Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: In one word - boring. I stuck with this book and found the outcome uninteresting.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful writing
Review: It's hard to describe what this book has made me feel. Like others, I was tremendously moved. I wanted to know more about him, and I was taken by surprise when a web-search came up with a link titled "Grave of Paul Monette". I hope many, many others discover this beautiful and empathetic treasure - gay & straight. For my part, I plan not to forget the fight this "Gay Brother" put up on behalf of himself, and future generations.
Rating:
Summary: Moving, courageous, honest
Review: Like a previous reader, I read an older version of Monette's 'Borrowed Time' and hoped I might one day meet this wonderful man; it wasn't until I saw nfalzone's review here before reading 'Becoming a Man' that I realised Monette has since died. I also cried; Paul Monette really touched something in me and I can only hope that many, many more people will read this book, though I fear he is somewhat preaching to the converted. For those of us with gay family members it is a real eye opener, though I don't know that many parents would be able to handle this book. His story will drag you through so many emotions, not least anger; may Paul Monette rest in peace and may he be an example to us all to speak out, with open hearts and minds.
Rating: 
Summary: A fine autobiography
Review: Monette says he has a goal when he begins this book. He wants to tell a story that hasn't yet been told, one he wish he could have read when he was younger. He doesn't think the thing will be perfect, but he wants to start so the men after him will have something upon which to build.I think he fulfills this goal admirably. The book isn't perfect - I found myself at times cringing as this man who says he only wants to be loved fires off extremely hurtful, insensitive and bigoted comments towards men and women of faith, especially Roman Catholics. He admits his prejudice, though, and that's kind of the point of what makes this book flawed but good. It is less artful than it is honest. No matter what his background, any gay man who reads this will probably feel some passages have been plucked from his own interior monologue. So in that way the book is less a piece of art than it is a gift of understanding. His circumstances were about as harsh as they can get. Perhaps if we can read this, straight or not, we can learn from the mistakes of the past and reach the next iteration - where straights don't have to be closed minded bigots and gays don't have to become closed minded bigots in reaction.
Rating:
Summary: Monette's story is an enlightening, sad and witty account.
Review: Monette's autobiography--my first experience with gay literature--has enlightened me and sparked compassion.. His is a story of frustration, self-hate, and lonliness, written in an elegant prose that begs to be read aloud. And I did. But the story isn't depressing; Monette's wit and unpretentious narration is a joy to read. His expicit descriptions, although few, serve to shock the reader into facing the reality of gay discrimination and homophobia.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate coming out book: Like a mirror in front of you
Review: More than anything else, this book is just written so well: Paul Monette's story of growing up and coming out does so well in conveying the feelings of life in the closet and on the way out. I would recommend it to anyone interested in reading a good book, but mostly to those who have to come out to themselves and then to every one else: this book may very well be the mirror pur in front of you. Together with Monetter's Borrowed Time, Becoming a Man is one of the most important autobiographies of our timee.
Rating:
Summary: A truly beautiful book.
Review: My best friend in life gave me this book to read because, he said, "It Changed my life". So because I loved him, (and ultimately lost him to the plague we call AIDS). I read it and it helped me understand how difficult it is to be gay and how our society, (even into the nineties) forces people to hide from themselves and live lives that are lies and how filled with rage they have every right to be. Paul Monette died of AID's last year. I know he has been reunited with his lover and, oh, how I hope he has met my beautiful friend Glenn. I thank Paul for helping me understand.
Rating:
Summary: extremely moving portrait
Review: Regardless of your sexual orientation, this book presents a fascinating portrait of the experiences men go through in childhood and the difficulty in learning how to become initimate with anyone else. You may have more in common with this author than you would at first expect. Bonus: It has a reasonably happy ending.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous
Review: The best book I have EVER read. What more can I say.....
Rating:
Summary: An amazing journey into discovering one's sexuality.
Review: The book - ON Becoming A Man: Half A Life Story is a wonderful, honest, journey into a man accepting and discovering his sexuality. He learns that the heart and his penis can both be involved in the same pursuit. More than that, he learns how to accept himself - warts and all. The book is funny. The book is touching. The book will make you cry. I have loaned this work to several friends. It is one of my favorite works. Just as one can use a telescope to examine the heavens, Monet uses this journal to explore his own path to accepting his homosexuality humaness and perhaps if others read it, the journey into becoming whom we really are, we be made easier.
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