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Spaceman Blues: A Love Song

by Brian Francis Slattery (Goodreads Author)

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 316 ratings · 75 reviews

When Manuel Rodrigo de Guzmán González disappears, Wendell Apogee decides to find out where he has gone and why. But in order to figure out what happened to Manuel, Wendell must contend with parties, cockfights, and chases; an underground city whose people live in houses suspended from cavern ceilings; urban weirdos and alien assassins; immigrants, the black market, flight...more

Paperback, 224 pages

Published August 7th 2007 by Tor Books (first published August 1st 2007)

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Sep 23, 2007 Trin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, queerlit, american-lit

Sort of Neverwhere meets Men in Black, if that can be believed. Wendell's lover Manuel disappears, and rather than grieve and let go, Wendell decides to dedicate himself to finding him, even if it means giving up everything he is and traveling deep into New York City's underworld, a city beneath the city populated by the forgotten and the dispossessed. Oh, and also, there are some aliens.

There was a lot I liked about this book. Slattery achieves some very moving moments, moments that say a ton...more

3 likes · like · see review

Dec 08, 2008 Ryan Chapman rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Ryan by: Ami

Shelves: fiction

This book really straddles whatever arbitrary lines people keep between "science fiction" and "literary fiction." Imagine if somebody took the first chapter of V, about the sailors carousing around the city, and yo-yo'ing around, and built that into a jazzy, loose narrative about New York. You'd be close to the idea of Slattery's debut, which is filled with thrilling prose. Sure, at times it's a bit much: there's not one common verb in the book, everything's "exploding" or "burning" or "melting...more

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Dec 22, 2008 Shaun Duke rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's not often that one comes in contact with a truly literary-style piece of science fiction with superheroes, trench coat aliens, and underground floating cities, let alone a literary-style piece of science fiction that works. Slattery's Spaceman Blues is a stunning, if not astonishing piece of fiction; the kind of book you want to read over and over, because each time you do you'll find something new that you missed before; the kind of book that reigns in the pulpy goodness of the Golden Age...more It's not often that one comes in contact with a truly literary-style piece of science fiction with superheroes, trench coat aliens, and underground floating cities, let alone a literary-style piece of science fiction that works. Slattery's Spaceman Blues is a stunning, if not astonishing piece of fiction; the kind of book you want to read over and over, because each time you do you'll find something new that you missed before; the kind of book that reigns in the pulpy goodness of the Golden Age of science fiction and comics with a style that will draw in readers of Thomas Pynchon and E. L. Doctorow (in my opinion and based upon a limited exposure to those writers).

Spaceman Blues takes off with the disappearance of Manuel Rodrigo de Guzman Gonzalez, the boyfriend of Wendell Apogee. Wendell isn't willing to accept that Manuel is simply dead and sets out to find out what happened. But in doing so he finds himself chased by alien assassins and the unexpected hero to an underground society stricken with fear by the destructive force of beings that have more in store for the Earth than they are letting on.

With a diverse cast, each with their own stories and connections, Spaceman Blues is a rather unusual and exciting read. Every sentence seems packed with important information and Slattery's style manages to wander into the lives of his unique characters while still pushing the story forward; that wandering rarely harms the overall integrity of the story. For such a short novel, Spaceman Blues does so much: it takes our main character from being just a man to a superhero, digs into the lives of a multitude of characters, each with unique back stories and personalities, and gives respect to the pulp literatures of the last century by taking them to a new level while still engaging with their "classic" nature.

Readers of Spaceman Blues may see interesting mythological parallels, too. The plot itself feels like an allusion to the story of Orpheus, with Wendell descending into an underground world in search of his lover in much the same way as Orpheus had. There are interesting parallels to Biblical figures too, particularly the four horseman. These elements add to the depth of the work, giving it the sort of multi layered narrative not often found within inherently "popular" forms of literature, particularly because the way this work is written intentionally draws one to the language, to the writing itself and what Slattery is actually saying rather than what the basic points of the plot are.

