Sweet In Many Ways - Not What I Would Call A Romance Story

This is an overall interesting book - different from others I’d read. As it takes place in a different time, I felt myself hosting a lot of judgements that may not be fair.

I’m finding a disturbing and difficult pattern in some of the “escape” (romance) books. The first being - anything that falls into sexual assault makes me uncomfortable with a “romance” label. Anything that has an assault on a child for sure kicks that FAR out of “romance.”

I really don’t know if it’s fair to classify this as a romance. It is, and isn’t. It’s more about “people” as they navigate a time before Stonewall and Pride parades, and so men having secret affairs - while realistic - I don’t find “romantic.” The other family members and the struggles make me to sad to feel whims of “romance.”

Still - the book is quite well written and the story is very intriguing! But for how it’s classified, if you’re expecting anything romantic or slightly erotic, I’d be concerned if anyone felt “aroused” by this one.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Takes me back.

I remember the problems my friends went through, and how NYC was a haven. We have lost our urbanity.

Dryer than day old bread

If this was supposed to be a love story you can’t tell. While Walter talks about his passionate love for Barry there are no intimate scenes to back these claims up. I don’t mean intimate in a sexual way, necessarily, but also in the way they interact. There is just no tangible feeling of love. Also something about the way Walter expresses things makes it hard to believe and therefore connect with him, and since the story is told entirely from his perspective, that connection to or support for him is vital and yet missing. This book is a pass for me and I wouldn’t recommend it.

A great book

it was good listen, with lots of history about being gay in the 50's. He was lucky to have a place to keep his love and make him part of his family.

Imagine Don Draper discovering he’s gay

The story drew me in.
Narrator was excellent.
This book was very entertaining from start to finish.

No.

I did not enjoy this title. Stilted, Passages border on being antisemetic. Not for me.

Excellent

This is an excellent book. The writing is absolutely exquisite, and the narration is perfect! I was actually sad when it was over. I loved everything about it and I highly recommend it.

no retribution for being gay

I loved this book, pretty realistic, and Walter was not punished for being who he was.

Surprise delight

I liked the bromance and all the many details of the times in which they lived. It was very real.