E. Jankowski

Earnest Informative, Very Interesting.

Revisado: 10-06-23

Audible version. I have an interest in history and when possible a quality book on LGB history is a gem. This book is a gem✨
When I stopped listening each day I was anticipated when I’d be getting back to it. I even took in in the house and listened a couple hours more a few times not wanting to stop.
The narrator did a stellar job with a wonderful. Voice. No lag or difference in the midst when you can tell they started recording a morning session w energy.
I’ll be pursuing other audible book w this narrator.
Highly recommend, I learned a lot.
Two thumbs up. 👍👍

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Stopping audiobook halfway 👎

Revisado: 07-05-23

I’ve listened to the Pillars of the Earth series multiple times, so I do have a liking for this period in history.
I also listened to Rutherford’s NEW YORK twice and loved it.
However here I kept plodding along but the main factor is the narrator. Narrated by an English woman who speaks fairly slow and has a rough voice. I even put the speed on 1.1, then 1.2 to change the voice and quicken the telling. It knocked hours off the total times but I’d now listened to about 20 hours w 20ish left. I give up.
I can’t bear her voice anymore.
I kept thinking it’ll kick in once I’m more invested in the story. Nope.
I just want it to stop and feel relieved I’m not going back.
I’m certain if it were another narrator I’d have responded better.

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Pretty Awesome

Revisado: 01-18-23

Best Laid Plans was great. Could go on listening forever as they continued and grew older.
This is book 2 which I thought was even better than book 1, Better Than People. Book1 was great as well.
Both are focused on those involved, get very personal and lots of feelings etc.
If you know Tal Bauer’s gay novels on espionage, international affairs, and the US gov’t amidst gay interest, crushes and sex and love….well this is the opposite.
The author focuses on the characters lives and thoughts feelings, period. No big external backdrop or subplots.
I do recommend Tal Bauer’s book as well, they’re just very styles of fiction.

We never really hear or know of other ppl in the book unless they are in a scene with the primary characters. For example there is a lesbian couple we hear of and have some intro to thru Charlie’s connection and when then have been present w Charlie. That’s fine, it works, but I thought it could add some dimension to perhaps hear a chat with just the lesbians talking about their thoughts on a main character or how they play a role in the their lives through the eyes of the lesbian couple not always the main gay guys.
Also, Simon’s grandmother is very key in his life, and pillar of strength for Simon. Could be nice to hear a little more depth that focused on how she’s so great for Simon, and by extension all the primary gay boys here. Or even some of her personal observations of life, society, or heck even an experience baking in a cookie making competition bc we get she loves making cookies. And the main gate here could show up to support her as she does them. Just some thoughts on a little bit deeper context and character development.
I loved the book but thought it would take much to take a couple wrong turns and end up on Danielle Steele Drive. It’s definitely not like her. Just that it can get 2 dimensional here and there, with little connection or f/u to the lives before this book.
I did Audible. Def helped add dimension to hear the different voices presented by the narrator.
I never wanted to turn it off when I was driving and got to my destination.

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Really good but…

Revisado: 01-11-23

Sweet story and endearing without too much bubble gum tripe. Pretty good character development for a fairly short book. Simon’s anxiety DO is presented realistically esp re what goes on in the minds of those enduring it.
I did the audio version I thought it added to the overall experience. I kept wanting to get back to it.
My one gripe (issue?) is a small idiosyncrasy of mine. The author is female, and not a gay guy. Reading that she is wanting to publish in all genres feels like gay crush story is one on the list to check off.
Part of my thought w this perspective is it feels better reading it thinking I can relate to the author and they know of which they write. When writing about the sex scenes Roan Parrish hasn’t had sex w a man as a man. She can write fine on it, but hasn’t experienced what she goes into detail about M/M. So it feel a bit paint by numbers.
Having said that I’m going to be listening to the second book, that says the story was more rewarding and overshadows my idiosyncrasy.
I’d recommend the book! 👍👍

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All Misfits Will Identify.

Revisado: 12-15-22

Historically all those who were different in some way had to leave for the cities if they couldn’t be invisible or at least seen as benign, or else fall outside the social umbrella of protection. The police aren’t called when they are part of the potential violence that can occur, or blame you for being attacked bc you’re dressed like a _________ (man, whore, foreigner..).
This audio version of the book is very good. It really makes the difference w regional accents and here the Southern cadences come through where a paper book wouldn’t do so enough.
How many Roy’s in this country over the many decades and centuries becoming what’s expected just to not be murdered. Wearing the dresses, getting married, becoming spinster sisters, working night shifts to be less visible etc. etc.
This speaks to severe poverty and class issues as much as gender & sexual orientation.
Will listen again as it’s a very experiential process, and I often felt a like a silent witness there with them.
I’m certain I’ll get a whole different book going in a 2nd time around.
Be aware - this book may not be the best thing to read right now if you are finding life very hard, are depressed etc. This is most often a fluid narrative, but can be very emotional heavy to endure, at time if feel very sad and emotionally weighted even when not listening.
That fear and shame and trauma and guilt and disassociation that humans can experience is all here, and is sometimes left in your lap or heart and you only know bc you’re aware immersed in and now living it only slightly how they did.

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