Spaceman Blues is not without flaws, though. While I enjoyed the ending of Slattery's 219-page novel, I expect some readers will dislike the lack of a significant conclusion, and perhaps may find the pessimistic view at the end to be too literary, or unsatisfying (or depressing?). To add, Slattery's style is not an entirely approachable one in the sense that it is not written like the novels that embrace the "popular literature" style. He writes with a certain fluidity, if that is the proper term to use here, with sentences that would generally be considered run-ons, but work precisely because of the type of book Slattery was writing; occasionally his style works against him when he wanders too far in the narrative. If you want to read this book, go into it understanding that it is written in a long, literary style, rather than the style you might be more familiar with.

Despite its flaws, Spaceman Blues is a fast-paced (and short) read. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different, because this work is certainly different, if not unique--a character story more than a plot story. It's also an example of why Tor is one of the pioneers of science fiction publishing: Slattery has an interesting vision that I'm glad to see get the attention it deserves. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to read more of Slattery's work in the future, because if Spaceman Blues is anything to go by, I expect he'll have a long career ahead of him.

Go check it out!(less)

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Aug 01, 2012 Mike rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone

“Spaceman Blues” is an exhilarating story that runs full tilt from start to finish. That’s not to say that there are no changes in tempo, pauses where a character (and reader) can catch their mental breath, or passages that back-fill our knowledge of people or places. But, the book is so tightly woven that it feels like the rhythm of a racing heart. You are swept along with emotion, imagery, and multiple perspectives.

I found this book glancing at a shelf – talk about lucky! It’s hard to believe...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 John rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, fiction, science-fiction, books-i-own, dystopian-fiction

A Riveting Blend of Fantasy and Science Fiction Set Mostly in Brooklyn, New York

Brian Francis Slattery introduces readers to a Brooklyn, New York unlike any other in his impressive debut novel “Spaceman Blues: A Love Song”; a most beguiling blend of comic book fiction, fantasy and science fiction from one of the most distinctive and original voices working not only in science fiction, but indeed, all of contemporary fiction today. In a literary style that echoes Thomas Pynchon and the latest Ric...more A Riveting Blend of Fantasy and Science Fiction Set Mostly in Brooklyn, New York

Brian Francis Slattery introduces readers to a Brooklyn, New York unlike any other in his impressive debut novel “Spaceman Blues: A Love Song”; a most beguiling blend of comic book fiction, fantasy and science fiction from one of the most distinctive and original voices working not only in science fiction, but indeed, all of contemporary fiction today. In a literary style that echoes Thomas Pynchon and the latest Rick Moody, Slattery presents an apocalyptic vision of a near future Brooklyn on the brink of an alien invasion, rendered in a visual style that will remind readers of Jonathan Lethem’s “Motherless Brooklyn” and “The Fortress of Solitude”, but one that resonates more strongly as a superb American version of China Mieville’s “weird fiction”, instantly transforming Brooklyn into a fantastical realm that bears more than a passing resemblance to Mieville’s New Crobuzon (“Perdido Street Station”) and London (“Kraken”). However, Slattery’s version of Brooklyn isn’t nearly as nightmarish as Mieville’s; instead, it is filled with ample doses of immigrant humor quite akin to what readers have come to expect from Gary Shteyngart (“Absurdistan”, “Super Sad True Love Story”). What is especially impressive with Slattery’s debut is that he somehow accomplishes all of this via a most economical literary style that others might find most daunting, but, in Slattery’s hands, demonstrates just how accomplished a storyteller and prose stylist he is; this is an outstanding work of fiction by a mature writer, not a first-time novelist. I honestly haven’t had as much fun reading a literary debut in years; the closest I can think of are those from William Gibson (“Neuromancer”), Matt Ruff (“Fool on the Hill”) and Jonathan Lethem (“Gun, With Occasional Music”). Slattery is such an exceptional literary talent that mainstream “domestic realism” Anglo-American fiction writers and critics should sit up and take ample notice of the excellent high literary art being created by Slattery and his fellow crop of young American and British writers; exceptional storytellers and prose stylists who are interested in producing great works of fantasy and science fiction.
(less)

