A review by apostrophen
Country by Jeff Mann
5.0
I was lucky enough to get an advance reading copy of this one, and though any of you who follow my blog know I adore Jeff Mann, I have to say I was nervous about this one: it features a bunch of things I don't necessarily connect with: country music, rural culture, and living a closeted life. But I shouldn't have worried.
Following a big name Country star, Brice Brown, who is outed in the late 90's, the exploration of homophobia is bang-on perfect, and all the more vicious given both the time and the culture. Jeff Mann's voice is so lyrical and clear I had zero trouble connecting with a man so very unlike me, and yet found my empathy evoked. I also liked that Brice is by no means a perfect man—he's as much a product of his culture as those who throw hate at him from within it, and beyond self-loathing there are a few moments of pot/kettle that are deftly written. Brice is flawed, and that made it all the easier to connect with him. Mann explores depression, too, which is a welcome change, and there's a sense of realism to the entire novel that keeps it from being a "happily ever after with rainbows" that would completely break the suspension of disbelief.
And, of course, the food. Some day I will learn not to read a Jeff Mann book while hungry. I don't even know what half the dishes are, but I eat so damn much while he describes them.
Following a big name Country star, Brice Brown, who is outed in the late 90's, the exploration of homophobia is bang-on perfect, and all the more vicious given both the time and the culture. Jeff Mann's voice is so lyrical and clear I had zero trouble connecting with a man so very unlike me, and yet found my empathy evoked. I also liked that Brice is by no means a perfect man—he's as much a product of his culture as those who throw hate at him from within it, and beyond self-loathing there are a few moments of pot/kettle that are deftly written. Brice is flawed, and that made it all the easier to connect with him. Mann explores depression, too, which is a welcome change, and there's a sense of realism to the entire novel that keeps it from being a "happily ever after with rainbows" that would completely break the suspension of disbelief.
And, of course, the food. Some day I will learn not to read a Jeff Mann book while hungry. I don't even know what half the dishes are, but I eat so damn much while he describes them.