Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Love Story
Review: A good easy read about growing up in and falling in love in rural New Mexico. The characters are complex, interesting, and easy to relate to.
Rating:
Summary: A Story for Adults as well as Teens
Review: A hundred people will find 100 different things when they read the same book, and that's the case with "Common Sons." Some see it as a coming-out book. That's true, but it features a mature relationship. Some say this book's a love story; that's true too, but it's also a humane and affecting commentary on the often negative role of religion in people's lives. Joel, the protagonist, has developed his own set of values and beliefs that go beyond a narrow code. Most people find this book well-written; at times it is, but it drags badly in the middle, as I lost all patience with Tom. When he gets his act together, the book takes off again and soars higher than before, with a reflective scene at a funeral that's plain writerly art. To me, what makes this book a must-have is the character of Joel, one of the most original and charismatic figures ever to appear in Gay literature. This young man is sturdy, physical, masculine (though he cries easily), determined, responsible, self-confident and full of love. Where else can you find such a quiet hero, but on a farm near the mountains in New Mexico, in "Common Sons"? He's unforgettable, a whole new kind of desert star.
Rating:
Summary: A Story for Adults as well as Teens
Review: A hundred people will find 100 different things when they read the same book, and that's the case with "Common Sons." Some see it as a coming-out book. That's true, but it features a mature relationship. Some say this book's a love story; that's true too, but it's also a humane and affecting commentary on the often negative role of religion in people's lives. Joel, the protagonist, has developed his own set of values and beliefs that go beyond a narrow code. Most people find this book well-written; at times it is, but it drags badly in the middle, as I lost all patience with Tom. When he gets his act together, the book takes off again and soars higher than before, with a reflective scene at a funeral that's plain writerly art. To me, what makes this book a must-have is the character of Joel, one of the most original and charismatic figures ever to appear in Gay literature. This young man is sturdy, physical, masculine (though he cries easily), determined, responsible, self-confident and full of love. Where else can you find such a quiet hero, but on a farm near the mountains in New Mexico, in "Common Sons"? He's unforgettable, a whole new kind of desert star.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing effort
Review: After reading the glowing reviews here, and poking around Donaghe's website, I decided to buy this book--hoping I'd like it enough to read the follow up novels.
Unfortunately, I found this book almost a chore to get through. Donaghe certainly means well, and I could see why people could be drawn to this world where 2 beautiful male high school students in the mid-60's fall in love and start a life together. But I never felt anything much for the characters and the plot was (to me at least) so unbelievable, and the dialogue so unrealistic, that the story never really captured me.
Rating:
Summary: Sappy Stuff for High School Sophomores!
Review: Be forewarned. The reviews of this writer's books are effusively generous with their praise - suspiciously and undeservedly so, in my opinion. This book would probably appeal to someone in the 13- to 15-year-old age range (like "Uncle Sean," "Lance, and "The Blind Season"). It is not for adults. It is not for those who enjoy good reading. It is poorly written, repetitive, and unsatisfying. The characters are sappy and emotional - they cry a lot. While the situations and themes created for them are serious (child abuse, bigotry towards gays, commitment in relations), the solutions are sensational, melodramatic, and ultimately unrealistic. Of the 4 books referred to, I will concede that this is probably the best of the lot -- and it would be of some interest to gay high school boys.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read - takes you on a roller coaster of emotions!
Review: Common Sons by Ronald Donaghe is an awesome novel that allows you to look back in your life when you could identify with the characters. Joel Reece is a star boxer at the high school, he gets along well with his parents and is a farmer. Tom Allen, a son of a minister, is the epitome of obedience to his father and God, and quite the scholar. What do these two young men have in common? They are both gay and in love - with each other. The way Mr. Donaghe weaves the plot between the two boys and the people of Common is magical. You will laugh, you will cry and you will get angry. This is how life is, the author pulls no punches in this novel. The best news yet is the fact that there is a sequel! Thank you for an awesome book, Ronald L. Donaghe!
Rating:
Summary: A NOVEL WORTH READING
Review: Common Sons is a mirror into the souls of two gay teenagers. Although I don't consider myself gay, I appreciated Ron Donaghe for giving me an insight that I would not have found elsewhere. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book even more the second time!
Review: Common Sons is the first novel in the remarkable Common Threads in the Life series by accomplished author Ronald L. Donaghe. It takes place on the Reece farm in the middle of a New Mexican desert, near the Florida Mountains in a small town called Common. Joel Reece is a courageous seventeen year old who is not afraid to fight for what he believes. Joel discovers the name for what he is and learns first hand about hatred and discrimination. Homosexuality was believed to be "a neurotic distortion of the total personality..." by ignorant psychiatrists at that time. Rather than deny his true nature and try to make it disappear, the admirable young man stands proud in 1965 when the social climate for gays was far less tolerant.
