Someone Bought the House on the Island

Rating:
Summary: Promulgates a bad image of gays
Review: A teenager is seduced into gay sex by an older "sophisticated" man. Then he is encouraged to participate in drugs and orgies. An innocent gay is raped and commits sucide because he is gay. Every conceivable negative stereotype of gays and gay life finds its way into this novel. It is propaganda for the religious right, confirming their worst fears. There is nothing here of tenderness, of love, of reality. And this review will not be printed because Amazon (who wants to sell books) will not print a negartive review.

Rating:
Summary: Promulgates a bad image of gays
Review: A teenager is seduced into gay sex by an older "sophisticated" man. Then he is encouraged to participate in drugs and orgies. An innocent gay is raped and commits sucide because he is gay. Every conceivable negative stereotype of gays and gay life finds its way into this novel. It is propaganda for the religious right, confirming their worst fears. There is nothing here of tenderness, of love, of reality. And this review will not be printed because Amazon (who wants to sell books) will not print a negartive review.

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful, Sexy and Southern--What a Combination!
Review: Ken Anderson's novel fully delivers on what the "Barely Legal" short story excerpt promised. If you're looking for a well-written, can't-put-it-down gay page-turner, consider your search over. Here you'll find a sensuous older man-younger man romance complete with hot sensual lovemaking and details of growing up gay in a 1969 South by several characters. Much of the novel's setting is at a huge remote villa overlooking a vast forest-fringed lake. Mr. Anderson is quite adept at setting a mood whether it be the uncertainty about Vietnam facing draft-age males in 1969, a blazing fireplace with bone-chilling cold outside, the rampant 1960s drug use, an almost-drowning or the claustrophobic feel of being buried alive(I could almost literally feel the dirt coming down on me). While applauding Mr. Anderson's depiction of gay life(several worthwhile role models in the book!)in 1969 and taking into account the intelligence, awareness and world travelling of the gay characters, my only complaint is that no mention is made of the Stonewall Riots which predate the novel's opening by barely a month(and the novel's main action is the next 5 months)and which had such a huge impact on gay life. Aside from that one tiny gripe, my advice is buy this book, curl up under a warm quilt and read the night away.

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful, Sexy and Southern--What a Combination!
Review: Ken Anderson's novel fully delivers on what the "Barely Legal" short story excerpt promised. If you're looking for a well-written, can't-put-it-down gay page-turner, consider your search over. Here you'll find a sensuous older man-younger man romance complete with hot sensual lovemaking and details of growing up gay in a 1969 South by several characters. Much of the novel's setting is at a huge remote villa overlooking a vast forest-fringed lake. Mr. Anderson is quite adept at setting a mood whether it be the uncertainty about Vietnam facing draft-age males in 1969, a blazing fireplace with bone-chilling cold outside, the rampant 1960s drug use, an almost-drowning or the claustrophobic feel of being buried alive(I could almost literally feel the dirt coming down on me). While applauding Mr. Anderson's depiction of gay life(several worthwhile role models in the book!)in 1969 and taking into account the intelligence, awareness and world travelling of the gay characters, my only complaint is that no mention is made of the Stonewall Riots which predate the novel's opening by barely a month(and the novel's main action is the next 5 months)and which had such a huge impact on gay life. Aside from that one tiny gripe, my advice is buy this book, curl up under a warm quilt and read the night away.