Every Nine Seconds: A Queer as Folk Novel

Rating:
Summary: Great Read-and NOT so lousy on the facts
Review: Actually this book was a very enjoyable read. Easy to breeze through yet still a whole lot of fun. Great for a plane or train ride or on the beach since it is easy to pick up when distracted by something and face it, if you bought the book you already KNOW the characters

Glad to see most others are enjoying it, and though Terran did enjoy, listed some factual discrepencies...not so fast:

1) The shell bracelet...the whole situation is way too vague to be called inaccurate. True it seems like a discrepency, but doesn't also make sense that Brian would balk at wanting to appear (or let it be known) that he is soooo sentimental about the Michael bracelet...I mean he doesn't come across as one who likes to air his feelings.

2) The absence of Lindsay: Easy to explain...this book takes place during the last few weeks before graduation...we were never told that Brian dated Lindsay ALL through high school. And once again, we have seen so many times when Brian breaks up with someone, they are gone (unless they are stalkerish like Justin was at first)

3) Baby Justin and Teddy "Gus" - Go back and watch your DVDs of Season 1 - Ep 1 - JUSTIN SUGGESTED THE NAME OF GUS TO LINDSAY AND MEL.

Rating:
Summary: Eye-rolling moments, but a fun read!
Review: As a fan of the original QAF (UK), I was instantly drawn to the US interpetation. While many of the characters over the course of 3 seasons have become stagnant or predictable, one thing still holds true: the relationship between lead character's Brian and Michael and their bond. Their UK counterparts definately had fire, a special dynamic. At times, the US version of Stuart (Brian) and Vince (Michael) have been pushed to the backburner for a more predictable, romanticized and unrealisitic version of gay relations (that being the heavy integration of the Brian and Justin pairing). Happily though, the book stays true to the bond between these best friends. Taking us back to the eve of Brian's 18th birthday, both leads are written a bit to the extreme. Michael's "child like" demeanor and Brian's shameless "rogue" are slightly over the top but still understandable for those who watch the show. The need Brian and Michael have for each other on the show, translates well in this story. While Brian's insatiable sexual labido is prominently displayed, it does at times go a bit far. I am no prude, but relationship dynamics tend to be far more interesting outside the bedroom (or in this case, the top of a desk). With a delicious tease into mutual sexual and emotional desire both characters have shared on the program, I would have enjoyed more of those moments and less of Brian having sex with a teacher or school peer. Quite a few moments do contradict with what has happened on the show. Example being the origin of Brian's shell bracelet. I found the books explination far more believeable than the weak plot delivered on the show. Running into a 6 year old Justin was cringe worthy moment. Thinking of a child, sitting on a liquor store floor on a Friday night is a really pathetic plot device to feed the fantasy a bit more for some of the shows faithful. Silly and not necassary since the Brian and Michael relationship can easily stand on it's own. All and all, enjoyable to take a look back. Wish continuity wasn't such an issue and would have loved more intimacy between Brian and Michael. It's a special dynamic. But, the peek into their past, their homelife, the school year is fun. Wish that unique bond and tease would be brought back to the forefront on the show.

Rating:
Summary: Brian & Mikey - The Beginning of Their Journey
Review: Being a tremendous QAF fan I was entralled with the series from the start and still am. This book answered so many questions about how Brian & Michael forged such a strong bond and still have that bond. Like the shell bracelet Brian always wears that doesn't seem to go with his designer clothing. It explains the easy and loving relationship of Debbie & Michael. It explains the Kinney family and maybe why Brian is the way he is. As far as the liquor store and the teddy bear...that all becomes clear in Season 1. Just a great and easy read. Like coming home to family and people that you love. I have grown to love these characters and the actors that play them and look forward to each new episode. For any QAF fan it is a book worth reading. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Review: Boring! Man, was this book bad. And who's asleep at the switch when it comes to continuity? In the book, we're told that Brian's seashell bracelet is a gift from Michael. Yet two weeks ago on the show we're told by Justin that Brian bought the bracelet in Mexico. Which is it? Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. I'll pass on the next novel.

