Stripping Penguins Bare

by Michael Carson

product_description

Genres: Fiction, Adult Fiction, Gay

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 1990

About the author

Michael Carson is the pen name of British author Michael Wherly. He is best known for his Benson trilogy of novels, about a young man growing up Catholic and homosexual.

Reviews

[S.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be my age and the many references in the novel to things past (which may be lost on younger/non-British readers), but I really enjoyed this book. The MC is both naive and gauche, yet brutally honest about himself; and the way he always strives to do good I found most endearing. I liked Michael Carson's writing-style and the various believable side characters he creates. And the pacing kept me interested right to the end. One thing, however, I know I bang on about covers, but this one doesn't serve the story at all well, suggesting something, well, more lightweight. And the title -that just seems snatched out of thin air!

[Mr Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a good depiction of 60s and 70s University experience for working class students, but the flexible unstructured degree programme surely wasn't around then (maybe it was at places like Aberystwyth?).
The heroes sexual adventures continue and are described in detail that some readers might find off-putting. A good read although the plot lines become increasingly predictable.

[El · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this but not as much as the first book of the trilogy.