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Aug 29, 2011 Abraham Thunderwolf rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There's a blurb on the cover of this by by Harlan Ellison that starts with, "What a breathless, mad tornado of words!" Which is true. Sometimes I get on the L and the train is going so fast that it's a little a scary but mostly exhilarating, that's kind of the way the book reads. Spaceman Blues is about Wendell Apogee's search for his lost love, Manuel Rodrigo de Guzman Gonzales. Along the way Wendell ends up at cockfights, an underground city, and massive, riotous parties. There is so much part...more There's a blurb on the cover of this by by Harlan Ellison that starts with, "What a breathless, mad tornado of words!" Which is true. Sometimes I get on the L and the train is going so fast that it's a little a scary but mostly exhilarating, that's kind of the way the book reads. Spaceman Blues is about Wendell Apogee's search for his lost love, Manuel Rodrigo de Guzman Gonzales. Along the way Wendell ends up at cockfights, an underground city, and massive, riotous parties. There is so much partying in this novel that if you have never partied before it will give you a hangover. Things start off weird, what with the disappearance of Manuel and the subsequent explosion that consumes his apartment, but then people start seeing things in the sky. Before you know what's what there are these guys in raincoats on some kind of hoverboards blasting people to cinders with their green flame shooting guns. We met characters such as detectives Salmon and Trout, who used to solve cases via riffing on more and more complex theories until the one case that has put a strain on their relationship; Diane, who keeps the company of several, possibly hive minded, Ecuadorians, and has never stopped loving anyone; Lucas, who was indoctrinated into the Lunar Temple, who proposed that the moon would crash into the earth in the near future, but it only turned out to be a helicopter being used by the feds; Masoud, former soldier turned pacifist, who now is helping Wendell out even if it means fighting, and a plethora of interesting characters. One of the biggest characters in the book is New York City. The "A Love Song" part of the title seems be directed to NYC from the author. And then you got the Church of Panic running around. AND then the spaceships show up. I have a habit, not sure if it's good or bad, that whenever I read a novel I like I almost immediately start thinking about how it would look like as a movie, not as in who plays who because I don't know too many of the actor types, if it was up to me Jason Statham and Jackie Chan would meet the Mummy, in space. More as in what the novel would look like stylistically. Spaceman Blues would be a high speed, highly charged anime with art that would be so sharp that it would cut you if you saw it in HD. If you want to go for a somber novel about the minutiae of melancholy in relationships that doesn't involve mayhem then you should avoid Spaceman Blues, but then you'd be depriving yourself of a way fun read. I got this book from the 1-3 dollar cart from a bookstore I frequent for 2 bucks, what a deal!(less)

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Sep 29, 2010 Amber rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, aliens, fiction, sci-fi, romance, gay, adventure

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I picked this book up from a Books-A-Million clearance rack, and bought it on a whim for $1.

I'm not sure if there's a technical term for the style of writing used in this book, but it's definitely different from books I typically read. Most of the story unfolds in narration, but it doesn't feel so much like narration as it does a free-flowing barrage of atmospheric descriptions. I liked the random tangents revealing glimpses of future events in the lives of the characters, it helped to add to t...more I picked this book up from a Books-A-Million clearance rack, and bought it on a whim for $1.

I'm not sure if there's a technical term for the style of writing used in this book, but it's definitely different from books I typically read. Most of the story unfolds in narration, but it doesn't feel so much like narration as it does a free-flowing barrage of atmospheric descriptions. I liked the random tangents revealing glimpses of future events in the lives of the characters, it helped to add to the building mystery of the story. You know disaster is coming, but you're mostly left guessing about when and why.

I have only two complaints about this book:
1) The cover. It gives too much away. If there weren't spaceships on the cover then it would have really been a mystery as to who/what the impending doom was. Spaceships on the cover give it away before you ever start reading.

