Christ-Like

Rating:
Summary: Viva Mikey!
Review: "Stoned, they would pick fights with anyone who looked at them the wrong way. They became absurdly unapproachable and devious by nature, kicking off their Saturday afternoons by mopping through the city. They shoplifted only the finest baggy oversized clothing, just for the very thrill of it."

This book is about a New York City Puerto Rican boy who is the victim of incest from the age of two. He grows up to become a prostitute, drug dealer, sex addict, thug, voodoo practioner and hopeless romantic. He lives in a violent night-world centered on New York's disused West Side piers, gathering place of gay and lesbian hispanic youth. Later, he becomes a star of the equally brutal gay nightclub scene.

His Catholicism is inseparable from his dark world, especially the haunting image of Christ, crucified. As is often the case in contemporary gay fiction he ultimately achieves redemption.

The strengths of the book make it well worth the read. The author
employs plain language and authentic, funny "Nuyorican" dialect to create a fast-moving, drama-filled narrative. The overall structure is neatly symetrical. Other nods to Homer include repetition of thematic episodes and frightening, pornographic violence. The affected disgust his characters feel for one another and the detailed trappings of their ulta-competetive lifestyle feel just right.

In the end, our hero Mikey succeeds because he cares less. His self-hatred makes him a champion in male world where universal disdain masks a desparate, childlike need for love. Simultaneously though his inner energy is drained and he finds himself teetering on the edge of death.

The sudden, trite ending is regretable. The author should have trusted us to identify Mikey's healthy romanticism in the text (he actually has several monogamous relationships). There's no need to shove redemption down our throats like a committee screenwriters adding a happy ending to "Lord of the Flies"! Xavier's poetic manifesto,"Pier Queen", does not suffer from such sentiment.

Its a great book though; new wine in classic old bottles. The settings and language are fresh and exciting. But the story of a ... journey to self-acceptance is as old as the gay blue hills.

I will never again pass the deserted church at 22nd(?) and 6th without feeling a stab to the heart for Mikey.

Rating:
Summary: Mikey X. rules!
Review: I met Mr. Xavier in San Francisco recently and was so impressed with him, I just had to pick up this book. I like him that much more. The novel is heartfelt. The writing is raw and imperfect, much like the title character, Mikey X. It serves the purpose of making the book jagged and real. His style reminds me of Piri Thomas and the story itself reminds me of Miguel Pinero. It is semi-autobiographical which keeps me wondering how much of it true. The dream sequences also left me curious. Yet, I'm really glad to have discovered Xavier's work and look forward to anything else he has to share.

Rating:
Summary: Mikey X. rules!
Review: I met Mr. Xavier in San Francisco recently and was so impressed with him, I just had to pick up this book. I like him that much more. The novel is heartfelt. The writing is raw and imperfect, much like the title character, Mikey X. It serves the purpose of making the book jagged and real. His style reminds me of Piri Thomas and the story itself reminds me of Miguel Pinero. It is semi-autobiographical which keeps me wondering how much of it true. The dream sequences also left me curious. Yet, I'm really glad to have discovered Xavier's work and look forward to anything else he has to share.

Rating:
Summary: A Diamond In The Ruff
Review: I wanted to like this book. I hoped to find an exciting new voice from the gay latino population. Heaven knows we need one... Sadly, Xavier isn't it, yet..... He is rather like an unschooled racehorse. There is a lot of talent and originality there - that is obvious - but he needs a decent editor to clean up his writing. I suspect he won't find the help he needs at a small publisher lacking decent editors. He needs to move to a bigger house, or he ought to consider going to one of the better writing programs - Iowa, for example - where under someone's wing his raw talent could be developed.

Rating:
Summary: Touched
Review: Manny--if u are reading this, you are an inspiration! Props to you for a work filled with realism and emotion, and also for having the confidence and vision to lift your life into its proper glory! I haven't seen you in a long time, but I am quite proud from a distance! Keep it up, boy!

Rating:
Summary: Off Da Hook!
Review: Ok so like if your any how Related to Any kinda scene than this book is for you. I was out of my seat laughing and screaming "TRUE" the whole time. I Honestly couldn't put it down till i was finished. This book got me Thinking and i came away With an even greater Love for that Club (scene) Life we live.

Rating:
Summary: Taking Gay Literature to the next level!
Review: POWERFUL is the way I sum up this book. E. Xavier has the ability to take a story and let you see life through the eyes of an innocent boy that has been thrown into inevitable turmoil. Fending for himself through life's unpredictable twists and turns, the journey of Mikey takes place, where fate had already been set since the day of his birth. This is a story that definitely cuts to the chase, and uncovers life's uneasy journey for gay, latino youths. Through the rough areas of New York, you are taken on a rollercoaster ride as Mikey sets out to find true love, as well as forced to deal with his past pains. This is definitely a book that accurately depicts the lifestyle that a gay latino is forced to deal with. Thank you for opening the doors to The House Of Xavier.

Rating:
Summary: Emanuel Xavier Delivers Again
Review: The first time I heard Emanuel Xavier read poetry from his collection, Pier Queen, I was instantly moved by his honesty, his imagery, and his ability to snap audiences into reality with grace and love and eloquence. Xavier is one of the few poets I know who has successfully moved across genres, continuing to produce impressive and meaningful work. Christ-Like is one such example. I truly hope it is one of many books by Xavier and look forward to reading anything he has to offer. He is truly a gem and the world could use more authors who write with such compassion and tell their stories not to attain fame or money or prestige but simply to speak for those who continue to be silenced, to write from a place of truth and hope and kindness, and to inspire other writers to do the same.

Rating:
Summary: disapointing
Review: this talent needs some deep editing. The story was engaging enough, but the writing itself is lacking. But that's the case with most spoken word artists. They sound good, but they speak empty words.

Painted Leaf has a habit of throwing out poorly edited crap as evidenced by this book and Besame Mucho. C'mon, Painted Leaf be a trend setter not an exploiter!

Rating:
Summary: "My God..."
Review: Those were the words I told my friend Omar, the friend who told me about this book. I read it, and it has been one of the BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ... I was trully amazed by it. I have never read something like it before. The detailing of it was so real-like.The characters were so amazing, the setting and everything in it, was trully breathtaking... After I read this book, I had to read it again because i felt in love with it, and I will recomend it to the world...