Customer Reviews

Chemistry

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Back in high school chemistry, we defined the term as the science of mixing elements, creating a compound that is very different than either of the ingredients. It works the same way with people, as pointed out in Lewis DeSimone's excellent first novel, "Chemistry".

The narrator of the book is Neal, a gay man in his late 20's who is a new arrival in San Francisco. Having left behind a failed relationship in his native Boston, Neal finds a unfulfilling but well-paying job as an ad copywriter, and starts to explore the city with Martin, an older man who is the brother of a female friend back in Boston. On one of his first trips to a local bar, Neal is charmed by the impulsive and outgoing Zak, and the two begin a relationship, despite not having much in common (other than a mutual attraction to each other) and Zak's increasingly worse mood swings. It soon becomes apparent that Zak's condition is more physical (a "chemical imbalance") than behavioral, and Neal stands by him throughout a most difficult time in his life, despite Martin's suggestion that their relationship is more than a bit one-sided and codependent. Ultimately, Neal has to take a step back and look at what the relationship is doing to him, as opposed to what he really gets out of it.

A frank, intelligently-written and well paced novel, saying what needs to be said to people who rush into "loving" relationships without really understanding what the word should mean. As someone who has occasionally tended toward codependence in past friendships and at least one relationship, the book definitely spoke to me, and I recommend it highly to all.

Lewis DeSimone's Chemistry is an incredible first novel. However, it certainly doesn't feel like a first novel - the writing is that polished and assured. The story itself is immensely moving - a developing relationship and love affair between two men, one of whom, we gradually learn, suffers from mental illness. On no account, however, is the story depressing, although it is extremely moving. The protagonist, Neil, who loves Zach - a charming manchild, gradually becomes aware that he is treading on uncertain ground as the depths of Zach's illness becomes clearer. Written in short chapters, the story moves quickly, but never seems rushed. In fact, I often re-read chapters just because the author's prose is so beautifully crafted.
There is a lot of writing that is marketed only to gay audiences. It would be a shame for this book to be categorized as such. DeSimone is a powerful writer who reminded me enormously of Colm Toib?m, the great Irish writer. He is a voice I want to hear from again - and again.

Chemistry blew me away. I read a lot of contemporary gay fiction, and I would rank this among my favorites, with Alan Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty, Matthew Stalder's Alan Stein, and Andrew Holleran's In September, the Light Changes. There's a lot to admire technically--the grace of the sentences, the tight thematic structure, the effortless plot. But what's stayed with me the most is the wisdom, the human and humane understanding that reverberates throughout the work. Like the best books, I finished Chemistry feeling that I learned something more about what it means to live, to lose, to desire, to fear, to hope...

Discovering a new excellent writer is one of the joys of reading that reigns at the top of the reasons why we read books. CHEMISTRY is a novel by Lewis DeSimone that is at once intelligent, informed, eloquent, erotic, thought provoking, profound, sensitive - and important. With this his first novel he steps solidly onto the platform of important contemporary American writers. Waiting for his next opus will be haunting.

'Chemistry is about reactions, two elements coming together and creating something new...Everything connected, everything eventually a part of something else. Two elements come together, and neither is ever the same again.' Explaining the title chosen for his novel about love and relationships and the idiosyncrasies of living in the universe comes as novel's close, an epitaph of sorts to DeSimone's story of two men coming together coincidentally in a happenstance that seems so random and developing an acknowledgement of a chemistry that binds them into a journey in which each discovers not only the nature of the other, but also the nature of themselves.

Neal is a young artistic male who moves from Boston to San Francisco when his love for a bisexual cellist named Adam comes to an end. His sole contact is Martin, an older, wiser man whose sister was a close friend to Neal in Boston. Martin slowly introduces Neal to the beauties of San Francisco including a handsome twenty-seven year old Zach who spills joy and dancing from his apparent open earthiness. Neal is cautious but gradually is enchanted by the physicality of Zach and they bond. But as they approach longevity changes occur in Zach's personality and mental illness clouds their world. Zach attempts suicide and is admitted to a mental hospital: Neal is ever supportive, living between the crevices of Zach's psyclothymic personality. Martin supportive, urging Neal to care for himself, but Martin has dark secrets of an agonized past he doesn't easily share. Many events occur including one that contains the HIV specter, and Neal's role as caretaker for Zach's damaged soul gradually mutates. 'Words gave everything shape - a framework without which it would all be a hopeless jumble, untranslatable.'

