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hundredacreofbooks1990's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Homophobia
Minor: Dementia, Child death, Child abuse, and Drug abuse
rileyswan's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
claire_melanie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
labsandliterature's review
4.0
Thank you @penguinaus for sending me a review copy of A Man and His Pride. It is always delightful reading a book set in my own country with well known references. Set in Brisbane this is the story of Sean Preston’s personal growth and self fulfilment.
The book opens with the ending of his three month relationship with his roommate. It is brutal and awkward and it left me with similar feelings. I felt for Sean and the discomfort he was feeling having to be in that house with his now ex. Cue the spiral of self destruction and myriad of pills and alcohol fueled encounters.
The growth in this book stems from new relationships in Seans life, namely 87 year old Meredith and her nurse William. With the help of these two unlikely friends Sean’s life begins to turn around and he truly gets to learn about himself.
This book is hard hitting and gives an honest portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships and the community. It is set in the time of the 2017 Same-Sex Marriage Plebiscite and describes the emotional turmoil caused by the spineless government. Why did we need a postal vote FFS.
Overall, this book will be loved by lovers of Australian fiction, LGBTQ+ readers and people who enjoy that genre and those that love a beautiful story of love and friendship.
The book opens with the ending of his three month relationship with his roommate. It is brutal and awkward and it left me with similar feelings. I felt for Sean and the discomfort he was feeling having to be in that house with his now ex. Cue the spiral of self destruction and myriad of pills and alcohol fueled encounters.
The growth in this book stems from new relationships in Seans life, namely 87 year old Meredith and her nurse William. With the help of these two unlikely friends Sean’s life begins to turn around and he truly gets to learn about himself.
This book is hard hitting and gives an honest portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships and the community. It is set in the time of the 2017 Same-Sex Marriage Plebiscite and describes the emotional turmoil caused by the spineless government. Why did we need a postal vote FFS.
Overall, this book will be loved by lovers of Australian fiction, LGBTQ+ readers and people who enjoy that genre and those that love a beautiful story of love and friendship.
brookes_bookshelves's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Minor: Death and Car accident
shelleyrae's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
When Sean Preston’s first serious relationship ends, the social media moderator makes a list. Get body back in shape. Visit Meredith. Call Mum. Don’t date. He also needs to find somewhere else to live, crashing with his best friend, and former girlfriend, Abby can only be a temporary solution.
Eager to restore his self esteem, Sean throws himself back into the world of hook ups via Grindr, convinced now that exclusive partnerships are antithesis to the gay lifestyle, despite the current campaign with regards to the Same Sex Marriage plebiscite. Yet the rewards seem increasingly hollow.
As Sean is struggling to find his place in the world, he meets William, a nurse at the home where Meredith, suffering late stage dementia, is confined. Her impending death, a mystery correspondent and William’s friendship, forces Sean to face the emotional traumas he carries, and re-claim his pride.
The author thoughtfully explores issues such as identity, homophobia, acceptance, and friendship. Sean initially presents as shallow and narcissistic, playing up to the media stereotype of a promiscuous gay party boy, but as the story unfolds his avoidance of intimacy begins to make sense. With compassion and insight Rutledge slowly strips away Sean’s outward persona to expose his vulnerability, guilt, and loneliness.
William is a sweet foil for Sean, and I really liked the way Rutledge developed the relationship between the two men. What starts as a sort of mercenary exchange becomes something more meaningful and moving. William, and his friends, also illustrate the diversity of the gay community, and model an alternative lifestyle for Sean.
Tender, forthright, entertaining and poignant, I enjoyed A Man and His Pride.
Eager to restore his self esteem, Sean throws himself back into the world of hook ups via Grindr, convinced now that exclusive partnerships are antithesis to the gay lifestyle, despite the current campaign with regards to the Same Sex Marriage plebiscite. Yet the rewards seem increasingly hollow.
As Sean is struggling to find his place in the world, he meets William, a nurse at the home where Meredith, suffering late stage dementia, is confined. Her impending death, a mystery correspondent and William’s friendship, forces Sean to face the emotional traumas he carries, and re-claim his pride.
The author thoughtfully explores issues such as identity, homophobia, acceptance, and friendship. Sean initially presents as shallow and narcissistic, playing up to the media stereotype of a promiscuous gay party boy, but as the story unfolds his avoidance of intimacy begins to make sense. With compassion and insight Rutledge slowly strips away Sean’s outward persona to expose his vulnerability, guilt, and loneliness.
William is a sweet foil for Sean, and I really liked the way Rutledge developed the relationship between the two men. What starts as a sort of mercenary exchange becomes something more meaningful and moving. William, and his friends, also illustrate the diversity of the gay community, and model an alternative lifestyle for Sean.
Tender, forthright, entertaining and poignant, I enjoyed A Man and His Pride.
harrylydd's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nikitael's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yogurtyong's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I almost DNF this book a month ago. I got to about half way and just could not stand Sean’s shallow and judgemental narrative, although it quite accurately reflects what the gay community is like these days.
I picked up the book again yesterday and I’m glad I did. We get to learn that Sean’s behaviour was a result of homophobia from his dad and a general lack of support from his family. The internalised homophobia and what have you. Glad to see that the author Luke Rutledge didn’t turn it into a romantic ending with William, instead, it was friendship and self-discovery that was at the finishing line.
I picked up the book again yesterday and I’m glad I did. We get to learn that Sean’s behaviour was a result of homophobia from his dad and a general lack of support from his family. The internalised homophobia and what have you. Glad to see that the author Luke Rutledge didn’t turn it into a romantic ending with William, instead, it was friendship and self-discovery that was at the finishing line.
memezaharamole's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0