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Common Threads in the Life #1
Common Sons
Joel's rural life of high school and farming in Common, New Mexico, is changed forever when Tom comes to town. The son of a preacher, Tom reaches out to Joel in friendship, and their bond to each other becomes as tight as brothers. Joel's openness to his own feelings and acceptance of himself (a healthy trait instilled by his loving parents) allows him to explore some new and confusing feelings he has for Tom. His confusion clears, however, after a reckless drinking bout ends with a very public kiss from Tom. But Tom's torment of sin and self-incrimination are far from over. Common Sons, the first in a series entitled "Common Threads in the Life," is a moving tale of self-discovery, love, and finding the courage to come out and come to grips with the truth in the face of hatred and adversity.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2000
7 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Ronald L. Donaghe
38 books21 followersRonald L. Donaghe was raised on a farm in southern New Mexico. The setting for many of his novels involves the desert and the mountains of New Mexico. He is a master at evoking the stark beauty and sheer majesty of such settings but also the unforgiving and harsh side.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 21, 2013
For a book published in 1989 and set in the 1960s, Common Sons was an amazing gay coming out and coming of age love story. Though I'm not familiar with that particular setting, a small New Mexico town, I could definitely relate to the religious dogma that was depicted in the story.
The two main characters are Joel, the son of a successful farmer, and Tom, the son of a fundamentalist minister. In many ways the boys are opposites, yet they become best friends. The friends-to-lovers evolution of their relationship is beautifully portrayed. Tom's guilt and questioning of his religious beliefs cut right into my heart. It felt so authentic to me.
My biggest surprise is that I've gone all these years without knowing this book existed. Now I'm intent on reading the rest of the series.
The two main characters are Joel, the son of a successful farmer, and Tom, the son of a fundamentalist minister. In many ways the boys are opposites, yet they become best friends. The friends-to-lovers evolution of their relationship is beautifully portrayed. Tom's guilt and questioning of his religious beliefs cut right into my heart. It felt so authentic to me.
My biggest surprise is that I've gone all these years without knowing this book existed. Now I'm intent on reading the rest of the series.
February 1, 2010
Common Sons is the first book in the Common Threads series about the same couple with a vast array of supporting characters that feature in their life. This story introduces Joel and Tom as their close friendship turns into a relationship, complete with a number of problems ranging from their young age, conservative community, parental disapproval, to violence and its aftermath. Although decently written, the book drags in some spots and coasts easily over others which gives a final uneven pace and feeling. However, there are several poignant moments and the descriptive quality brings the small town into sharp relief. The characters are interesting, Joel especially so and likely to linger in the readers’ mind after the book ends.
The story opens with Joel waking up smelling like sex. He reminisces about the night before when his best friend Tom got drunk and innocently kissed Joel. Unfortunately they were in front of a group of rowdy teenagers, which has repercussions in the community. However, Tom and Joel go further than just kissing that night leaving the two boys with very different reactions to their newfound intimacy. Not only will their new relationship be tested by their upbringing and parents, but also by the community.
Set in the mid 1960’s in Common, New Mexico, the story gives an authentic backdrop to its plot. The oppressive heat is balanced by the furtive joy of the boy’s relationship. The story has an innate descriptive quality that drops the reader immediately into the dust of the time, the lazy days with nothing to do but work on the family farm or attend to duties set out by parents, the concern over finances when sand storms roll through. It’s easy to see how time seems to stand still in such small towns yet continues to progress and change in subtle, quiet ways. The conservative views of the town are echoed easily in the class distinctions at the high school, farmers versus ranchers versus city kids. Here the intimate setting is well crafted and fully explored to show the many facets of the time frame and attitudes. The beauty of the land is highlighted several places and is as important to the book as the characters themselves.
