Customer Reviews

Alex in Wonderland (Gay Men's Fiction)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!"

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.

My hat is off to Michel Lacroix! I was surprised to find "Gay Men's Fiction" next to the title though. I, myself, am a stay-at-home mom from Texas and I truly thought it was a story that crossed the boundaries of such a classification. The story was vividly told- the characters came alive in my head and I found myself racing back for another chapter just to get better acquainted with them!

I loved being transported to NOLA, surrounded by these colorful creatures and their naughty exploits. Some characters were developed with a brilliant depth; they had a devil-may-care bravado on the outside and then tender moments of almost breath-taking sadness. The story had a timeless, honest quality about it. Again, it transcended the sexual borders of its subject and was beautifully and simply, a love story. It is so much more than just a gay man finding himself- it is for anyone who has ever struggled with the expectations of family or society. It's a study of the chains that come with wealth and privilege. The themes are for every gender, for all of us who feel pressure to conform. I just happen to have the skeleton of a domineering father in my own closet!

A skillfully crafted story, Alex in Wonderland is a sincere depiction of Southern gentility and how one man rises above the phony trappings of a modern aristocracy. I'm hoping it will be a series and that Alex will return tout sweet!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my romp through Wonderland with Alex and his friends. Michel Lacroix has written a fast-paced, captivating yarn about Alex's coming to terms with his lifestyle in the face of extraordinary challenges. Alex's story involves quirky friends, corporate politics and greed, steamy sex, an appalling fiancee, family dysfunction, and, of course more steamy sex. This would be a wonderful read on the beach.

I gave this book four stars because M. Lacroix wrote a story that entrances and that made me long for New Orleans. Most of the characters were delicious and fun, including Alex, the main character. His friends Jolie and Angelique and Duncan, and even his mother (late in the book) were all fantabulous. The villians, Alex's fiancee and father, were two dimensional and evil, but fun to read about and fun to see thwarted.

Lacroix developed what might have been a wonderful love story, except that he developed a boyfriend for Alex that committed an action that was inexcusable. Had Cord ever realized how badly he hurt Alex and how badly he had behaved, exploiting Alex, and apologized for it, he might have been forgiven, but he did not. It was bad enough that Cord turned Alex over to his father, but he told Alex that he loved him and that he wanted Alex to face and deal with his father IF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS EVER TO HAVE A CHANCE OF SURVIVING FOR A LIFETIME. That last phrase is very important, because it closely paraphrases what Cord said was his motive for betraying Alex to the latter's father. Unfortunately, what Cord then did after betraying Alex was despicable and was never explained or apologized for; worse, it implied that Cord's statement of his motive was insincere. Within a day or two or maybe even within hours of turning Cord over to his father's goons, Cord went to Key West, looked up Alex's friend Chandler, shacked up with Chandler and became his new lover. Cord knew who Chandler was. Had he told Chandler about his feelings about Alex, Chandler would have helped them. He didn't. Cord did not even tell Chandler how he felt about Alex or that Alex was his boyfriend until AFTER Alex had surprised the two of them in Key West. I can't believe Alex didn't blow his top and lay a heavy guilt trip on Cord right then. I find it even harder to believe that Alex took Cord back later on without any explanation for what Cord had done and without any apology from Cord for being an incredible prick. Without this bad glitch in the book's plot, it was easily worth five stars; with it, I find Cord a royal jerk and Alex a wuss for taking him back. Three and a half to four stars. Two bad, as it was otherwise a lot of fun and a great read.

Don't start this book before bed time! You will lose a night's sleep just like I did! I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out and then I still didn't want to stop reading. Alex and his friends and his family are real, I know, because I have met them in New Orleans many times.

What a dandy book! I knew Michel La Croix - whom I've read under other names - always tells a good story, but "Alex" is more than a single story (and indeed, I'm pleased to see it IS more than a single book!); it's an introduction to a bunch of people I feel I've met and known. It's antediluvian New Orleans, the people and the place itself captured forever - thank God - in a story where serious issues of self and family are dealt with, sometimes seriously, sometimes hilariously, by folks you really hope everything will work out for. What more can you ask? (Oh, and descriptions of yummy men - as a straight girl I can appreciate that).
Who hasn't struggled with a family who demands they be something they're not? Who hasn't had doubts about the one they love? Who hasn't gotten by with a little help from their sometimes-very-weird friends?
And who doesn't appreciate an excellent relationship story, REALLY well-told. Part of the pleasure in reading it is La Croix's technical expertise as a storyteller, good writing that wraps you up and carries you effortlessly along. I agree with an earlier reviewer: Don't start this one before bed if you've got anything to do the next morning.

You can read the plot in reviews below- they've captured the tale well, but Michel LaCroix will capture and entertain you! If you love what we remember of the "real" New Orleans, the author paints his picture with perfection- the history, landmarks, and characters are SO NOLA. The novel has the perfect ending ... only who wants the fun to end?
Tres bien, Monsieur LaCroix!