2) I feel like the book should've ended with the sub-chapter "There's Always a Party Somewhere", with final words "It will not come yet, but it is coming soon. We promise. Happiness.". That ending feels much more powerful and...final, to me than the actual final sub-chapter in the book, "Wendell's Dream #4".

OK, now that's out of the way, my very spoilery responses to parts (mostly the ending) of the book:

Oh no! Robert Lord Townsend Jr., don't smoke around gasoline! And don't drop your cigarette on the ground when Ma Xiao Ling drops her gasoline and spills it on the ground...You guys are gonna blow up before you ever get to run into each others arms!!

Okay, Trout and Salmon, guys, like, seriously, just make out already or something lol.

It took an alien invasion apocalypse for you to finally tell Lucas you love him, Diane?? Geeez girl!

I feel so bad for Wendell. He became this reluctant hero, an unwilling symbol for hope, when all he ever wanted to do was just find his boyfriend whom he obviously loved deeply...But it turns out his boyfriend ran off to save himself from an alien invasion apocalypse, selfishly abandoning Wendell without any explanation, and he's never coming back. What a bastard.(less)

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Nov 05, 2007 Ferret rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sf

A difficult book to explain. Cryptic and charming and filled with humor and beauty and love. And constantly, a surprise around the corner. One doesn't expect, in a book stylistically modeled after SF's New Wave, to find such a great, action-packed climactic battle. Yet Captain Spaceman's fight with the Four Horsemen is truly brilliant. The denouement afterwards is a little lacking, but satisfying and disturbing and puzzling, as it should be.

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2010 Ethan Clark rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, science-fiction, favorites

Where to start? Spaceman Blues encapsulated so many different characters with each of them contributing an important part to the story. Whether it was Lucas and his revelations, the officers Salmon and Trout, or Wendell Apogee and his search for his lost lover, all it worked together seamlessly to create a fantastic pre-apocalyptic world. Brian Slattery was able to incorporate so many aspects of New York City, but send them to the extreme with parties and underground societies. This is by far on...more

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Feb 25, 2010 Matt rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Kellie Wells

This book popped up on some twitter feed or other as a great example of contemporary GLBT genre writing, and well, I's have to agree.... The genre in question is sci-fi, mostly, since there's an alien invasion, though there's some superhero stuff in here, too, as the protagonist trains to be a bad ass killer to help him find his lost lover, whose disappearance is connected to the invasion, etc.

But really, the plot is pretty much an empty hanger for a lot of really good, yes, maximalist writing....more

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Nov 15, 2007 Shek rated it 2 of 5 stars

A talented writer - particularly good at describing action. He bit off a little more than he could chew with this one, but I'm looking forward to seeing what he does next.

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May 09, 2010 Chip rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My favorite quote: "..."

This book redefines the ellipsis. In the meantime, it's the Beat Generation transfigured into THE BEAT (as in rhythm) Generation... there's so much going on in this book it would take hours, maybe days, of drinking and arguing to deconstruct and analyze, days (and booze) I do not have. So read it for yourself and see if you agree.

I would like to see James Cameron turn *this* book into a 3D extravaganza!

I'm left with the same sense of a newly opened landscape I got when I...more

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Jul 05, 2009 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think there are 2 ways you could look at this book – both of which hold up. I can see people complaining about a plot that jumps and seems to have logical thrown out and that a book with aliens and super heroes should move along at a brisk clip. I get that. I find my self on the other end. The writing is fluid and lyrical, almost poetic in its rhythm sometimes. The plot does jump and things happen for reasons that are sometimes revealed and sometimes not. But it matches the acid-dripped versio...more

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May 23, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dmla

When Manuel Rodrigo de Guzmán González disappears, Wendell Apogee decides to find out where he has gone and why. But in order to figure out what happened to Manuel, Wendell must contend with parties, cockfights, and chases; an underground city whose people live in houses suspended from cavern ceilings; urban weirdos and alien assassins; immigrants, the black market, flight, riots, and religious cults.

