Customer Reviews

Endangered Species: A Novel

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

 

 

I certainly agree that Bayard's ENDANGERED SPECIES is funny and fun to read. But the way he sketches some of his most endearing characters (like Broome's grandmother in the hospital, having to remember how to eat) is so fresh and full-bodied, I read the passage over several times; Broome's boyfriend and the on-again, off-again relationship with him is written with real sensitivity, giving depth of character to both. This is a lot deeper book than its breezy, entertaining style would suggest. It can be enjoyed on several levels. -Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Common Sons (part of the series: "Common Threads in the Life")

This book cracked me up! Very clever writing, a great pleasure to read. As a librarian, I think this book has all the elements of a good summer read and I bought 3 copies for my library. Treat yourself and have a good laugh with this book!

In his quest to "plant his seed", and send offspring out into the world, Nick Broome will go to almost any lengths to get one.(And he does at points.)The novel isn't as laugh out loud funny as I had anticipated, but is touching and heartfelt as this gay man goes through a crazy journey to find what a child means to him, and what finally constitutes a family.

After reading Mr. Bayard's "Fool's Errand" several months ago, I was anxious to read another of his novels. I don't know why I waited so long, since I thought his first book was astonishing. Finally, I read this one, not expecting too much from it, based solely on the subject matter. I figured as a single guy, I would not be able to relate very much. I was wrong. It is such a joy to read Mr. Bayard's writing. He leaves me constantly in awe as he describes people and objects with wit and a very keen eye. And the story, too, was very much a surprise. Nice job, Mr. Bayard! You have joined the ranks of my favorite authors, beside the likes of Jim Oliver and Peter Cameron. Can't wait for your next one!

This was my second Bayard read. "Fool's Errand," my first was a book I could not put down - loved it; "Endangered Species" did not quite "do it" for me the same way. Here's why: Bayard's characters are all to real for me as a former Washingtonian... I sometimes think he's writing about folks I know (maybe so?), and the main character in this book is more like someone I would try to avoid at a cocktail party! So I put the book down halfway through, then came back and finished it a couple of weeks later. I suppose that means Bayard has once again mastered very identifiable and real-to-me characters! I hope to see more from this writer. If you've ever lived the Washington gay scene, you'll really enjoy the recognizable settings of Endagered Species and Fool's Errand.

Let me first say that Louis Bayard's first novel "A Fool's Errand" is one of my all time favorite books. I am sure that my friends are sick of me talking about how highly I thought of it. Of course, after they read it, then they know why I recommended it so highly. "Endangered Species" is good, and probably ten times better than most gay fiction. It was just from a personal standpoint, I couldn't relate to the main character. Don't let that stop you from reading it though.

This is a great book to add to your summer reading list. It has all the stuff that makes for a good read. It has moments when you find yourself laughing out loud, passages that remind you of your own family's pathos and plot twists that engage you from the first chapter. All this happens as you take a journey with the main character... meeting interesting and "unusal" people on his search to find a surrogate mother. I loved it!

Fun book, easy to read and really funny. Bayard takes an interesting perspective on something most people take for granted.

This time around, Bayard's characters are less entertaining, less sympathetic, and less realistic. It's hard to see why they're drawn together, and why we should care about them. The writing is still good, but this story didn't grab me the way Fool's Errand did. I'd try another of his, but I wish I'd checked Endangered Species out of the library instead of buying it.