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A review by claudia_is_reading
Goldenboy by Michael Nava
4.0
Michael Nava is a hell of a writer, and that is in plain display in this book. The story is dry, sad, hard to read for moments, but utterly engaging.
And I'm not talking only about the mystery, here. It's everything: the portrait of the times, with AIDS playing a big role in the lives of gay men; Jim's sorrowful life and his subdue death; love, in all his ways: wistful and bleak, rejected and embraced...
We get to know a bit more of Henry, but he is still a mystery to me, I still don't understand how his heart works. I love his mind, he is smart and fully dedicated to protecting those who are oppressed. But at the same time, he is emotionally detached, and it's hard to empathize with him at an emotional level.
I don't understand his relationship with Josh. Is it really love? Or it's just a reaction to Larry's death sentence and leaving? To Josh's need? I don't know...
So, if you are looking for romance, this is not for you. But if what you want is a great story, fantastically written, dealing with loss and love, with sickness and homophobia, with greed and lost innocence? Then, go ahead, you have the right book.
And I'm not talking only about the mystery, here. It's everything: the portrait of the times, with AIDS playing a big role in the lives of gay men; Jim's sorrowful life and his subdue death; love, in all his ways: wistful and bleak, rejected and embraced...
We get to know a bit more of Henry, but he is still a mystery to me, I still don't understand how his heart works. I love his mind, he is smart and fully dedicated to protecting those who are oppressed. But at the same time, he is emotionally detached, and it's hard to empathize with him at an emotional level.
I don't understand his relationship with Josh. Is it really love? Or it's just a reaction to Larry's death sentence and leaving? To Josh's need? I don't know...
So, if you are looking for romance, this is not for you. But if what you want is a great story, fantastically written, dealing with loss and love, with sickness and homophobia, with greed and lost innocence? Then, go ahead, you have the right book.