Rating:
Summary: boring storytelling
Review: Could the novel get anymore trite? After the great writing on the show, I expected a little more than a middle school romance novel. And could the characters be any more one dimensional? Brian is the cool soccer dude who no one can believe is a fag yet he hits on guys all the time? Hmmm. And the sex scene with his soccer coach? How unnecessary. It's like one minute it's a young (and I do mean young) adult novel and then it's soft core porn. And Michael couldn't be more pathetic...at least on the show he has balls every now and then. He just appeared clueless throughout the novel. Too clueless for a gay boy in high school--that's for sure. Gee let's play a prank at the high school graduation...Gee wonder what Brian is going to do...Gee how more lame can I get?

Rating:
Summary: Every Nine Seconds
Review: Every Nine Seconds is the first in a new series of novels that serves as a prequel to one of my favorite television series, Queer as Folk. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the show, it's the story of a group of gay friends and their day to day lives.

This novel focuses on two of the main characters, Brian Kinney and Michael Novotny. The story opens on the eve of Brian Kinney's eighteenth birthday. Conveniently enough, on the Friday night that Brian turns 18, a new club called Babylon opens on Liberty Avenue. Pittsburg will never be the same again.

The novel was good, the storytelling was fast paced and didn't stop for anything. I never found myself bored and wishing that I could skip over a section of the book. The intimate scenes are definately [explicit], but aren't tastless and are absolutely necessary to make the story work.

If the book had been sold without the QAF title it would have been perfect; it failed to capture the spirit of the show and sometime the character went against their television established natures for the purpose of something that the author wanted to include. One example is Brian Kinney showing uncharacteristic kindness to a six year old that is revealed to be Justin. Tell the story, but leave the unnecessary stuff out of it. The story also introduced a continuity error involving the origin Brian's seashell bracelet.

Pick this book up if you're looking for a fast paced read that will leave you wanting more. Don't pick it up if you can't accept something that isn't 100% accurate to the series that shares it's name.

Rating:
Summary: never read the book but I have to clear somethings up
Review: First of all Brian and Lindsay dated in COLLEGE not high school Jack met here in college Lindsay and Brian have said that a ton of times on the show and I hate to say this but I have too the Fact that the author steals Last Dance from Brian and Justin actually made me not buy this book besides if I want fanfic I can go to Randall Morgan for it.

Rating:
Summary: Easy read, but well worth it
Review: I finished this book in one day, but I can read it again and again so it was definately worth my money. I would have loved to give it a 5 star rating, but the book finished and I just wanted it to go on and on and on and on!

I found it, on the whole, true to the show, although as other reviewers have pointed out, there are a couple of details that don't marry up. I don't know, however, if the book was written before or after these "facts" were revealed on the show, so will pass no judgement. Anyway, it only matters if you are a fan of the show. If you haven't seen it or are reading the book for the books sake, it is wonderful.

It tells of Michael and Brians early friendship and how they became the people that we know and love. The reader rides the waves of emotion, of exploration and of the whole "new world". I'm a big sentimental softie so I loved every minute of the book. I even loved the part about Justin - it made me think.

Another reviewer bemoaned the fact that we were left hanging about Vic and his "secret". HELLO! Why tell all the secrets in one book? We cannot expect information when we want it. After all it never works out that way in real life. To put that persons mind at rest, we find out Michaels reaction in book 2.

If you're a fan of the series, you'll love it! If you've never seen the show, you'll love it! It's a good fun read. I've read this one and the second book. Bring on the third!!

Rating:
Summary: GREAT WAY TO LEARN THE STORIES BEHIND THE CHARACTERS
Review: I have to admit this book was one the best reads I have read in a long time! I could not put it down! Being a big fan of the show itself, it is nice to get some history on the characters. The book does seem juvenile at times, but I just thought back on my times at the age which were juvenile! Like I said earlier it is nice to get the history on the characters as we see them mature in the gay adults we see on the series! Micheal and Brian just have this great friendship that I wish I would have had at that age and a mother like Debbie! That, I believe, is every gay person's dream! This book is a must have and I recommend it to everyone!

Rating:
Summary: It's great if you're a big fan
Review: I just bought this book yesterday, so I am only a few chapters into it. The book is such "easy reading" that I'm almost embarrassed that I own it. It is pretty clear to me that it was not written for a highly literate population. However, it's a great story if you're a "Queer as Folk" fan such as myself. It tells the background story of Michael and Brian and answers some of the show's subtle plot questions. It's a definite must-read for fans of the show.