Rating: 
Summary: A Dream Song
Review: Those with a fairly narrow concept of what narrative style should be are the ones who dislike this book, sometimes very intensely. And some are confused by the ending. But the title is the key: "Dream Boy". The lyrical, dreamlike style of the book points toward the surreal ending all along. Rather than expecting a traditional narrative, just be ready for the dream to take flight, and you'll do fine. This is Southern writing at its most evocative-- A book to treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: Dreams of Nightmares?
Review: rafting the stories of boys just coming out seems to be a trend in gay literature. Perhaps because so many younger people are coming out these days, this literature helps to give them a sense of identity. Or perhaps us old folks enjoy reminiscing about the days when we first came out, and the world was fresh, new and exciting. At any rate, Grimsley lends his voice to this genre with "Dream Boy".This is my second journey into the literary world of Jim Grimsley. First, after having devoured "Comfort and Joy", I was eager to see what other journeys Grimsley has planned for us. "Dream Boy" is one incredible journey, but where its destination is still remains to be seen. Nathan is a reticent, introverted sophomore suffering from constantly moving from one area to another. His father is a distant alcoholic with a terrible secret; his mother is as undefined as the wallpaper in their new house. At the beginning of the story, they move next door to a religious family with a son named Roy, two years Nathan's senior. Nathan becomes immediately smitten with the older boy, but is unsure of his intentions. Soon, they are made clear, and a complicated romance blooms between the two. Their courtship dance is the most compelling part of the book, as we see them weave their interest in each other very carefully. Both boys are complete characters, complex and developed. You yearn for them express their feelings and emotions for each other, for them to work out. But Nathan harbors a terrible secret, one that is slowly revealed, but ultimately threatens everything that Nathan wants. Grimsley's writing style in this book is far more poetic than in "Comfort and Joy". His descriptions are wonderful, lyrical, and allows you to slow down in this read just to enjoy the words. What could have been a common, everyday coming out story transcends higher because of the melody of his sentences. The music of his writing is simply beautiful. However, the main fault of the book lies in the ending. Taking a beautiful story, Grimsley warps the story by it's haunting, tense climax. It seemed out of book's style to have what happened happened. Frankly I was a bit confused as to the outcome as well, having difficulty understanding what was real and wasn't. Perhaps this is one of those books that will linger in my mind for months to come, thereby, getting a bigger understanding of the entire story. For now, "Dream Boy" simply stays with me as a dream, and a somewhat beautiful, haunting dream it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have been so much better
Review: When I read the first chapter of the book, I was utterly and hopelessly confused. But since it was only me, I decided to continue because of all the praise that it had recieved. So, I continued and eventually finished the book, and it had not gotten better, but only worse. To put it simply, this book was more toward the 'down' side. Grimsley's lack of character description leaves a horrible fog in one's head. All I knew was that Roy was a scared 17/18 year old bisexual boy and is a part-time bus driver, who also happens to be Nathan and Evelyn's lover. And to put the character into an even more down-fall, I knew nothing of his features except that he had dark-brown hair. Now, Nathan. The only description was that he was raped... and raped. He had light brown hair and was shorter than Roy, who happens to be two years older than him. This young romance is an unclear romance, and this novel is probably one of the worst I have ever stumbled upon. My advice: If you have nothing better to do, and I mean 'bored out of your wits', then read this.
Rating:
Summary: Dear God, could it have made me cry harder?
Review: The novel has been criticized for its somewhat transcendental ending, but the fact remains that is, perhaps, one of the most beautifully damned love stories I have ever read. Being gay is a journey of discovery for most men because of the innate sense of conformity they feel for the straight world. Grimsley invokes the sense of discovery and illicitness and adds to it the charm of two boys who really do love each other. Inevitable pain and hardship ensue as one of them is tragically beaten to the brink of death, but much like fellow gay novelist Christopher Rice, his transcendental ending allows the reader to keep hope alive for the two boys. Grimsley is the master of hope (read Comfort and Joy, Boulevard, Winter Birds, My Drowning) springing from pain. The novel enlivened my senses as Grimsley described the scenery in as much detail as his characters (another Grimsley trait). His novels are so touching because of the personality that he even lends to the backdrop of the stories. I recommend this novel for anyone who has fallen in love. It does not seek to define love as perfection, but rather as the ravenous, quiet burn and the rapture one feels to just be around the person for whom he would die. A very memorable and celebrated read...
