Andre’s Comments (group member since Nov 30, 2008)

Andre’s comments from the LGBTQA Group Books group.

I got the sense that the Author was trying just that, mix a "intellectualism" with hedonism.

I should start off saying that I am not actually into erotica, but I can enjoy a book as long as it is not just literary porn. For example, I read "Wild Animals I knew" and at the end, felt like I read the script of a porn video, and came away with nothing. The book "Closer" on the other hand, erotic, violent, and often times obscene, but the story was good enough that when the book ended I felt like my time was well spent and I came away with having experienced a good tale.

This book, obviously, failed for me in the beginning. If I wasn't so cheap (I MUST read every book I buy - no matter how painful) and devoted to the idea of this book club, I probably would have abandoned this book from page 6. The only part of the book in chapter one that meant anything at all was the story about Aurthur living at Williams home and the story of Lord Nantwhich dying and being revived by William. As far as the erotica, my assumption is we just aren't there yet. Other than a few lustful descriptions of protruding bulges and arousing descriptions of sexy bodies, the book isn't really, as of chapter two, what I would consider erotic or hedonistic.

Chapter two, however, just a much better read. Nothing thus far has stood out as a literary masterpiece; nothing I came across was so quotable that I felt the urge to text message some of my more literary savvy friends, but the book is taking a turn that I hope it continues to turn too. I am excited with anticipation and hope that this book might be a good read after all. :)

David that is exactly my situation, took almost a week to get past page 4. However, I can say that after my angry (not really) rant last night, the book did seem to immediately get better. I just didn't have enough in me to finish even that chapter. Tonight I will finish chapter 1 and hopefully two.

Side Note: My friends non-GLBT book club is reading AND THE BAND PLAYED ON: PEOPLE, POLITICS AND THE AID EPIDEMIC - they are loving it. They read one book at the end of each scholastic trimester- I am really glad that choose that one.

This book is hideous! It takes more than a fancy thesaurus to write a good book. I have read a lot of good books that were wordy, but being wordy alone doesn't make a book a good read. I usually dont mind using a dictionary to get through a story, but when you have to look up every other word, and in the end, the story is bland, it isn't satisfying. This book is pretentious and I am not enjoying it at all.

And oh, I am only on page 12!

"The Mayor of Castro Street" by Randy Shilts

My pick because I want to read this book before I got watch the new featured film "Milk" by Gus Van Sant.

yeah I think we should probably think about doing a loose schedule (Start discussing Chapters 1-5 on this date) might be an idea. I mean I like to talk about books before I am done, and then talk about my overall impression when I am done. Just my thoughts.

i like it... we should do a randy shilts book

I see that the start date is Mid-Dec. ... are we going to "assign" chapters and read them and then talk about them, or, are we just getting an end date to finish it by? thanks!