The Notorious Dr. August : His Real Life and Crimes

Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: This is my first Bram novel and I must say I was very impressed. I will certainly read his past novels. The interesting characters as well as the the details of the period help to formulate a very unique historical read. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Glorious love song
Review: This is the fourth book by Bram I've read, and his writing is just getting better! I found the story utterly captivating and compelling. Beginning in the later years of the American Civil War through the 1920s, we follow the life of Augustus Boyd, a.k.a Dr August. He falls in love with an ex-slave named Isaac, eventually convincing him to make it an intimate relationship. August becomes an improvisational pianist, inspired by his "spirits", with Isaac as his manager. While on a voyage to Europe, Isaac is enraptured with a white governess, and breaks off the love affair with August to pursue Alice. Isaac & August remain friends & business partners as Isaac weds Alice, and the two have children. The love triangle is a strain on all, and it snaps finally in Constantinople, when Isaac meddles in August's new love affair with a teen. The outcome of a tragedy causes the destruction of the trio, and its reconfiguration into a strange new alliance, without one of its core members. Beautifully exploring issues of race, sexuality, class, sprituality, and the notion of love, "The Notorious Dr August" is a magnificent story including fully-fleshed characters and a delightful rendering of history. Bram rocks!