Rating: 
Summary: An enthralling tale, but could have been so much better.
Review: Seeking a break from Fantasy novels, I asked some friends and acquaintances for good reads, ideally dealing with gay characters and gay issues. Most of them said "read Dream Boy, you won't regret it!" So, curious, I bought this book. Having read this book, my feelings are a bit mixed. Jim Grimsley paints a vivid picture of the scenery. His use of present tense was a bit distracting at first, but after a while I began to appreciate the tone it sets. The beginning, and a good half of the book, is pretty typical. [...]P>After reading this book, there is no denying that Jim Grimsley has an extraordinary gift for writing. He needs, however, to plan his stories better. Dream Boy could have benefited from a less cliche beginning, a stronger middle, and a more conclusive and sensible end. Grimsley's poor planning severely hurts the book overall, but it is still very good for some light reading. I'd recommend it to someone looking for a short romp in the realm of well-written gay fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A "Dream" of a Classic!
Review: I have read this book for two book groups here in Chicago and the ending still generates a lot of debate. Author Jim Grimsley's "Dream Boy" is a modern classic novel about two teen-age boys, "Nathan" and "Roy," who find each other as other forces strive to rip them apart. Nathan holds a dark secret and looks to Roy for salvation, while Roy is slowly coming to terms of who he is. Also present is the bullish "Burke" who watches Nathan and Roy with an all-to-aware suspicious eye. Grimsley's writing style is so lyrical that at times you question if this is "reality" or a "ghostly dream." Grimsley brings themes of love, sex, religion and violence together with an explosive force. ( Having read some of Grimsley's other work "violence" is a frequent theme i.e. the ending and decision made by the central character Newell in Grimsley's "Boulevard.") Grimsley writing also gives the reader vivid, delicious description and detail of the North Carolina setting in this novel. "Dream Boy" is not to be missed! While so many gay themed novel fail to rise to the occasion, "Dream Boy" rises to new heights.
Rating: 
Summary: If you have nothing better to do....
Review: If you have nothing better to do then you might read this book. I'm the type of person who has to finish reading a book once I start, but it was hard since this story wasn't really interesting. I'm not going into the story or the characters, you can read the synopsis yourself...but I've already wasted too much time on this book.
Rating:
Summary: Hauntingly Romantic/ A Love never to be forgotten
Review: Jim Grimsley's tale of two teens discovering a beautiful world of truly being in love within the backdrop of an abusive, homophobic, and religious fanatical backwoods of North Carolina. The unforgettable story gives the most magical view of how being in love will overcome even the most impossible hurdles in life. Jim Grimsley masters the art of combining love, tragedy and eventually endless hope. A story that will haunt you for days and leave you in a trance of romance and a reason to believe that true love really is eternal. The most poetic and heart felt ending I have ever read. A thousand stars.
Rating:
Summary: 100 STARS
Review: This is by far one of the most amazing and powerful books I have read to date. Its captures the love store of two young country bois in an amazing voice of story telling. I have read every Jim Grimsley book, but 'dream boy' stands out as his amazing gift to readers. This is not just a book for young gay guys, but everone. My 17 year old sister loved this book almost as much as I did. I might have bought over 20 copies for friends and familey for birthdays and christmas. PLEASE....if you love to read and are a romantic buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book
Review: This is a book I will carry to the ends of the earth and reccomend to everyone I care about. Well-written and poignant, it satisfies every quality I look for in a book. Romantic, realistic, ethereal, suspenseful... the list goes on. Grimsley's best book.
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