Oh, what a lovely book. It only took 6 days (and considering how slow and sluggish I've been rea...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Brian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this book was really hard to keep up with. if i'd read this book first i probably would not have read "liberation" but since it went the other way (and "liberation" was awesome) i read this one too.

i like his writing style, and the stories, but this one didnt have enough momentum to want to read alot at once and it had so much going on that it was hard to keep track throughout the book.

however, the end was pretty clear and brought all the story lines and characters into an easily discernible per...more

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Apr 10, 2009 Lou rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: aliens, fiction, sci-fi, science

A cleverly written book that combines magical realism and science fiction to explore pre-apocalyptic New York City before an impending alien invasion. While the sub-title, "a love story," ostensibly applies to the main character searching for his lover, the book shows a great love of the multicultural mix of the five boroughs, and can be seen as a paean to the city.

Unfortunately, Slattery introduces so many characters, and describes so many fantastic and exaggerated scenarios that you neither ge...more

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Dec 23, 2012 Matthew rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

From the first section of the first chapter, Slattery astounded me. Spaceman Blues rocks with the people of New York City, bringing heat from cold steel and concrete. In the actions of thousands of unnamed characters, the city itself comes to life. The characters who are named experience a surreal odyssey, full of longing, passion, music, death, and of course, impending alien invasion. Spaceman Blues goes up on that too-light shelf of books I'll read again and again just to find out how the auth...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Isidore rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Slattery is an interesting and lively writer. However, a great portion of this book is taken up with loving descriptions of a seemingly endless succession of noisy dances or parties. Toward the end, I found myself longing for the anticipated alien invasion, if only to get some quiet.

Alas, even the incineration of Earth's cities doesn't stop the partying, which is Life Itself. "Death . . . in every moment, death by the millions is being averted. For this reason, every party must be of the highes...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Lori added it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-reviewers-copy, signed-by-author, fiction

review copy from author

Read 1/24/12 - 1/29/12
3 Stars - Recommended to readers who like their sci-fi a little more literary
Pgs: 219
Publisher: Tor

A man who managed to turn New York City against him suddenly disappears. His lover decides to find out where he went. Tracking him down will prove to be the biggest challenge of his life... if he manages to survive it.

Spaceman Blues is not your typical "aliens come to take over the world" story. Don't get me wrong, once you hit the end of the book, there...more review copy from author

Read 1/24/12 - 1/29/12
3 Stars - Recommended to readers who like their sci-fi a little more literary
Pgs: 219
Publisher: Tor

A man who managed to turn New York City against him suddenly disappears. His lover decides to find out where he went. Tracking him down will prove to be the biggest challenge of his life... if he manages to survive it.

Spaceman Blues is not your typical "aliens come to take over the world" story. Don't get me wrong, once you hit the end of the book, there is some of that. There are no little green men with anal probes who beam screaming humans up into their ships - although there are 4 Horsemen donning raincoats who fly around NYC on hovercraft-type machines, demolishing people and buildings with their guns of green light.

Forget the aliens for a moment, though. This is really a book about Manuel, who has gone missing, and his boyfriend Wendell, who is willing to go through just about anything to uncover what's happened to his "baby". And yet, it goes even deeper than that, doesn't it? It seems to be saying something profound about our ability to persevere and endure under the most trying of situations; our refusal to give up in the face of failure and defeat; our need to stand up against the unknown...

Ooooor, it could just simply be trying to tell us that bloody cockfights, underground cities, religious cults, unidentifiable dead bodies found floating in the river, and alien assassins are fucking awesome and I'm just reading too much into it.

Brian Francis Slattery winds his tricky and twisty prose around your head, filling it with momentary explosions and bright burning lights to confuse and disorient you. Because, truthfully, sometimes Spaceman Blues really does confuse and disorient you. But no worries, because once the smoke dissipates and the fires die down, you'll quickly find the trail back to our Spaceman hero Wendell. Just sit tight, breathe through it, and all will be well in the world. Well, unless, you know, you've awoken the wraith of an alien race and continue to test their patience...(less)