The plot itself is decent though predictable. The main conflict and tension comes from Tom’s religious upbringing and his belief that acting on his desires was a sin. Additionally the boys aren’t exactly the most discrete about their relationship and this causes problems that are occasionally violent. There is subplot about Tom and Joel being harassed by an angry local boy who ends up causing a traumatic event for the entire town. This is perhaps one of the weaker aspects of the story because it feels too easy and the resolution, while tragic, felt too much like a way out without harming the main characters. For the most part, the plot follows the two boys as they individually and together figure out their relationship, what they want, what they’re willing to give up, while occasionally seeking the advice of a few key adults. The story does drag in several places when the descriptions of the land, mountains, and mental wanderings of the narrators send the book on unimportant tangents. These repetitive descriptions and mental trips help solidify the setting but slow the pace and interest of the story. I found myself almost skimming these since several of them were repetitive from earlier scenes and phrases. They do create a very vivid landscape of the time and area though.
The story is told in alternating third person point of view from a number of the characters. There is the main protagonist in Joel, a sixteen year old farmer’s son that is very grounded in reality and the earth. He’s pragmatic and his goals for the future are to work on his land and live in Common. He’s not simple or lazy. He works hard and appreciates the land with a rare joy that shines. Joel’s honest and upfront actions are a delightful and refreshing aspect of the book and above all, Joel shines as the most interesting and charismatic character of the book. His loyalty and passion are clear and contrast well with Tom’s fearful and often neurotic personality. The only caveat I have about Joel is that he often is too caught up in his emotions to think about the reality of situations. The two boys take chances that are clearly risky to the reader but they act shocked when something negative happens. This plays to their youth and immaturity but also creates an artificial bubble around them, offering clean solutions to their problems.
The character of Tom is more difficult to like due to his insistence on clinging to ignorance and rhetoric. When he finally wakes up with the help and advice of a younger, more mature boy, Tom’s character picks up. He is more interesting and dynamic when thinking for himself and displaying a touching insecurity alongside newfound confidence. He seems to waiver quite a bit from confident, intelligent, mature young man to emotional, overwhelmed, and scared. Additionally there is a large cast of supporting characters that mostly stay within classic stereotype frames. The community at large, including both sets of parents, are familiar roles and thus not much time or energy is spent expanding them. The one exception is Joel’s father who is given a particularly false military experience to be able to relate to Joel but the detail seems contrived.
The various secondary characters help carry the tension of the story, since the main tension exists between their reactions and beliefs and the boys’ hope to be together. Once Tom and Joel reconnect and get past their initial reactions to sex, the story is careful to let bad things happen to them from a distance. Bad things do happen in the story to both the young men and the community but often these are glossed over, played down, or presented after the fact. This keeps the two young men in a happy ending but also limits the emotional impact of their coming out and coming of age tale. Overall, the decent writing, even with a few uneven pacing spots, gives an interesting and classic tale that will likely resonate with readers. I’m debating continuing with the series and if Tom and Joel are the focus, I’ll definitely pick them up.
The story opens with Joel waking up smelling like sex. He reminisces about the night before when his best friend Tom got drunk and innocently kissed Joel. Unfortunately they were in front of a group of rowdy teenagers, which has repercussions in the community. However, Tom and Joel go further than just kissing that night leaving the two boys with very different reactions to their newfound intimacy. Not only will their new relationship be tested by their upbringing and parents, but also by the community.
Set in the mid 1960’s in Common, New Mexico, the story gives an authentic backdrop to its plot. The oppressive heat is balanced by the furtive joy of the boy’s relationship. The story has an innate descriptive quality that drops the reader immediately into the dust of the time, the lazy days with nothing to do but work on the family farm or attend to duties set out by parents, the concern over finances when sand storms roll through. It’s easy to see how time seems to stand still in such small towns yet continues to progress and change in subtle, quiet ways. The conservative views of the town are echoed easily in the class distinctions at the high school, farmers versus ranchers versus city kids. Here the intimate setting is well crafted and fully explored to show the many facets of the time frame and attitudes. The beauty of the land is highlighted several places and is as important to the book as the characters themselves.
