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ManBug

by George K. Ilsley (Goodreads Author)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 23 ratings · 5 reviews

The first novel by George K. Ilsley, whose first story collection, Random Acts of Hatred, was published to acclaim in 2004. Told in dream-like fragments, ManBug unfolds as a love story between Sebastian, an entomologist with Asperger’s Syndrome, and Tom, a spiritual bisexual who may or may not be recruiting Sebastian for a cult. They navigate their relationship as damaged...more

Paperback, 256 pages

Published June 1st 2006 by Arsenal Pulp Press

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Apr 05, 2011 Joe rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-authors, highly-recommended

Sebastian is a gay entomologist with Asperger Syndrome. Tom is a dyslexic bisexual and (nominally) Buddhist. ManBug is the nickname Tom accidentally gives Sebastian (he meant to say BugMan). ManBug the novel is the story of their relationship. The novel is written in the third person, but it is obviously filtered through the mind of Sebastian.

The story of their relationship is told in short chapters which read like ethereal wisps of stories. There is a story here, and despite the light feeling...more Sebastian is a gay entomologist with Asperger Syndrome. Tom is a dyslexic bisexual and (nominally) Buddhist. ManBug is the nickname Tom accidentally gives Sebastian (he meant to say BugMan). ManBug the novel is the story of their relationship. The novel is written in the third person, but it is obviously filtered through the mind of Sebastian.

The story of their relationship is told in short chapters which read like ethereal wisps of stories. There is a story here, and despite the light feeling of the prose, there is depth and weight. There are also moments of incredible humor. Familiarity with Buddhism, while not necessary for the enjoyment of this novel, will certainly add new depth to some of the story.

The Kardapa Lampa was both a reincarnating lineage, and a theory Tom ascribed to. The current title holder had been empowered through a series of events whose legitimacy provoked controversy and much bitter debate. People loved him or they hated him. The Kardapa Lampa was either tearing Buddhism apart, or he was a living embodiment of the teachings.

There was no middle way here.

One of the devices that I found interesting was the way that Sebastian saw the world of feelings as colors. Throughout the book, Tom moves from blue to green.

The word "kiss" as it came off Tom's lips was a kind of blue that melted from the edges and faded, but lingered.

The word "Tom" also became bluer after this. Thoughts of Tom were oddly tinged blue somehow, in a new development.

Of course, one can't talk about a novel called ManBug without wondering about its relationship to Kafka's The Metamorphosis. The word "metamorphosis" appears several times throughout ManBug, and change is certainly a major theme in the book. Tom and Sebastian's relationship changes throughout the book, but more importantly, Sebastian's relationship to the world changes.

Another theme of the novel is impermanence, the Buddhist concept that nothing lasts and that everything, even the idea of "I", the ego, is ephemeral and changing. Ever chapter is a fleeting, impermanent thing that often leaves behind no residue. The novel, as a whole, however is concrete and will live in my mind for a long while.(less)

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Aug 21, 2011 Kate O'Hanlon added it

Shelves: general-fiction, lgbt

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Gosh how disappointing.
I adored this book so much that I read it in one sitting. The narrative voice was strange, and wonderful and at times utterly delightful. I got sucked in to this strange love affair between a 'gay etymologist' and a 'dyslexic bisexual.'

I didn't totally like Tom, I was more concerned by his somewhat predatory encounters and his cultism than his bisexuality and I blithely assumed that the narrative would prove me right.

It didn't.

I think that if Tom had just left Sebastian fo...more Gosh how disappointing.
I adored this book so much that I read it in one sitting. The narrative voice was strange, and wonderful and at times utterly delightful. I got sucked in to this strange love affair between a 'gay etymologist' and a 'dyslexic bisexual.'

I didn't totally like Tom, I was more concerned by his somewhat predatory encounters and his cultism than his bisexuality and I blithely assumed that the narrative would prove me right.

It didn't.