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Jan 05, 2009 Zinta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An apartment explodes, and, supposedly, Manuel González is blown to smithereens along with it. Or is he? Brian Francis Slattery’s debut novel, Spaceman Blues: A Love Song, is an explosion of words, all in bright sparks, in all directions, a flaming sky of beautiful chaos. Even when I had trouble following this surreal story, I loved reading it. It almost didn’t have to make sense. Sometimes the joy of literary paint splashing on walls, Pollack if this were visual, Monk if this were musical, is e...more

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Oct 24, 2008 vladimir rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of Vonnegut, Philip K. Dick, the New Weird

We sometimes go about things the wrong way; we regret the lover we tired of, and then when they were absent realized that the quiet power of their presence was what we thrived on; we 'discover' a writer's latest work and maddeningly slap palm to forehead for not having read the author's previous works.

So, this is the second book by Slattery I've read, though it was his first.

"Spaceman Blues" contains more of the verve, the jazz, groove infused prose evident in his latest book, "Liberation" (more...more

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Nov 28, 2007 Jake rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: poetry, scifi, generallit

Calling this a science fiction novel is to do it very little justice.

This book a fever dream song set to a Latin rhythm. Slattery's words pour off the page and dance around to Cumbia, merengue and Nina Simone singing 'Sinnerman'. You won't so much read this as hear it playing in your head.

The book revolves around one mans mission to find his lost lover but is really a journey through several love affairs in a New York that is somewhere between Ezra Jack Keats and Robert Crumb.

The main charact...more

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Sep 20, 2010 S. Corey Adams added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 16, 2012 Benji Bright rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is among my favorite books in the world.

The writing is so kinetic and heartfelt that you can feel it in your soul. The whole tale is kind of love story to New York City, where I was born and raised, so for me it's the elocution of things I've felt about the city but could never quite put into words. I straight up stole this book from a former roommate and I would steal it again.

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Feb 23, 2009 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: jazz aliens

Shelves: literary, scientific, genre, made-me-cry

Your enjoyment of this book will depend greatly on your tolerance of Slattery's style, which has been compared all too often to music. I was ambivalent, but it grew on me. Formwise, the book makes use of flash-forward technology several times, which is guaranteed to choke me up. The spinning, salt-eyed future!

Anyway, if I ever go through with my plan to have a goodreads shelf called idontknowitmademecry, this book would be on it.

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Jun 30, 2009 Josh Storey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone, if you liked "Sharp Teeth," if you liked "Gone Away World"

It's a love story, a jazz song, an all night party, cigarette smoke, the sound of rain on the streets when the buzz is wearing off, a child with a towel tied around his neck who's about to jump off the roof of his parents' house, a sci-fi romp (in the literal sense of the word), a superhero story for the mutli-tasking generation.

It's wonderful.

The newest in the list of my favorite books.

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Jun 04, 2010 Jimbonk rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This book is fantastic. It reads just like the subtitle says, a love song. I was hooked from the first paragraph. The writing style is very surreal, with long dreamy sentences, tons of personification, and a distinct rhythmic beat. You can almost hear the salsas, cumbias, and bachatas drip off the page. It's basically a story that expresses all the good things in life: music, parties, food, fun, women, men, each other. Which I suppose is purposeful since it takes place in apocalyptic 21st centur...more

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Aug 04, 2010 Christopher rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An acid trip of a story, Phillip K. Dick channeling dime store detective fiction through Douglas Adams. This book goes all over the place, but the writer's craft and central thread keeps it on task and prevents the story from sliding into meaningless absurdities.

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Feb 02, 2010 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is great and it is one of the few science fiction novels that (in my opinion) reflects the current urban experience. The other might be the Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler but this one is a lot less depressing. I can't wait to read his new one!

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Jun 10, 2009 Paula rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, unfinished

I tried with Spaceman Blues, really I did, having two separate attempts over the past few months to read it, but could never really get into it despite those efforts.

Manuel Gonzalez, New York resident and all round party animal, mysteriously disappears and his lover and best friend Wendell is determined to find out what happened to him. What happens next will forever remain a mystery to me as I never managed to get past about page 70 or 80 on either attempt.

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