The plot itself is decent though predictable. The main conflict and tension comes from Tom’s religious upbringing and his belief that acting on his desires was a sin. Additionally the boys aren’t exactly the most discrete about their relationship and this causes problems that are occasionally violent. There is subplot about Tom and Joel being harassed by an angry local boy who ends up causing a traumatic event for the entire town. This is perhaps one of the weaker aspects of the story because it feels too easy and the resolution, while tragic, felt too much like a way out without harming the main characters. For the most part, the plot follows the two boys as they individually and together figure out their relationship, what they want, what they’re willing to give up, while occasionally seeking the advice of a few key adults. The story does drag in several places when the descriptions of the land, mountains, and mental wanderings of the narrators send the book on unimportant tangents. These repetitive descriptions and mental trips help solidify the setting but slow the pace and interest of the story. I found myself almost skimming these since several of them were repetitive from earlier scenes and phrases. They do create a very vivid landscape of the time and area though.
The story is told in alternating third person point of view from a number of the characters. There is the main protagonist in Joel, a sixteen year old farmer’s son that is very grounded in reality and the earth. He’s pragmatic and his goals for the future are to work on his land and live in Common. He’s not simple or lazy. He works hard and appreciates the land with a rare joy that shines. Joel’s honest and upfront actions are a delightful and refreshing aspect of the book and above all, Joel shines as the most interesting and charismatic character of the book. His loyalty and passion are clear and contrast well with Tom’s fearful and often neurotic personality. The only caveat I have about Joel is that he often is too caught up in his emotions to think about the reality of situations. The two boys take chances that are clearly risky to the reader but they act shocked when something negative happens. This plays to their youth and immaturity but also creates an artificial bubble around them, offering clean solutions to their problems.
The character of Tom is more difficult to like due to his insistence on clinging to ignorance and rhetoric. When he finally wakes up with the help and advice of a younger, more mature boy, Tom’s character picks up. He is more interesting and dynamic when thinking for himself and displaying a touching insecurity alongside newfound confidence. He seems to waiver quite a bit from confident, intelligent, mature young man to emotional, overwhelmed, and scared. Additionally there is a large cast of supporting characters that mostly stay within classic stereotype frames. The community at large, including both sets of parents, are familiar roles and thus not much time or energy is spent expanding them. The one exception is Joel’s father who is given a particularly false military experience to be able to relate to Joel but the detail seems contrived.
The various secondary characters help carry the tension of the story, since the main tension exists between their reactions and beliefs and the boys’ hope to be together. Once Tom and Joel reconnect and get past their initial reactions to sex, the story is careful to let bad things happen to them from a distance. Bad things do happen in the story to both the young men and the community but often these are glossed over, played down, or presented after the fact. This keeps the two young men in a happy ending but also limits the emotional impact of their coming out and coming of age tale. Overall, the decent writing, even with a few uneven pacing spots, gives an interesting and classic tale that will likely resonate with readers. I’m debating continuing with the series and if Tom and Joel are the focus, I’ll definitely pick them up.
March 4, 2018
This has to be one of favorite books,this comes in a series called Common Threads in the Life by the wonderful author Ronald Donaghe.I remember going into A Different Light Book Store (a moment of silence for that wonderful store that is now just a memory) and asking the clerk could he recommend a good novel.He pointed to the shelf to several books in a series by Mr.Donaghe.He told me be ready to stay up late because you'll love these books and this series.He was right and I thanked him the next time I went back.This novel takes place in Common New Mexico in 1965
