Jayson James, "Tormented Discovery" and "Finding our Way"

[Ulysses]

I've read two of the three books in this trilogy - just getting Justin and Derrick out of Chandler High.

Three stars reflects my mixed feelings about these books. I've read scores of YA books - every possible variation on the coming out/nerd-jock/friends-to-lovers themes.

The best aspect of these books (assuming it carries on into the third volume) is the layered complexity of the boys' lives, and the wider community of friends who become part of the story. There is an authenticity to the shifting POVs in the books that makes me suspect that they reflect Jayson James' own life; they're too real not to be real.

As a middle-aged gay man, I remember a lot of this, even though my high school years were forty years ago. What has changed, and dramatically, is the possibility of really finding love for a gay boy in high school, and the possibility that being out won't destroy your life. I don't think those options were really on the books for my generation.

As part of a two-dad family with teenagers (whom we've raised since infancy), I confess that I'm appalled at the way parents are presented in these books. I'm not saying that it's not accurate, from a teenager's perspective; simply that it is depressing to think that teenagers see adults, and specifically their parents, in this way. I suppose my own kids, in spite of having gay dads who are lenient and liberal, feel this way about us, and it just makes me want to weep.

Then again, as much as I adored and loved being with my parents as a teenager, I know I saw them as essentially alien beings. Sigh.

The negative aspects of the book are the poor editing and even worse grammar. Weirdly, these two significant defects make them feel oddly authentic - just the sort of sloppy writing I'd expect from teenage boys. However, I don't think that the author, who is a teacher (!!!) did this intentionally. These are very long books for YA, and part of that length is simply meandering, unedited plot.

In the end, after two of the three books, I feel like I've experienced something very realistic, very true to life. As folk narratives these are fascinating and, possibly, important. As literature, I'm afraid I have to say I think the writing interferes with the reader's enjoyment.

[Ulysses]

Finally finished "Drifting Apart," the final episode in the Justin and Derrick saga.

All of the flaws continue - but so does the sense of eerie authenticity as our college boys find their relationship stressed to the breaking point. The cast of characters we've followed since high school is still around, and they're a welcome presence - but new, crucial characters appear, which is true in real life as well.

As a parent (and as a gay man who never was a big drinker), the amount of alcohol abuse seen as "having fun" in this book is truly appalling - but I'm pretty sure it is not far off the mark for many teens and early 20-somethings.