As Neal confronts his own pains he realizes 'Half-lives are chemistry's clock. You can tell how old something is by how much of it is left'...'But eventually, you run out of half-lives. Eventually there's nothing left.' And coming into contact with his own mortality gives Neal a new outlook, one that is enhanced by light, by music, by memories well sifted, by living.

CHEMISTRY is a love story, one told with some of the finest erotic writing being written today: so rare it is that same-sex novels embrace sensuous moments with such passion yet retain such dignity and eloquence of style. DeSimone writes about music, about literature, about art, about altered mental states - all with such an informed stance that he must be read slowly to gather all the knowledge and beauty of expression he offers. This is not a novel to be read in bits and spurts, but instead a novel to be savored over time...and then look forward to reading again. Welcome to the pantheon, Lewis DeSimone! This is a novel as fine as any novel about gay love as is out there - and it is so much more. It deserves a very wide audience: it is superior writing. Grady Harp, February 07

At various times throught out the book, I found myself angry with both Neal and Zach. At other times, I just wanted to hold them. These are well written characters full of complex emotions and, to me, a sign of a well contructed novel.

There are parts of the novel that seem like a typical coming of age tale. But, there are many others that feel more like a confessional. As I read the book, I wanted to put it down and read something lighter because I didn't want to share the pain being exposed at that particular point. At the same time, I didn't want to put it down because I wanted to know both would be ok.

This is not a novel to read when you're in the mood for a nice romanctic coming of age tale. But, it's definitely worth reading.

This book is very well written. The characters are rich and their reactions are real. Specializing in psychology, I may be too critical of the characterizations of the mental disorders brought out in ths book. Chemistry is a haunting, sophisticated and satifying work. This is an exceptional book that generates real emotion - it's not to be missed - it makes you want to known what's going to happen to the characters from beginning to end.

Chemistry deals with attraction, love, and mental health in very realistic terms. Leaving the reader to question their own assumptions. What is the right way to deal with a lovers mental health issues? When is it love, when lust, when codependence? How do you love someone who is changing drastically? The characters will be with you long after you finish the book

Have you ever had that friend who was in a self defeating and all consuming relationship that brought them down without them being fully conscious or aware of the damaging effects it was having on them and those around them? Or perhaps one may have been consumed by energy and love so strong yet had a veil that conceals the destruction the relationship brought to one's life. This book epitomizes these types of toxic love episodes in the form of desperation and loyalty by one character and mental illness and erratic behavior by the other one. This book can be a frustrating story to read from the standpoint of logic and reason. However for those who understand the power of "chemistry" it can be a very familiar story. Soul mates are not always the ideal romantic partners that many dream of. People may show up in our lives to teach us karmic lessons and test our strength. The characters in this story seem to have a fated meeting which makes this a very compelling story to read.

I know when I have enjoyed a novel or film when I continue to think about it days after I've finished reading or viewing it. I thought about the story of Zach and Neal, which resonated within me for several days. Why? I think Lewis DeSimone crafted a lovely story that percolates thoughts and forms questions such as: What attracts you to another? Is a relationship based solely on personal chemistry ever sustainable? Would it or could it have ended differently? Is love ever enough especially when one or both individuals are fragile and/or damaged? Neal is damaged by his relationship in Boston that he decides to move to another state to start again. He has lost his self confidence or maybe never really had it. Zach has been damaged since childhood and although depression can be treated outwardly - his personality seemed so fragile that I wondered if he could ever find self acceptance and peace. I found my head shaking "NO" when Zach made the common mistake/assumption to stop taking his meds because he felt better - I thought the author spot on when Zach's medications were not working because it needed to be readjusted or stabilized - these are real problems for people living with various types of depression. Regarding Neal, I admired his initial commitment to support Zach and empathized with his heartache, confusion and co-dependency (if we want to call it that) while doing so. Ultimately, I admired Zach's gift to let go (even if there was a part of him that wanted Neal to stay) and Neal's recognition that he needed to do so for his own sake.

Overall, I thought the author did an exceptional job telling the story of two people who found each other for a period of time but realized their relationship unsustainable. I thought it well written, intelligent, and the aspect of mental illness well researched - the story never felt contrived. I also enjoyed the San Francisco setting since I live in the Bay Area and I'm familiar with the streets and landmarks referenced. I hope the author will write another novel. I certainly recommend "Chemistry" as a good read.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Although it involves a relationship between two men, the dynamics could very well apply to any relationship. It is very well written. I highly recommend it.