where we meet the two MC's Joel and Tom.Joel is waking up from a hangover and remembering the evening he spent with his best friend Tom at a dance.Tom kissed Joel in front of Joel's classmates and they barely escaped the wrath of the males that were there.Joel now realizes after making out with Tom in his truck he harbors something more than friendship for Tom.Joel decides to ask one of the few adults that he can confide in,his gym teacher and former boxing coach.The coach is understanding and tries to advise Joel the best he can but this is 1965,and psychiatrist describe homosexuality as a mental illness.Joel knows he's not mentally ill and he also is determine to fight those who think what he feels for Tom is disgusting.Joel is brave,intelligent, and strong-willed and at the tender age of 17,he knows that what he feels for Tom is more than lust it's love.Tom is a preacher's son,who is scared of his father but,not scared of his feelings for Joel.Oh,he knew he was a homosexual long before he met Joel.He tried to fight his attraction to boys.He always felt the path his father laid out for him was different from the one he wanted to take.When he met Joel he felt an instant attraction.At the age of 18, he's lived many places because of his father being a preacher,but he never truly lived or felt free to be who he is until he met Joel.But,this is a small town in New Mexico in 1965,and these two brave young men must struggle with the hatred,prejudice,and violence of those who don't understand.Joel and Tom will also find love and understanding in those they thought wouldn't accept them.I won't say more,just read this series it is indeed a good read!** Just a wonderful book and series that I highly recommend. 2/19/17
where we meet the two MC's Joel and Tom.Joel is waking up from a hangover and remembering the evening he spent with his best friend Tom at a dance.Tom kissed Joel in front of Joel's classmates and they barely escaped the wrath of the males that were there.Joel now realizes after making out with Tom in his truck he harbors something more than friendship for Tom.Joel decides to ask one of the few adults that he can confide in,his gym teacher and former boxing coach.The coach is understanding and tries to advise Joel the best he can but this is 1965,and psychiatrist describe homosexuality as a mental illness.Joel knows he's not mentally ill and he also is determine to fight those who think what he feels for Tom is disgusting.Joel is brave,intelligent, and strong-willed and at the tender age of 17,he knows that what he feels for Tom is more than lust it's love.Tom is a preacher's son,who is scared of his father but,not scared of his feelings for Joel.Oh,he knew he was a homosexual long before he met Joel.He tried to fight his attraction to boys.He always felt the path his father laid out for him was different from the one he wanted to take.When he met Joel he felt an instant attraction.At the age of 18, he's lived many places because of his father being a preacher,but he never truly lived or felt free to be who he is until he met Joel.But,this is a small town in New Mexico in 1965,and these two brave young men must struggle with the hatred,prejudice,and violence of those who don't understand.Joel and Tom will also find love and understanding in those they thought wouldn't accept them.I won't say more,just read this series it is indeed a good read!** Just a wonderful book and series that I highly recommend. 2/19/17
October 16, 2017
Ronald Donaghe's novels detail the lives of gay men who live, love, and learn as they come of age in rural New Mexico. "Common Sons," Donaghe's inaugural novel, deals with the son of a successful rancher who falls in love with the son of the town's evangelical preacher. Starting out as friends, their relationship soon turns romantic leading to a series of events set in motion by the novel's antagonist. However, the determination to live as the men they were born to be, the two build a life together as they establish a home and work on the ranch that they know will one day be theirs. There was little backlash from the community but when subjected to the prejudice that is all too familiar to gays, they handled it with dignity. The plot of "Common Sons," besides telling an empowering love story, centers on a plot that includes violence, intrigue, gossip, hate, and love.
June 8, 2019
Coming of Age .... Western Style.
A nice refreshing coming of age story. Perhaps the ending is not that realistic, but it is a fun story, nonetheless. I'll read more from this author.
A nice refreshing coming of age story. Perhaps the ending is not that realistic, but it is a fun story, nonetheless. I'll read more from this author.
August 1, 2021
Twenty Years on
I can't believe I found this book again after 20 years. Tom and Joel served as my introduction to gay literature and I would place their story right up there with Charlie & Peter.
I can't believe I found this book again after 20 years. Tom and Joel served as my introduction to gay literature and I would place their story right up there with Charlie & Peter.
August 19, 2021
I imagine it was new when published.
Nowadays, wasn't for me. Started nice but their love story didn't touch me at all, as well as the murder thing, that didn't do justice with the plot, because it didn't have to do with anything.
Nowadays, wasn't for me. Started nice but their love story didn't touch me at all, as well as the murder thing, that didn't do justice with the plot, because it didn't have to do with anything.
Read
December 20, 2021I love sagas, and this book was the start of a wonderful journey taking me through several generations defeating adversity.
May 23, 2007
I finished Common Sons by Ronald L. Donaghe, and, in terms of gay literature available to chain bookstores, I was overall pleased by the story and the characters.