Joel, far from being neurotic and certainly not fitting any of the stereotypical characteristics of the "gay" male, is a farmer's son aspiring to follow in his father's footsteps. He falls in love with Tom Allen, a preacher's boy, after the unlikely pair became close friends and share an unplanned public kiss. Rumors that Joel and Tom are queer begin to destroy the boys' reputations.
All we know about Joel at the beginning of Common Sons is, "Joel woke up disturbed." Donaghe captures the reader's attention immediately with the four-word paragraph, and holds the reader's interest for 376 pages. It doesn't take long to find out what makes Joel tick. The calm and steadfast young man is not only smart beyond his years, but he knows exactly what he wants; he wants Tom in his life-forever.
Tom, a year ahead of Joel in school, has just graduated. His father has already picked out a college for him to attend, since the strict preacher doesn't allow his son to participate in any decision making-not even concerning his own future. Tom and Joel meet after Mr. Allen takes the job as preacher for the fundamentalist Church of Christ in Common. Tom, believing in his church's teachings, lives in fear of his father's wrath. Tom is aware of his homosexuality. "...drumming in his head were passages from the Bible he knew by heart," ""Sins of the flesh," "reprobate mind," "unnatural lusts."" He fights long and hard to change, but after he meets and falls in love with Joel, he begins to question his father, the Bible, and his own self-loathing. Joel teaches him the true meaning of love, self-respect, and friendship.
Once the boys decide that they want to be together, they have to fight Mr. and Mrs. Allen, who cannot accept Tom's homosexuality. They refuse to have any further dealings with him unless he repents for his "hideous" sins. Luckily, Joel's parents are nothing like Tom's parents. Even though the Reeces are not that happy about the situation, they have an open mind and wouldn't consider disowning their son.
Douglas Reece, Joel's father, is one of my favorite characters. He is a strong man with high standards, morals, and through his fine example, he teaches Joel to respect himself. Douglas does not allow the church's unyielding doctrines to guide his beliefs. One memorable lesson that Douglas teaches Joel is, "Never show disrespect to people, son, and you won't do anything to be ashamed of. If you want something from somebody, and they aren't willing to part with it, that's their decision and your tough luck." Douglas is respected in his community and does not allow prejudice to stand in the way of how he feels about his son. Unlike the Allens, the Reeces hold their heads high in the face of adversity.
Joel and Tom are also up against Kenneth Stroud (notice how his name rhymes with shroud) the town's bad boy who has had it in for Joel since they were kids. Kenneth comes from a poor family with an alcoholic, wife-beating father, who feels the world ought to pay for his bad luck. He and another villain, Paul Romaine, one of the church's disciples, set out to publicly humiliate and destroy Joel and Tom.
Ronald L. Donaghe develops his characters so well that you either want to be Joel or you
want to meet him. Joel and Tom are excellent role models of a committed, faithful, and loving couple who should be envied, not despised. What I love most about Common Sons, and the sequels The Blind Season and The Salvation Mongers, is the author's ability to get inside the characters' heads so completely. Donaghe even humanizes the villains, which makes their evil deeds all the more horrible. Along with character development, picturesque descriptions of the New Mexican landscape, and depictions of the rampant homophobia that existed at the time, Donaghe also manages to teach many lessons of tolerance. Common Sons is a wonderful journey of two boys' lives, and the reader feels privileged to share it with them. Donaghe's style, honesty, and wit make his books, both fiction and non-fiction, very hard to put down. Common Sons is a five plus star novel that you will want to keep, recommend to others, and read again.
Rating:
Summary: TALK ABOUT SURPRISED!
Review: Common Sons is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite novels. The story transcends time, culture or sexual orientation. It's about two people who find love and the courage to share it, no matter the obstacles or challenges society may bring upon them. Common Sons also presents a uniquely refreshing perspective as being a "nice" book with a good message that is accessible to all readers. Its characters are normal people from a small town, showing that not every gay person has to live in a downtown metropolis or hop from one club to the next. Joel and Tom are a benchmark for the kind of human beings we should all strive to be. Ron Donaghe is to be commended for offering such a wonderful story to the world. If you order no other book today, order this one. --Andrew Barriger, author of Finding Faith.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: Common Sons is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite novels. The story transcends time, culture or sexual orientation. It's about two people who find love and the courage to share it, no matter the obstacles or challenges society may bring upon them. Common Sons also presents a uniquely refreshing perspective as being a "nice" book with a good message that is accessible to all readers. Its characters are normal people from a small town, showing that not every gay person has to live in a downtown metropolis or hop from one club to the next. Joel and Tom are a benchmark for the kind of human beings we should all strive to be. Ron Donaghe is to be commended for offering such a wonderful story to the world. If you order no other book today, order this one. --Andrew Barriger, author of Finding Faith.
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