Where the Boys Are

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly captivating and entertaining
Review: This was the first book by William Mann that I had read and I was thoroughly impressed. The characters were complex and interesting and, from my limited knowledge, very true-to-life. Mann writes from a persepective that makes one believe that he has first-hand knowledge of the situations and character-types that he describes. I felt very comfortable with his characters and was truly interested in their experience and development. The character of Anthony was particularly engrossing and I would like to pursue his emotional journey in a follow-on novel.

Mann's writing style is easy to read and quickly moves his plot forward. Again, the reader gets the impression that Mann is very familiar with the locations that he describes. I could easily picture myself in P-town or Boston interacting with the characters. Maybe I am naive but I did not guess the mystery of Anthony in advance of the final expose.

I have read a limited number of "gay" novels and this one is by far the best of the lot. Even though the characters are sensual, Mann does not belabor their sexual encounters nor, thankfully, attempt to provide detail descriptions of sex. Too often gay writers attempt this with embarrassing results. I believe this is best left to the reader's imagination.

In sum, a highly recommended novel. I am eager for a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Mann is Back and Hotter Than Ever!
Review: Well, it is about time we are graced by Mann's latest novel and inspiring view into the gay life and times of Lloyd and Jeff (from the first novel: The Men From the Boys)! Ever since I finished his first novel (and thoroughly enjoyed the "realness" of his characters), I have ached to meet up with them again. This time his writing is more clever and even suspenseful (Eva scares me!) at times. It is a great formula of success: part romance, part mystery, part fun, lots of passion and very real and sexy!

Mann is not afraid to tackle some very dificult and controversial subjects, from grief to sex and drugs, barebacking and a very serious look at commitment, friendship and love. Throughout reading the book I was moved to tears, laughter and downright concern for my friends...in the book and in my own life. Mann has touched the pulse of current, pertinent issues for gay men, while touching the human heart in all of us.

Thank you for bringing back Jeff and Lloyd! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to any reader who wants to delve deep in the psyche and community of current day gay culture. His photo on the book jacket is as hot as the book! When will the next novel be out?

Rating:
Summary: All I have to say is.......
Review: What an excellent book!!! A great follow-up to "THE MEN FROM THE BOYS"!!

Rating:
Summary: You Gotta Have Friends
Review: While it helps to have read Mr. Mann's earlier novel, "The Men From the Boys," because the main characters carry over, this book stands on its own. Since the narrative progresses in chapters which are told in the first-person by several of the characters -- and this device really works well in telling the story -- this is one of those books you have a hard time putting down.

There is something compelling about each of the half dozen main characters that propels you forward to uncover the next revelation. Mr. Mann uses his keen insights into the gay culture to address important issues like how gay men grow and mature, and he incisively describes the difficulties in maintaining the kinds of communication necessary to nurture healthy relationships between partners and among friends. Sounds kinda heavy, and it is, but the several story lines going on provide a lot of juicy entertainment as well.

When I finished "The Men From the Boys," I wanted the story to go on so I could see if these guys could get their acts together. I got my wish with "Where the Boys Are," but I'm hoping there's a third act in the wings. The issues Mr. Mann raises warrant more of the kind of continuing dialogue on this that he's so great at delivering.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read all year!
Review: William J. Mann is a great writer and this novel is proof of that. If you only read one book this year, make it this one. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Nonfiction writer returns to fiction
Review: William J. Mann traverses fiction as comfortably as he does nonfiction. This time Mann focuses his reporter's eye on a culture determined to forget reality -- gay circuit party life. Mann's career has been versatile: Hollywood biographies, newspaper/magazine journalism, beach-blanket page-turners, and horror fiction. He keeps you guessing what will be next!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable sequel
Review: William J. Mann's sequel to the outstanding 'Men From The Boys'
is an enjoyable continuation into the lives of main on/off couple Jeff & Lloyd. We are introduced to new colorful characters (Windex toting Shane!)and reintroduced to old ones. Anthony's character brought a very interesting story to the mix. Not only because of his relationship with Jeff, but in bringing out the homophobia problem in this country. His story is painful and yet you still feel so much compassion for him. Mr. Mann writes the characters with real flaws and insecurities as well as showing their human strengths in overcoming their bad decisions/behavior. Or better yet, seeking help to find their strengths through their 'family' of friends. It was also great to bring a little of Javitz back. What a wonderfully written character that is sorely missed in this novel. But the rest of the boys do make for an interesting read. Mr. Mann makes us all (gay or straight)want to find that one deep true love that Jeff and Lloyd share.