The two boys fumbling with their sexuality, Joel and Tom, carried the story with their personalities, at least for half the book. The last half was not as great. The main points of conflict were resolved far too quickly, Joel and Tom fell into a stereotypical lovey-dovey ditch that the author wasn't even concerned with getting them out of (note: not a gay stereotype, rather a "i'll do anything, no matter what, give up my family to be with youuu" stereotype.) Admittedly, Donaghe wanted to provide a storybook ending, but it never clicked in that storybook way--where you felt satisfied and good like at the end of a Disney movie. He missed some key element and left readers, well, good, yeah instead of truly enthusiastic; this loss, I feel, is due to his skill as a writer, which is wanting in many aspects. Nonetheless, a good read for gays, straights, and everyone in between--I think that heteros would be able to read this as a serious but watered-down glimpse into gay life, something they could swallow without too much discomfort. There are a great deal of assisting straight characters who provide their own perspectives to the story which I think would make a hetero reader feel more at home.
The two boys fumbling with their sexuality, Joel and Tom, carried the story with their personalities, at least for half the book. The last half was not as great. The main points of conflict were resolved far too quickly, Joel and Tom fell into a stereotypical lovey-dovey ditch that the author wasn't even concerned with getting them out of (note: not a gay stereotype, rather a "i'll do anything, no matter what, give up my family to be with youuu" stereotype.) Admittedly, Donaghe wanted to provide a storybook ending, but it never clicked in that storybook way--where you felt satisfied and good like at the end of a Disney movie. He missed some key element and left readers, well, good, yeah instead of truly enthusiastic; this loss, I feel, is due to his skill as a writer, which is wanting in many aspects. Nonetheless, a good read for gays, straights, and everyone in between--I think that heteros would be able to read this as a serious but watered-down glimpse into gay life, something they could swallow without too much discomfort. There are a great deal of assisting straight characters who provide their own perspectives to the story which I think would make a hetero reader feel more at home.
May 30, 2016
After I bought this novel, I resisted reading it for weeks because of the torrent of bigotry and turmoil I knew would rain down from the initial drunken or half-drunken faux pas, in which two male teens kiss at a dance. But what I didn't anticipate was the grace, the saving grace of their love and the strength of their bond, or how transforming and infectious that human bond would shimmer and eventually glow through Joel and Tom. Love conquers Hate, even when that Love is the one that dare not speak its name, even in small towns like Common, New Mexico. The writer paints redemption, despite or because of the naivete and faith of the young lovers. That redemption is hard-scrabble, like the desert landscape, but you believe it. And when alas you go to put this yarn down, you will not want to.
May 23, 2014
The first few chapters were a bit off-putting for me as you really don't get to see the two main characters together much. But they do provide the backdrop and family backgrounds for the story. Anyway, after that, the two are always together, and it strikes me as admirable how they really face their problems together. What's better about this book is that it's only not about romance; it's also about U.S. small town lives in the 60s and values people had back then. Now, 50 years later, those values become interesting to look at. The ending is very lovely and serves as a nice resolution. It also leaves a lot of untied ends for future installments as this is the first book in a four-book series.
October 17, 2010
Very enjoyable. The characters were well drawn, the plot made it hard to put the book down, the prose was excellent (although my copy did have a few editing mistakes). The only complaint I have is that the time period wasn't very well represented. The '60s had a lot of turmoil and it all seemed to pass this little town by. Also I'm not sure what the point of having the Reece's adopt these four kids was-- seems the author likes kidfic?
September 21, 2020
It has been awhile since I read this series. But I do remember how touched I was by the courage of two young men determined to be who they are even though the small desert agricultural community tried to stop them. Another novel that deals with religious fundamentalist hatred toward those who don't toe their line.
January 9, 2012
High school friends Tom and Joel fall in love--but small New Mexico towns in the 1960s are hardly tolerant; plus Tom's position as the pastor's son makes their new relationship even more fraught. A good read.
August 15, 2011
A very easy read geared I believe towards a young audience. Two high school boys in rural New Mexico in the early 1960's come to terms with their burgeoning sexuality.
December 1, 2014
Early gay romance. Interesting also because of the sappy HEA.
August 19, 2015
This is my 'If I was in a desert island, this is he book I would have with me'. 'Nough said
July 14, 2016
' Tom laughed. "You shickle the tit out of me sometimes." '
Funny how a book can sit on a shelf for years, and suddenly one day be screaming for attention.
A most excellent read!
Funny how a book can sit on a shelf for years, and suddenly one day be screaming for attention.
A most excellent read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews