Alex in Wonderland (Gay Men's Fiction) [Paperback]

Michel LaCroix (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gay Men's Fiction | Publication Date: April 2006

This is a light-hearted novel that tackles a serious, uniquely gay subject, while evoking the spicy nightlife of New Orleans. Alex Sumner, 26, is the closeted gay son of an obscenely wealthy and powerful New Orleans oil tycoon. At the insistence of his father, Alex has become engaged to Camilla, the pushy and totally self-absorbed daughter of another oil man. This farce has been arranged by their fathers, who hope to unite their businesses and create a financial empire that could last for decades, even centuries. Appalled at the looming prospect of a hollow, arranged marriage, Alex hightails it for Key West. On the way, he meets Cord. Big, strong and on the skids, Cord is an out-of-work personal trainer about to humble himself begging his homophobic dad for a job. He's humiliated at the prospect of working for the man who abused him and his brother when they were kids, but sees no other way to stay afloat. Cord and Alex fall in love, but Alex's father has posted a huge reward for his return, and amateur bounty hunters are on his trail. Soon, Alex finds himself back in New Orleans. With the help of his drag queen friend and mentor Jolie, Alex finally realises the importance of being true to oneself, regardless of consequence. As his wedding date looms closer, he knows he needs to do something...something big..."Alex In Wonderland" is a true page-turner - simultaneously sexy, suspenseful and hilarious. This is one trip through the queer looking glass that no reader will soon forget!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"LaCroix has created a story that features a sizzling mix of fast-paced storytelling and lyrical sexuality. A MUST-READ." -- Durrell Owens, Author of The Song of a Manchild

"RICHLY ENTERTAINING. . . . Celebrates gay New Orleans in fine style. . . . Fully loaded with plot, heart, and rainbow-colored characters." -- EdgeBoston

"TENNESSEE WILLIAMS MEETS JACKIE COLLINS with a dash of Truman Capote in Monsieur LaCroix's hilarious debut novel." -- Michael D. Craig, Author of The Ice Sculptures: A Novel of Hollywood

About the Author

Michel LaCroix wrote The Edge Guide to New Orleans and the New Orleans section of Access Gay USA. He is also the author of nine published pseudonymous historical, adventure and romance novels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Southern Tier Editions; 1 edition (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560235322
• ISBN-13: 978-1560235323
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,982,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew Rabbit Holes Could be This Much Fun?, January 3, 2006

By 

Jak Klinikowski "justjak13" (El Paso, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alex in Wonderland (Gay Men's Fiction) (Paperback)

Have you ever wondered what might have happened if John Ross (JR's son) had grown up to be gay on TV's classic night time soap DALLAS? Probably not, but if you have, ALEX IN WONDERLAND is definitely something you're going to want to read. With a cast that includes a pig-headed, not to mention homophobic, oil tycoon (JR), his wife who initially seems timid, but ends up dominating the situation (Sue Ellen), and a humpy cute closeted son (John Ross) desperate to come out, but afraid to lose the life-style to which he's become accustomed, this book should more than satisfy your curiosity. However, if you couldn't care less about old television melodramas, but totally enjoy elaborately plotted fictional mischief, you too are going to have a blast reading this book.

With ALEX IN WONDERLAND, author LaCroix has created a deliciously far-fetched tale of deceit and family intrigue set amongst the elite of New Orleans's (sorry east Texas) society. At 26, Alex Sumner has it all, a high level job at his father's company with no personal responsibility, a pocket full of credit cards, a fast expensive car, and a perfectly suitable fiancé hand picked by Daddy.

Camilla is the daughter of another oil baron and Randolph Sumner, Alex's father, wants his son to marry her in order to solidify a merger between the two companies. Of course Alex is gay and wants no part of his future wife, but he's so spoiled by his life of affluence, and so firmly embedded in the closet, that he's petrified his father will cut him off if he finds out the truth. Alex is a sweet kid, but he's got about as much backbone as a caterpillar.

With the blessing of his mother Karen, Alex runs away from home (Daddy's mansion) to stay with Jolie, a well-to-do French Quarter queen, and the only gay friend Alex has. When Randolph realizes his son has disappeared he goes to the news media with reports of foul play and offers a huge reward for any information on Alex's whereabouts. Knowing someone might call his father at any minute to collect the cash Alex and Jolie concoct a wild scheme to get Alex out of town, and away from Daddy's shot-gun nuptials. Jolie dresses Alex in cheap tacky drag and puts him on the midnight bus for Key West.

ALEX IN WONDERLAND is a fast paced, funny, and romantic novel that never takes itself too seriously. As absurd as the situations might be, LaCroix has written them in a manner most entertaining, and yes, believable. Despite all his foibles, you can't help caring about Alex, and hoping he manages to thwart his father's plans. This is exactly what a good old fashioned pot-boiler should be like. Eat your heart out Jackie Collins.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER TALES OF THE CITY!!!, February 14, 2006

By 

A New Orleans Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alex in Wonderland (Gay Men's Fiction) (Paperback)

Uproarious and bittersweet, "Alex in Wonderland" is deliciously reminiscent of Armistead Maupin's now-classic series, "Tales of the City" with the New Orleans French Quarter replacing San Francisco's Barbary Lane. Author Michel LaCroix's characters--gay, straight and/or otherwise-- are every bit as colorful, loopy and lovable as they navigate life's promises and pitfalls. The chapters are short and the action fast with fascinating twists and turns that mesh neatly for a rollicking good, very satisfying climax. Written before the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, this book is a Valentine to one of America's most beloved cities and leaves the reader with a satisfying afterglow long after Alex finishes his madcap journey through Wonderland. I can hardly wait for the next installment, "Through With The Looking Glass!"

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Romp Down the Rabbit Hole, January 25, 2006

By 

J. Giambroni "Jim Broni" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alex in Wonderland (Gay Men's Fiction) (Paperback)

You don't have to be a "friend of Dorothy's" to enjoy Michel LaCroix's delightful tale of a confused young man and his desire to do right by his wealthy family while staying true to himself. La Croix's romp takes the reader from the wealth of pre-Katrina New Orleans' Garden District and the French Quarter to the beaches of Key West. Along the way we meet Jolie, the ultimate confidant - part favorite aunt and part sassy sidekick, Cord, a rough-around-the-edges Prince Charming determined to save Alex from himself, and a host of colorful characters including a duplicitous fiancée, backwoods video experts and lesbian French royalty - oh my!

Alex is set to marry Camilla - according to both of their rich father's plans - but he'd really like to settle down with a nice young man, a twist neither fiancée or parents are privy to. After running away from home, Alex finds himself the subject of a national manhunt as his father tries to lure him back under his control. Before long he is on the run (in bad drag, no less) and off to an encounter that will change his life.

LaCroix deftly captures the unique flavor of New Orleans and the eclectic collection of natives and transplants that call this special city home. "Alex" is an enjoyable trip down the rabbit hole via Greyhound, plane and Lamborghini - an adventure truly worthy of Lewis Carroll.