Whistling in the Dark (Audible Audio Edition) Tamara Allen Meral Mathews Lethe Press Books
Download As PDF : Whistling in the Dark (Audible Audio Edition) Tamara Allen Meral Mathews Lethe Press Books
New York City, 1919. His career as a concert pianist ended by a war injury, Sutton Albright returns to college, only to be expelled after a scandalous affair with a teacher. Unable to face his family, Sutton heads to Manhattan with no plans and little money in his pocket, but with a desire to call his life his own.
Jack Bailey lost his parents to influenza and now hopes to save the family novelty shop by advertising on the radio, a medium barely more than a novelty, itself. His nights are spent in a careless and debauched romp through the gayer sections of Manhattan.
When these two men cross paths, despite a world of differences separating them, their attraction cannot be denied. Sutton finds himself drawn to the piano, playing for Jack. But can his music heal them both, or will sudden prosperity jeopardize their chance at love?
Whistling in the Dark (Audible Audio Edition) Tamara Allen Meral Mathews Lethe Press Books
This isn't just a novel, it's an experience. Fun, intense, and most of all heart-felt. When I finished it, I sat there letting the emotions wash over me and through me. It's clear the author poured her heart into this book, which tells the story of two 22 year old soldiers back from WW I - Jack, a buoyant, fast talking tough guy secretly suffering from PTSD, and Sutton, an earnest, sincere musician from Kansas whose war injury has left him unable to play. Tamara Allen's words paint a vivid, memorable picture of post-war New York City, and her supporting cast of characters, including a wayward crocodile, may very well feel like family by the time you've finished the book. I laughed out loud, gasped, and read with tears in my eyes for pages and pages. This novel is a wonderful gift, and I'm so very happy - and a little emotionally wrung out - to have read it.Product details
|
Tags : Amazon.com: Whistling in the Dark (Audible Audio Edition): Tamara Allen, Meral Mathews, Lethe Press: Books, ,Tamara Allen, Meral Mathews, Lethe Press,Whistling in the Dark,Lethe Press,B00MQ6VI0W
People also read other books :
- The Outcast The Empire Corps Book 5 eBook Christopher Nuttall
- Sir Nigel edition by Arthur Conan Doyle Romance eBooks
- Maldito Destino Spanish Edition Chema de Aquino 9781520412610 Books
- She Belongs to Me A Southern RomanticSuspense Novel (Audible Audio Edition) Carmen DeSousa Natalie Duke Carmen DeSousa Books Books
- In Times Like These A Time Travel Adventure eBook Nathan Van Coops
Whistling in the Dark (Audible Audio Edition) Tamara Allen Meral Mathews Lethe Press Books Reviews
This story is a slow-building romance which takes place in the wake of World War I in New York City, around the Bowery and in other haunts where the newly emerging avant-garde crowd are likely to haunt. It has a host of wonderful (and some terrible) characters, headed by Sutton and Jack, and rounded out by people (and a pet crocodile) who get into your heart and mind over time and stay there.
Having grown up in New York City following World War II, I remember reading about and discovering for myself all the discreet aspects of under-cover gay life that are described here, and certainly all the wonderful enthusiasm that must have come along when radio suddenly emerged as an entertainment alternative.
But most of all, I loved Sutton and Jack, their courtship, their love life, their split ups, their make-ups, their deep and abiding faith in each other. No hot and heavy sex here--like radio itself, you will have to imagine what goes on behind the sounds coming through. Wonderful, relaxing, beautifully written.
This is the second book by Tamara Allen that I have read. The first book, Downtime, was definitely my favorite, but this one is still a fun read in the gay/historical/romance genre. I have read several books now in this genre. What I like about her books (so far) is that the main characters are not really struggling with their sexuality, as so often is the case in books by other authors. They are already comfortable with being gay. They struggle of course or there would be no plot, but their being gay is really not the core of their issues. Their issues are societal and dealing with interpersonal issues and relationships - things that all people face regardless of sexuality. There are some passages in this book that are sexual. I think the author could develop those further as to me they seem rather glossed-over. I wouldn't want soft porn, don't misunderstand. But I did not feel they were developed enough considering that this book is intended primarily for a gay male audience. As a reference, the sexual passages in "Beguiled" by Joanna Chambers has a good level of detail without being vulgar. Tamara, take note of that !
The language that is used in this book contains many words and phrases that are unique to post WW1 (I suspect). Sometimes I had to read a paragraph a few times to really understand or enjoy the paragraph. It was not much of a hindrance, just different, and something that the reader should be aware of in advance of purchasing this book. My did not find the definitions in many cases, so extrapolation is required.
I won't say much about the plot line in this review, simply so that future readers will enjoy the experience more -)
Overall I would recommend this book for an easy, quick recreational read.
Every once in a while I'll read a book that will literally sweep me off into another world and hold me there, in a magical trance. WHISTLING IN THE DARK is one of those novels, and while reading it, I began to feel that I had no business being a writer as nothing I write will ever compare.
Tamara Allen uses a very light touch to show the New York City of 1919 as she recreates a post-war Mecca vividly describing the birth of prohibition, jazz, and radio stations; underground homosexual parties; automats; shady loan sharks; and two psychologically-damaged soldiers, Jack and Sutton, who find salvation in one another. The very long novel has a feel of Americana, but without the overly cheery optimism. What is so fascinating to observe, is how these two characters warm up to each other. The pace is deliciously slow and as they get to know each other, it never once feels staged, nor does the reader feel telegraphed ahead where there relationship is headed. It took great restraint to allow these characters to develop separately before they finally came together romantically. I shan't spoil you by telling you how it happens, but the circumstances that lead up to their first kiss, is one of the most unique and imaginative plot twists I've ever encountered.
Though the novel certainly deals with some dark and serious issues, the overall tone is buoyant and charming and I had a silly grin on my face though most of it. The myriad of supporting characters are well-drawn and there was the full range of good to bad. The only thing I will say that is even remotely negative is that I counted five straight characters that knew about the love affair between Jack and Sutton and were completely supportive of it. It's possible. Not likely, but possible. Also, this book has got to hold the record for the number of times the word "sandwich" is used. That's not a complaint, just a playful observation. There were so many sandwiches consumed in this book, I felt positively stuffed.
WHISTLING IN THE DARK is a truly remarkable first novel and a beautiful and poignant romance that deserves to be read and savored by anyone who appreciates good gay fiction. So please read it, then tell all of your friends to read it too.
Mark R. Probst
This isn't just a novel, it's an experience. Fun, intense, and most of all heart-felt. When I finished it, I sat there letting the emotions wash over me and through me. It's clear the author poured her heart into this book, which tells the story of two 22 year old soldiers back from WW I - Jack, a buoyant, fast talking tough guy secretly suffering from PTSD, and Sutton, an earnest, sincere musician from Kansas whose war injury has left him unable to play. Tamara Allen's words paint a vivid, memorable picture of post-war New York City, and her supporting cast of characters, including a wayward crocodile, may very well feel like family by the time you've finished the book. I laughed out loud, gasped, and read with tears in my eyes for pages and pages. This novel is a wonderful gift, and I'm so very happy - and a little emotionally wrung out - to have read it.
0 Response to "[25R]∎ Read Gratis Whistling in the Dark (Audible Audio Edition) Tamara Allen Meral Mathews Lethe Press Books"
Post a Comment