Sorry, but had so many things to do before going back to work on Monday (like grading) that I was not able to rant and rave about anything...
Rant: Why is it that some book jackets refrain from telling you when the love story or romance of the novel is based on a gay relationship? There is an audience for that kind of love story, including many teens and adults, but it is not for everyone. When I pick up a book, I want Edward and Bella, or any other passionate relationship between a boy and a girl. I'm not saying that I do not read books with gay characters because I have and I do, such as Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron (which is a very well written and engaging, by the way). And yes the homosexual life experience is a relevant topic to explore through literature and writing and novels, but let me ask you this...do people who are involved in gay relatonships prefer stories with homesexual romance or heterosexual romance?
One of the books I checked out for the Christmas holidays was Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby. The book description on the jacket leaves the impression that there will be a romantic connection between a boy and girl both involved in horse training and riding. But that is not the case. I did finish reading it but felt let down because it was not what I expected. The book jacket needs to give some kind of indication as to which people will be involved in any romantic connection. Also indicating the relationship will be between two boys or two girls will not keep the book from being read by a wide audience. Actually, by doing that the book will fall into the right audience and gain a good following without having to conceal any plot elements.
Here is summary...what do you think?
For Alex Ford, dressage is an oasis. In the stable, he can slip into his riding pants, shed the macho cowboy image, and feel like himself for a change.
For Cleo O'Shea, dressage is a fresh start. She's got a new boarding school, absentee parents, and, best of all, no one to remember her past. . . .
They're an unlikely pair. Cleo's looking for love, but Alex has a secret he's not ready to give up, and a flirtation with Cleo is the last thing on his mind. But you can't find romance before you know real friendship, and sometimes the last person you'd ever think of as a friend ends up being the one you need the most.
Susan Juby's trademark humor brings life and laughter to this remarkable story of relationships, mixed signals, and the soul-searching that sometimes takes two.
Rave: Ok. This is totally not book related...Let's give it up for the Cowboys! Woot! Woot! I've got my Witten jersey on today (#82 for all you non-Cowboy/NFL fans). It just seemed like they were never going to regain the glory days of the 90's and the Triplets (Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmit Smith). And I was getting of tired of Tony Romo's pretty boy persona and their inability to get in the playoffs! But we are in and Romo is finally getting into gear.
Rave 2: Have you watched The Changeling with Angelina Jolie? Wow is all I can say. It was one of those movies you can't stop watching because there are so many plot twists and unexpected turns and it is all based on a true events. I stayed up until about 2 AM one recent evening even though I was so sleepy. It takes place during during the 1920s and 30's and initially paints a picture of an idyllic period in history--a time when everything seemed safe. And then the unthinkable happens--a parent's worse nightmare, police corruption against civilians and women, horrific crimes, and graphic images of mental asylums and death row. And through all this, Angelina Jolie delivers a stellar performance...her acting was amazing, changing from a woman who is demure because of a male dominated society to a woman who challenges the status quo and stands up to the entire LAPD. The costuming, the set pieces, the cinematography...all of it is authentic and relevant to the drama that unfolds. And the title? Well, in fairy folklore, a changeling is a fairy who is left in place of a human child...an imposter. Hmmm...I will let you make the connection when you watch the movie.
Rant: Why is it that some book jackets refrain from telling you when the love story or romance of the novel is based on a gay relationship? There is an audience for that kind of love story, including many teens and adults, but it is not for everyone. When I pick up a book, I want Edward and Bella, or any other passionate relationship between a boy and a girl. I'm not saying that I do not read books with gay characters because I have and I do, such as Someday This Pain Will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron (which is a very well written and engaging, by the way). And yes the homosexual life experience is a relevant topic to explore through literature and writing and novels, but let me ask you this...do people who are involved in gay relatonships prefer stories with homesexual romance or heterosexual romance?
One of the books I checked out for the Christmas holidays was Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby. The book description on the jacket leaves the impression that there will be a romantic connection between a boy and girl both involved in horse training and riding. But that is not the case. I did finish reading it but felt let down because it was not what I expected. The book jacket needs to give some kind of indication as to which people will be involved in any romantic connection. Also indicating the relationship will be between two boys or two girls will not keep the book from being read by a wide audience. Actually, by doing that the book will fall into the right audience and gain a good following without having to conceal any plot elements.
Here is summary...what do you think?
For Alex Ford, dressage is an oasis. In the stable, he can slip into his riding pants, shed the macho cowboy image, and feel like himself for a change.
For Cleo O'Shea, dressage is a fresh start. She's got a new boarding school, absentee parents, and, best of all, no one to remember her past. . . .
They're an unlikely pair. Cleo's looking for love, but Alex has a secret he's not ready to give up, and a flirtation with Cleo is the last thing on his mind. But you can't find romance before you know real friendship, and sometimes the last person you'd ever think of as a friend ends up being the one you need the most.
Susan Juby's trademark humor brings life and laughter to this remarkable story of relationships, mixed signals, and the soul-searching that sometimes takes two.
Rave: Ok. This is totally not book related...Let's give it up for the Cowboys! Woot! Woot! I've got my Witten jersey on today (#82 for all you non-Cowboy/NFL fans). It just seemed like they were never going to regain the glory days of the 90's and the Triplets (Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmit Smith). And I was getting of tired of Tony Romo's pretty boy persona and their inability to get in the playoffs! But we are in and Romo is finally getting into gear.
Rave 2: Have you watched The Changeling with Angelina Jolie? Wow is all I can say. It was one of those movies you can't stop watching because there are so many plot twists and unexpected turns and it is all based on a true events. I stayed up until about 2 AM one recent evening even though I was so sleepy. It takes place during during the 1920s and 30's and initially paints a picture of an idyllic period in history--a time when everything seemed safe. And then the unthinkable happens--a parent's worse nightmare, police corruption against civilians and women, horrific crimes, and graphic images of mental asylums and death row. And through all this, Angelina Jolie delivers a stellar performance...her acting was amazing, changing from a woman who is demure because of a male dominated society to a woman who challenges the status quo and stands up to the entire LAPD. The costuming, the set pieces, the cinematography...all of it is authentic and relevant to the drama that unfolds. And the title? Well, in fairy folklore, a changeling is a fairy who is left in place of a human child...an imposter. Hmmm...I will let you make the connection when you watch the movie.
2 comments:
I'm sorry you had this experience with a book. I was also thinking it sounded like a book that I would like to read, until I read your review. Thanks for saving me. If you're looking for a boy/girl romance that is sort of cowboy-ish (but has homosexual characters - just not the main ones), try The Arizona Kid. It's a tad...racy(?) though.
Thanks so much...will try and read it soon!
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