I think that if Tom had just left Sebastian for a woman I would have been fine with it. Downer ending, things fall apart, impermanence and metamorphosis. So it goes. We all feel anxious that our lovers might leave us for someone else. And yes, your bisexual lover might leave you for someone of the opposite gender to you.

But there's a subtext at play here is about more than just the relationship between two (now three) people. As he becomes suspicious that the affair may mean the end of his relationship Sebastian mention's a relationship advice column that foretells his situation, Brutal Love. Brutal Love is an obvious parallel of Dan Savage's Savage Love column in The Stranger. Savage, admirable champion of GLBT rights though he is, has in his career said some pretty offensive things about bisexuals. Eg,

"Sorry, but avoiding bi guys is a good rule of thumb for gay men looking for long-term relationships. Outside of San Francisco's alternate-universe bisexual community, there aren't many bi guys who want or wind up in long-term, same-sex relationships — monogamous or not."

There's no reason for Ilsley to invoke the spectre of Savage except to imply that he agrees with him that all bisexual men will go the way of Tom.

(This is particularly hilarious/irritating, since there's also very much an idea among women that bisexual men are just at a pitstop on the road to gays-ville. It can't be both. We all feel anxious that our lovers might leave us for someone else. And yes, your bisexual lover might leave you for someone of the opposite gender to you. But that's not actually any worse than having him/her leave you for someone of the same gender unless you are a homo/heterophobe.)

I have elected not to give this book a star rating because I cannot fault it as a book. It was beautiful. And I loved it right up to the point where it soured and left me feeling sad and disappointed.

So it goes.
(less)

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Aug 14, 2009 Corey rated it 5 of 5 stars

This quick and dirty plot summary makes the whole of ManBug seem precariously twee, an exercise in quirks and idiosyncrasies, and indeed the duo are spectacularly unique in oddball ways, in particular Sebastian’s additional experiencing of synesthesia, a condition wherein he sees colours in reaction to sounds or words. It’s to Ilsley’s immense credit that ManBug, a novel without a noticeable plot, reads not as overly-precocious experimental fiction, but rather as a funny, sexy, and surprisingly...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Lil' Grogan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: humour, 4, lgbt, romance, lol

An interesting, charming voice. The mix of humour, lurking fears, eroticism, obsessions, and bugs gave an interesting peek into the relationship between Sebastian and Tom. Lot of writing was poetic and rhythmic. Some parts were a little trite, but overall I was kept laughing and I liked the development of Sebastian (and his view of the world through colours).

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Jul 13, 2010 George Ilsley rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author)

Shelves: fiction, gay

This book still makes me laugh. I have a great capacity to forget things, so there are surprises galore as I re-read bits and pieces.

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Apr 28, 2013 Michelle marked it as to-read

Apr 22, 2013 Erin Fraser rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 22, 2013 Morgan Lee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mar 13, 2013 Henry M marked it as to-read

Feb 02, 2013 Sarah-Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: lgbt, 21st-century

Jan 06, 2013 Brett Waytuck rated it 4 of 5 stars

Aug 05, 2012 Morgan Eaton rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jun 28, 2012 Dan Retson rated it 1 of 5 stars

Jun 12, 2012 Jackie rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 20, 2012 Mh marked it as to-read

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May 02, 2012 Cassandra marked it as to-read

Shelves: m-m

Feb 29, 2012 sn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: asperger-s, syndrome, insects, homosexuality, sex

Feb 23, 2012 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Feb 22, 2012 Brian Blatchley marked it as to-read

Nov 20, 2011 Ila marked it as to-read

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Sep 13, 2011 Martin marked it as to-read-fiction

Aug 12, 2011 Georg rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Apr 17, 2011 George Kester rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 03, 2011 Logan marked it as to-read

Mar 26, 2011 Michael V. Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mar 22, 2011 Matt Rohweder rated it 2 of 5 stars

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About George K. Ilsley

Writer in residence, in the Yukon, in winter. And loved it.

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