Latter Days: A Novel by C. Jay Cox, T. Fabris
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.33 You Save: $5.62 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Latter Days: A Novel
Book Review: "What if he's really the one he's been waiting for his whole life?"
Summary: 4 Stars
LATTER DAYS at the first glance seems a little out of the ordinary and is almost unconvincing: a WeHo pretty boy with muscles like fully-baked puffy muffins living in a kitschy apartment falls in love with his Mormon missionary neighbor who is in the closet. Christian Markelli is the typical player of the loose-moral, carefree, long-term-relationship shunning bunch who enjoys quick pleasure. Working at a high-end restaurant which makes prey hunting handy, Christian literally has hooked up with every straight male customer and commemorates each steamy encounter with an entry in his PDA.
So when four young Mormon missionaries set us housekeeping in the apartment across the way, Christian and his friends place bets on how long it will take him to capitulate Elder Aaron Davis, the apple-cheeked, broad-shouldered evangelist who jolts his heart with love at first sight. Christian is stunned; he cannot make out of what it is that is so attractive about this young missionary. For Aaron the encounter evokes his repressed, closeted sensuality rooted in him. Aaron has nursed himself in the safety of the past, and in absolute obeisance to the ways of life the church has so diligently inculcated in him. He does not dare to reciprocate his affection to Christian for fear of harsh persecution from his colleagues.
Above the comic inserts and episodes surrounding the budding romance between the two hangs the significant ideas of self-discovery, revelation, love, for both Aaron and Christian. Aaron has negotiated with himself, and with God, the consequence of the sin of homosexuality but at the same time nudges closer to the tender thought of Christian, who has heartedly declared his love for him. Aaron's discomfit escalates at the thought of his encounters with Christian and throws him into a constant state of enhanced sensuality. Self-discovery of who he is, instead of what he has done, puts him on the mettle to come out to his family and act in defiance of the church's expectations. The strenuous journey to enlightenment affords pain, humiliation and guilt.
For Christian, he has never experienced such an indefinable madness for Aaron has stoically challenged and rebuked his shallow lifestyle. It prompts him to think about true intimacy, about getting to know the person to whom he wakes up in the morning. Christian's revelation is a glum one: that he has been fearful and inept to commitment and true intimacy. At the same time he feels utterly remorseful for getting Aaron into serious trouble with the church.
LATTER DAYS, though a sweeping romantic story it advertises to be, teaches us a lesson or two in relationship. It might have gone a little far with the miracle and the angel's singing but it's what fiction does after all. Neither Aaron nor Christian has ever felt the way he feels about anyone in his entire life - the snuggly feeling that "it's got to mean something." Yet they are both somewhat fearful to conform to this heart's calling. What if he is really the one he's been waiting for his whole life and he lets him go? In a world where everyone dances with one eye on the door, like we are all waiting for that next something better to walk in, LATTER DAYS calls us to be genuine with ourselves and promises the reward will be right around the corner.
Book Review: A breath of fresh air in modern gay literature!
Summary: 4 Stars
First of all, it is so commendable for the writer of Sweet Home Alabama to come out and write this gay film. It must have been a risky career choice, but I hope this movie (book) has proven that it was worth it.
Since the book is an adaption from the movie (i.e. from movie to book), one cannot expect beautiful sentences a la Michael Cunningham's A Home At The End Of The World. Nevertheless, the story is very sweet. It is definitely worth the read for those interested in exploring books in this genre. (For me, I was personally relieved to find a book with gay characters that does not merely involve drugs, clubs, and a plethora of one-night-stands)
My own interpretation of the story is that it is about finding love in the most unexpected situation. The best kind of romantic connection can be found between the most unlikely candidates, which is what made me cheering for Christian and Aaron all the way. If an erstwhile whorish party boy who is jaded about love and a mind-Freaked yet innocent Mormom missionary could find comfort and love in each other's arms, then it is possible for us all.
Without being a plot ruiner, I will just say that as corny as the plot sometimes seems to be, the characters are well developed. Major characters branch out into their own subplots to build more credibilities into the construction of their personalities. I am so glad finally there is a gay love story that has some dramatic substances other than the usual cheating-forgiving that has been made so blase by basically every other gay romantic book I have read.
