The Boy In The Book

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Summary: "The Boy In The Book" is a fascinating tale
Review: Rick Bradley is a thirty-something Seattle gay man, joyfully beginning his early retirement. Having started with Microsoft as a programmer right out of college, and essentially dedicating the next thirteen years to that company, foregoing any kind of social life to speak of, his stock options are allowing him to retire as a millionaire. In some ways, he is starting his life over again, this time with the luxury of doing what he really wants ... if he can just figure out what that might be.

Out for an evening walk, Rick happens across Jon Gable, a skinny 18 year old runaway, who tells him a story about an abusive father back home in a small town in Idaho. Although not attracted to the young man sexually, Rick finds himself somehow compelled to take him in, help him find a job, and start college classes. Along with Rick's best friend Jay, they take a road trip back to Jon's home to pick up the rest of his things, a trip that will change all of their lives from that point forward. En route, Rick and Jay discover a series of gay porn pulp novels, with cover illustrations that look exactly like Jon facially, with the character even having a similar name to Jon's. The boy claims to have no knowledge of how that may have happened, making Rick and Jay wonder if he might have some secrets he is keeping from them. In the end, MANY intriguing and unexpected twists are revealed, in this original and emotionally captivating second novel by the author, which essentially mourns the wasted life of a gay man nobody really knew. Fascinating, well-written story.