Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've admired and enjoyed J.G. Hayes since I first happened upon his first glorious book of stories, This Thing Called Courage. His portraits of young men growing up gay and confused or self-hateful in South Boston are more than courageous. They are absolutely spot on true. You can walk or drive down the streets and alleys of South Boston and you feel that you've walked into a perfectly told story by Hayes. Stories of male beauty clouded by fear of the unknown and terror of self acceptance and self knowledge.
The second book of stories by Hayes, Now Batting For Boston, is a continuation of the promise he showed in his first book. He has an eye and ear for language and plot that is astonishing. But it is the heart of his writing and the heart in his tales that gets the reader in the gut. Again and again and again.
It is personally thrilling to me that I was even more moved by A Map of the Harbor Islands than I have been by Hayes' stories. This is a glorious and great and grand novel. Danny O'Connor and Petey Harding are astonishing and surprising and sexy and wise characters. Taking their journey along with them has been one of the pleasures of my life as a reader.
This book is obviously influenced by another great gay novel, At Swim Two Boys. But this is not just an imitation or an Americanized version of that great Irish masterpiece. This is a true work of art on its own. Tonight I could not put this book down though I nearly froze after sitting in a bath for three hours turning the pages furiously.
Do yourself a life lasting favor. Get this book. Lock the doors. Light some candles. Get comfortable. And take part in a great and beautiful love story for the ages.
Bravo, Mr. Hayes, you've done it again. May your story telling never cease and may you acknowledge and accept the pleasure you give.
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