I believe this book really is 3-star material. However, based on the fact that there rarely are gay books with "actual" characters and "real-life" plots, I am going to give this book a special "affirmative action" rating of a 4-star. (Not to mention the very commendable inclusion of African-American characters in the book, kudos to the writers! We don't live in Scandanavia, for crying out loud; this book shows the reality)
Buy it; support the writers! That is how more quality gay literature and films can come about! Remember what Martina Navartilova says of our dollars being assets in our campaign for equality, freedom, and visibility. Well, supporting well composed gay arts (movies and books) is as good a way to spend our dollars as any. I also recommend A Home At The End Of The World (Cunningham), and Dream Boy (Grimsley) within the genre.
Book Review: An Engaging Story
Summary: 4 Stars
I have read the book, but not seen the movie. Other reviews have indicated that it's mostly a print version of the movie, which I don't doubt(see below).It's a compelling story that's pretty well put together. There are some plot developments that are improbable, and in a couple of places the characters behave in ways that aren't readily believable, but are possible. There are some fairly heavy scenes, too; any book that can make me cry has definitely made an emotional impact.
I'm not entirely sure that someone who's straight would react the same way, though... I'm gay, and from a church that basically everyone considers to be fundamentalist (though not the Mormons). So some of the things that I thought were most moving might roll right by someone who doesn't have the same cultural background. I plan to give it to some straight friends (including one or two from church) to test my hypothesis. And, FWIW, I thought that what was in the book about how the Mormons go about setting up their mission teams and evangelizing was very interesting. Given that C. Jay Cox grew up in the church, I assume they're accurate. I'll definitely be more sympathetic the next time I see them out and about somewhere.
If the book itself has a failing, it's that it goes by very fast. There may be more character development than in the movie, but there's room for still more. To some degree, however, that can probably be said of any story. Oh, one other thing: if you haven't seen the movie, the trailer available on the film's Web site has a spoiler or two in it... that's relevant for either the movie or the book.
Book Review: The book "Latter Days" Helps to Understand Better the Film of the Same Title
Summary: 4 Stars
Others already have said much of what I would say (or not say, for that matter!) about this story. I wrote, in another Amazon user's review, what I in all humility think is a probing analysis of the film and of the reality of the religious and social milieu which it depicts, so I would direct those who consult Amazon to refer to it for more detail.
I wish mostly to point out how I appreciate the added dimension to character portrayal the book brings to the film. As one who spent time while growing up (for some years) as a L.D.S. Mormon, one from a family (on my mother's side) for several generations steeped in Mormonism, I appreciate the realism of Latter Days in portraying what the L.D.S. Mormon sect really is like, down to so many details. The book gives more profile especially to the secondary characters in this tale. The personality, background, world view, and ideals of the runtiest of the Mormon missionaries, Ryder, with whom Aaron works and comes into conflict, especially benefits from Cox' added detail and depth of portrayal. Ryder has his own aspirations and his own yearnings for love (in Ryder's case, heterosexual) to be reciprocated that go far in the book to make Ryder to be more than the shallow little conformist and (backed by his and Aaron's fellow missionaries) bully, too, that he rather too solely is in the film.
The film and the book really do cease the atmosphere and ethos of L.D.S. Mormonism realistically, for better as well as for worse. Get the book, see the film on DVD or when it comes back to a local theatre for another screening!
Book Review: Pretty good...for a romance novel, anyway.
Summary: 4 Stars
OK, so this is the book version of the drama film "Latter Days." I like having the book; with it, I can revisit the story of Aaron and Christian without having to turn on the DVD player. But I'm not really into romance novels, especially the more explicit ones. I tend to role my eyes and snort with disbelief at the more -- how shall I put it? -- sexual scenes. And yes, this book has its share of romantic stupidity. "Steaming abs"? Yah, is that even possible? Can abs steam? And what's with all the trite adjectives: "fabulous" and "wonderful"? Nothing more original? And why does the author have to TELL us what's going on? Can't he SHOW us, the way really good authors do?
With all that, this is a good book, and its especially appreciated by this fan of the movie. I advise you to watch the movie, if not buy the DVD, after or before reading the book. It's interesting to compare the two, especially since the book gives extra background on the characters.
Biggest inconsistency: In the movie, Christian's friend Julie is small -- petite, I'd say. But in the book they describe her as, to be circumspect, big on top. It's annoying. I know it's romance novel syndrome -- all the characters have to be perfect in as many ways as possible, and for Julie, that means a big cup. But as I said, it's inconsistent, and also annoying.