Bit too long

At 650 pages, I think this novel started to drag towards the end and could have finished a good 100 pages earlier. However, I did enjoy the first two parts of this book, the vivid descriptions of Victorian London really give you an impression of how tough life was and Nan's infatuation with Kitty was very well portrayed as was the downward spiral of how she became a"renter". I think it started to lose it's edge when she moved in with Florence - would Nan really prefer to track down a virtual stranger to beg accomodation with instead of her family who she just turned against for no real reason exceprt her sister wasn't best pleased about her being a lesbian! The sex descriptions are very detailed and raunchy and did leave you to believe that Nan was a nynphomaniac. Overall, I did enjoy the majority of this book but felt the last part let it down. And, also, I started to get annoyed at the use of the word"regular" instead of"normal" or"ordinary" - this is an Americanism and doubt it was used in the late 1800's in England???? <br />

I Am What I Am -- A Review

After reading John Barrowman's first book, 'Anything Goes' I had to get his second book and read it. I wasn't disappointed. He and his sister continued telling stories of his family and his work in the theatre and on television both in the US and the UK. <br />John is a very talented Entertainer who makes no apologies for who he is and believes that he was made the way he is from the get go and I agree.<br />The little table talks that he puts in between chapters are fun and witty while his lists give you insight into his likes and dislikes. <br />He also includes his partner Scott in a lot of his stories and lists making you feel as though you are following both of them on this wild journey.<br />Enjoy the book, it's a great read and well worth your time and money.I am What I am

Dense, Irrelevant, Outdated, Non-Scientific

Some poeple would tell you that this book deserves five starts for its historical relevance alone. To them Ill say: 1 I am reading it NOW, not in the past. and 2 other books in a similar position (such as Freud) are still a pleasure to read. this book is dense, strays madly from its reasoning. forbidding in prose, the points are spread thinly throughout the book and the conclusions sometimes self-contradictory.<br /><br />if youd like a much better breakdown of womens lot in life, check ridleys red queen instead

Fab., obviously; but should be more than a 2-disc recording

Refers to audiobook CD:<br />Fannie is great to listen to, and I loved her 'Ninny Threadgood' voice. This is a must for fans of Fannie Flagg, specifically; and fans of the book, generally.<br /><br />I think the audiobook is mid-way between the book and the film because although it isn't subjected to the re-write that film scripts are, it is still an abridged version, and the relationship between Idgy and Ruth still appears neutral due to editing. I think the audiobook should have been 4-5 discs, like other of Fannie's books; this would have allowed more of the story to be told, even if it still remained abridged.<br /><br />The CD is a cardboard book-style case. The case opens like a book, and there is a disc clipped to either side. There is no additional material (recipe cards, biog. info, etc). When opened, the card CD-case does not have any protective sleeve to stop the edges getting roughed, similar to many (not all) CD's of similar packaging.<br />

Compelling story telling

An intrigueing story set amidst the unusual in steamy and latin Argentina. You start off getting introduced to the eccentricities of life in the southern hemisphere and end up being drawn in to the life of Richard, an Anglo-Argentine, with split loyalties and a desire for better things in life. His normality echoes no doubt with many, and his story is one of tragic rise and an ultimate ending which leaves you turning frantically to the last page. Great story telling, description and characterisation, and a tale which should acompany many on their holidays, or to amuse whilst waiting for the snow to clear. Good stuff.

Hum and ha.......

I can't say i didn't enjoy this latest book from Ms Hill, I did. But.......I finished it wondering if I had missed bits out. I found it a bit too lightweight in comparison with 'Hunters Way' and 'The Killing Room'. But that put to one side, a good read.

Between two (gay) worlds

Blurbs often say that a book is"unputdownable" or"a pageturner". If that is often a way to trick potential readers into buying worthless rubbish, it's not the case of Rupert Smith's"Man's World". What you have here is a real feast for the reader. When you start reading it, you must reach the end as soon as possible... and then you'd wish to have more and more."Man's World" tells the fascinating story of a group of gay men in two very different times: England and London in the Fifties and nowadays. Those who take all our modern freedoms for granted hardly know how difficult it was then to live as a gay man and how many hurdles you had to overcome in order to simply survive. Robert (and his friend Jonathan) belong to those who don't know and don't care, as long as they can revel in their world made of drugs, sex, shopping and clubbing... But soon Robert meets 70-year-old Michael, his new neighbour, and discover his past. And little by little Robert understands how lucky he is and how grateful he should be to men like Michael and Stephen for fighting for him too. Written in the form of Michael's diary and Robert's weblog,"Man's world" is funny and sad, wise and moving, sexy and thoughtful. Not only is it extremely readable - in the best tradition of English speaking literature -, but it also conveys what once was called"a message", without ever being highbrow or boringly intellectual. Rupert Smith's best literary achievement so far.