Rating:
Summary: Our lives are all conncected
Review: William Mann's newest release WTBA is a fitting sequel to Men from the Boys. For all of us who were eagerly awaiting to find out what happened to Lloyd and Jeff since we last saw them at the end of the first book, we are not disappointed. Several years have passed and the author skillfully weaves a tale of friendships, love affairs, body image, sexual trysts, obsessions, delusions, broken hearts, new found affections, death, circuit parties, drugs, and most important of all, the all too human truth that the lives we create for ourselves are vitally linked to each other.
I would even venture to say that by placing this book in the "gay" section we are doing a disservice to the author, for it mirrors the emotions of life-no matter what your sexual preference.
Each chapter is told from a different viewpoint of the various characters. In this way the reader is treated to a multitude of perspectives and is able to identify, and in many cases sympathize with their feelings, even when they seem skewed !
For those who find fault that the "mystery" element is too obvious from early on, it is clearly done to show that often what is quite apparent to some can be totally oblivious to others, when emotions rule their brain. Or as Jerome Kern so quaintly put it, "when your heart's on fire, smoke gets in your eyes".
An enjoybable read which makes you rethink the way you look at your friends and partners.

Rating:
Summary: We Are Family?
Review: William Mann's premise in this novel is that gay people have our own families apart from biological ones, that we make our own rules up as we go and that we will make mistakes. Mr. Mann expounds on this by continuing the story he began in THE MEN FROM THE BOYS. Jeff and Lloyd have now lost their best friend Javitz to AIDS but must somehow continue without him. Mr. Mann introduces new prominent characters, Henry, Eva and Anthony as well as the subjects of circuit parties, drugs in the gay community, barebacking, new age jargon, gay bashing, internalized homophobia, "fag hags," male prostitution and what is described as "sacred sex workers." Yes, the chef emptied out the entire refrigerator to make this pot of soup.

For my money, the character Anthony works very well and is one of the best things about the story. Mr. Mann handles the mystery and intrigue surrounding his background very well. He is not so successful in the portrayals of Eva and Henry. Eva is so needy and manipulative as to be for the most part totally obnoxious. And I groaned when Henry became what he calls a sacred sex worker.

Also, Mann ties all the threads up too quickly in the end, I thought-- was he running out of pages? On the other hand, I've read dozens of gay novels that were neither as entertaining or well written as this one.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, A book I can relate to...
Review: Wow, I just finished Where the Boys Are and I have to say that it is a touching novel in so many ways. More than the plotline of the book, this is a story about relationships, love, friendships, and families. There are so many things within the story that I can relate to my own life. It's full of insightfulness to life and love, and makes the reader understand that relationships are complex, not cut neatly from the same cloth.

I took great comfort in the fact that I could see myself in many of the characters (except the psychotic Eva and all-too innocent Anthony). I think most readers will be able to relate to these characters. It's refreshing to read a novel where life is does not always go the way we want it to, that there are not always happy endings, building and staying in relationships can be a struggle, and that life is unpredictable...that we have to take what we get. As Lloyd says in the book..."If it's meant to be, it will happen."

I found the book both intriguing and comforting. It's one of those rare novels that I hated to see end because I loved being a part of these character's lives. It's also a book that I find I keep going back to and re-reading certain things because they touched my heart and soul. In so many ways, this book makes me realize that we all have struggles in life to combat, and that we have to face them and be strong...and maybe we'll come away a little wiser in the process.

Thanks for the great read. I'm sure I'll keep this book to re-read again in the future. I highly recommend it to anyone who's experienced any of the gay circuit culture. Finally, a realistic representation of a gay culture (and the fact that this is only a small part of these character's lives) that so many are quick criticize without understanding the positive side of finally belonging to a group/tribe.