue prints of their situation. Their curiosity was obvious and you get to relate to these at some levels. There are some harsh part in this books, but not a surprise when it comes from teens' own limited thinking and obscure dilemmas.
This book is odd More...
with out a base for it but just a nature impulse to touch their unknown feelings.
Not a contrived argument or blue prints of their situation. Their curiosity was obvious and you get to relate to these at some levels. There are some harsh part in this books, but not a surprise when it comes from teens' own limited thinking and obscure dilemmas.
This book is odd More...
Jul 08, 2011
Mitch
rated it:
"Clay's Way" by Blair Mastbaum has been called the gay "Catcher in the Rye". Although I see the comparisons and actually liked "Clay's Way" better, I still feel like this story was a bit too contrived. It was too far out for me, way unbelievable. The first part could totally happen...soon crazy events start to pile up which left me thinking "uh...yeah right".
In this book we travel to the beautiful islands of Hawaii where gay teenage skateboard More...
In this book we travel to the beautiful islands of Hawaii where gay teenage skateboard More...
Sep 10, 2011
Blake
rated it:
This terrific debut novel turns the typical teenage coming out story on its ear by portraying its sixteen year old narrator, Sam, as completely self-loathing in every respect except with regard to his sexuality (which he treats with extreme matter-of-factness). In many ways he is the typical rebellious teen, he hates his folks, his life, his appearance & is forever trying on different looks and identities in an awkward effort to express his individuality, but as the book follows his faltering ro
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Feb 01, 2010
Tindra
rated it:
"Clay's Way" gets three stars, but it barely missed getting just two. It's a good book, well written and with thought behind it, I just didn't like it. Too much teenage selfcenterdness, too much weirdness and too much suicidale contemplation. The end was heartbreaking without any hopeful outlook on the future that is usual. I did like the overwelming boy's perspective, the culture environment and the angsty teenage lifes. I love the rebelious nature of Sam (even if he can be somewhat o
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Jul 14, 2009
Michael
rated it: 
The back of the book says "A gay Catcher in the Rye". That a pretty good description. Unlike a lot of other gay fiction, the main character doesn't make a big deal about being gay. It's just another summer day in Hawaii. I thought it was a great book to read for leisure. The words on the pages flow as easily as the character's thought and feelings. The book is full of realism (or should I say Nihilism?), and the ending still makes me think hard. I highly recommend it.
Jan 09, 2012
William
rated it: 
I wanted to like this book--which has good things to say about teenage obsession, insecurity, lust and in fact explores all of these in a setting that hasn't been featured often: the surfpunk culture of Hawaii. But the book was so poorly edited in places, in terms of the author not having been reined in in sections, when he was allowed to go on way too long in very repetitive sections. A tighter, briefer novel would have been more effective.
Mar 26, 2009
David
rated it:
While I liked this book, I remain conflicted about how it depicted Hawai`i and in particular Kailua (town my family is from) and the people. Although, it may show more of the underlying dissatisfaction with "paradise" that so many Native Hawaiians, locals and others have.
This was one of those books were none of the characters is entirely likable. Having said that, the novel may warrant a re-read just to be sure.
This was one of those books were none of the characters is entirely likable. Having said that, the novel may warrant a re-read just to be sure.
Feb 04, 2012
Oliver
rated it:
it started off really good but then once they went out on their hiking hippy trip, they all went nuts. like it was a different story. and when sam comes back, he's a complete crazy freak.
Oct 03, 2011
James
rated it:
I couldn't even finish this book. The way it is written is just horrible, and the story goes no where. I just... nope. Almost finished but nope.
Sep 09, 2010
Nancy
rated it:
This was a really interesting look into the mind of an immature, insecure, tough gay kid.
Dec 29, 2007
Robert
rated it:
I believe this book won the Lambda award one year, and I really can't understand why it did. The story has very good bones, and I think it could've been a spectacular piece of queer literary fiction if the author had taken the time to do some more editing and a few rewrites. As is, I can't understand why it was published, or won the award. Perhaps there wasn't that much better queer fiction to draw from that particular year.
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Jan 17, 2008
Skip
rated it: 
An interesting fictional bildungsroman about a teenage Hawaiian skatepunk coming to terms with his increasing attraction to guys, how he explores that attraction with an older seemingly-straight surfer guy, and what eventually happens in both of their lives. File under learning lessons in maturity through experience.
Feb 15, 2010
J.M.
rated it:
I really wanted to like this book. It's advertised in all the magazines I read and touted as the best new voice in gay fiction. But I just couldn't get into it. The main characters seems too spastic to me, too out of control, and the resulting conflict between them left me too frustrated to finish the book.
Dec 31, 2011
Jason
rated it:
I thought it was a great read. Characters had a real feeling to them. I loved the setting in Hawaii. Timeless and comtemporary.
Nov 27, 2007
Red
rated it:
I really enjoyed this tale of the tortured gay soul.
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