A credit to an excellent series

I have read quite a few of the 'Best Women's Erotica' series and throughout the standard has remained very high. Best Women's Erotica 2007 was one of my particular favourites. The 2009 edition continues with that high standard.<br /><br />I have to say that my favourite story is 'Ritual Space' by Janine Ashbless. A tale of subterranean lust, and Janine describes it as it is, hot and pulsatingly erotic, I really felt the passion coming over me.<br /><br />The cover picture is also good, the girl has a lovely glowing complexion. Another book of red hot stories I've got into recently, is Elizabeth Chamberlain's very excellent Absolute Erotica: The Definitive Collection

Redressing the balance, but needs to go further

This is an interesting review of what feminists see as the gains women have made (or the gains feminists believe they have made on behalf of women). Its tone is conversational and not an aggressive rant designed to make women 'more self-aware' of their own 'victimhood'. Lots of interesting stats and facts about employment, types of relationship, etc. However, the book is still in a long tradition of middle-class feminism that gives the impression that women in the late 20th century have won a battle against men. History tells a different story. 1)Yes, women did gain the vote after WW1. However, until the late 19th century, most men could not vote either. 2)Universal, compulsory education was brought in for both girls and boys by the 1870 education act. So strictly speaking, it's not true that all girls were always disadvantaged because of all boys. It will not do for radical feminists to treat men and women as political classes. The main reason men and women gained late access to universal suffrage and education was because of the class system which spans both sexes. 3)Working-class women and women in rural areas have always worked. Feminism is a middle-class movement. All well and good. The problem is post-1960s feminists who have tried to redefine educational and professional achievements and participated in a dumbing-down process which brings far too many people to universities and provides silly degrees like Women's Studies which perpetuate the myth of female victimhood. Walter's book may go some of the way to turning the tide against this pointless mentality, but it still rests on the assumption that once upon a time, all women were victims of all men. Not true.

Loved it!

I absolutely loved this book! It's fast becoming one of my favorites! Read it....

Another great read

If you enjoyed the other books by this author you won't be disappointed. This is another endearing story full of humour on the one hand and really moving moments that aren't predictable and overly sentimental on the other hand. Not to be missed.

review

I found it a very good book, really caught my attention with some of the stories, nice and steamy.

worthwhile read

reccomended by a friend and I read over a few days . This author definitely knows what he is talking about when he delves into the psyche of gay men.The relationship issues, the obsession with the body beautiful, the baggage we bring from childhood and the closet.For me it stirred up a fair amount of sediment and that is no bad thing.

Flowers of Evil.

Strange, risque and understandably controversial.<br />The 'notes' on the text are helpful otherwise I would have difficulty knowing what he means.<br />As a huge fan of Bob Dylan, I wanted to read something that inspired him! I am still reading the verse and hope to become more enlightened as I read on.

I Love This Book

I really do love this book. John opens himself up to his fans. It a relaxing read and will lift your spirits if you are down. John gives the reader an open, warm, and honest look at his life up to a couple years ago. He comes from a very loving family who supported him in his quest to fulfill his dreams and shares his incredible luck that is his career. He shares with the reader many of the adventures he has had because of his career. And most of all, the reader can feel the love and appreciation John has for his fans and how grateful he is for them. This book is a thank you to all his fans.

Synopsis

Famed Hollywood actress Veronica Ryan arrives at a red carpet event with her wife Shawn. They are the world's most famous gay couple--beautiful, wealthy, and by all appearances, the happiest couple in the world. But things aren't always as they appear. And someone is out to dampen the parade. A shot rings out and Veronica finds herself tackled to the ground by security, her wife lying next to her in a pool of blood. <br /><br />Kennedy Scott used to be the best behavioral profiler the FBI had, but she is haunted by a string of child murders no one can solve. A single quote--Seek and ye shall find--was all she had to go on. The case has eaten her alive, and after her own family is threatened by an armed intruder, Kennedy retreats to be with them. But one phone call brings her back into the game. Veronica Ryan needs her help and the path may lead to the one who haunts her. The Seeker.

I'm in love with Reese Conlon!!!

It's true! I think I have been since the first book in this Provincetown series. The characters in Radclyffe's books are captivating and real, none more so than in this one. You find yourself day dreaming about them when you shouldn't be - like at work! Reese aside, this is is an excellent book with story well worthy of a few hours of your time. Another page turner that keeps your attention until the very last page and long may they continue.

Fantastically fun fiction

This could be the shortest review in history:<br />Buy it, buy it now and read it - I don't care if you're even gay or not- just buy this book because it is fantastic!<br />Oh alright, why is it great? Because it is genuinely funny, as in laugh out loud funny. It's affecting, touching and despite the extraordinary events it depicts, strangely believable. The main characters are very different but all completely likeable and fully developed with quirks and traits we could recognise in anyone. The issues of friendship, love and honesty are subtly explored and no particular message is rammed home in that way that so often badly affects American entertainment.<br />The book is completely charming from start to finish, reeling you in and immersing you in a world you will be very reluctant to leave.<br />I repeat, buy it now!<br />Read - if you like south american fun and adventure<br />Don't read - if you are truly boring and humourless

Sheer Joy!

Having picked up a friends copy of 'No Strings' I wanted more of Ms Hill and wasn't disappointed with 'Rainbow Cedar'. I couldn't put it down as it transported me away from dreary wet London and into the warmth of Texas and the two main characters. Needless to say, I have ordered more of her books to keep me happy!

The Back Passage

A Funny, sexy"Who dunnit" book, with quite graphic sex in every chapter.<br />The main character Mitch takes every opportunity (and there are many) to enjoy his sexuality. James Lear is on to a winner with this character and I hope he takes him further into his adventures as a detective. I can't wait to read more.