Gadarene (Paperback)

~ (Author), C.B. Potts (Author)
Key Phrases: Five Points, Old Man Killen, Fifth Avenue (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...if you want a genre-busting story that covers a lot of ground, emotionally and viscerally, then you should definitely give this one a go. -- Erastes, at Speak Its Name, the Gay Historical Fiction Blog

...the gay romance aspect here meshes so finely with the other aspects of the characters and story that I think this could appeal more broadly than that genre specification might suggest. [...]I'd encourage anyone who's interested, but hesitant because of the gay thing, not to let that put them off, but to give this a try. -- Curt Purcell, Groovy Age of Horror

Gadarene will please many readers, especially those looking for something distinctly different from anything they've ever read before! -- Val Kovalin at Obsidianbookshelf.com

There is little to criticize about Gadarene; it comes as close to perfection as possible. ...If you're looking for something unconventional, Gadarene is highly recommended. -- Reyes, at Rainbow Reviews

Product Description

In the notorious Five Points slum of 1870's Manhattan, Galen 'the Mongoose' Driscol steps out of jail and back into the arms of his transgendered lover, Wira Boruta. When Galen tells Wira that he's tracked down the man who tried to kill them as children, Wira is unwilling to listen, and pleads with Galen to forget the past, and live only for the future...their future. Only Galen doesn't forget, nor does he forgive. He doesn't give a second thought about exacting justice, but justice has a price, and it's come to collect from the one person Galen loves most...

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Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: EM Novels (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974419524
• ISBN-13: 978-0974419527
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #361,177 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only problem with this book is that it was too short., March 15, 2008

By	im2157 - See all my reviews

I really, really liked everything about this book, despite going into it with some misgivings. Galen and Wira's relationship - their obvious love and commitment to each other - was incredibly satisfying in what essentially came off as a horror book. The horror elements themselves were also very well-written; they were creepy enough to leave you somewhat spooked at the book's conclusion, but not so terrifying that you lost sight of some of the more encouraging elements of the story. I also really, really enjoyed the setting, being somewhat obsessed with anything that evokes old New York, and I loved all of the accents, places, and other little details that helped keep the story grounded in its time and place.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gadarene by Tina Anderson & C.B. Potts, January 25, 2008

By	Elisa (Italy) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Well never say never. I always said that I would never read an horror and here I'm, just finished one, and I have to say a very good one, and being very happy to have read it (even if happy is not a word that fit with this genre ;-) )

Late nineteen century in Manhattan, Galen is just out of prison. He has spent three years in Ludlow, a boy from Five Points, with no hope for a bright future. Son of a woman who is whoring herself to live, he has neither a place to stay if it weren't for Wira. Wira is his lover. A boy born with a genital imperfection, Wira was raised by his mother like a girl, but when his mother died and he went to the youth home in Bowery, they decided he was a boy. But his mother promised him he will be a woman, and Wira wants to be a woman. Above all for his lover, for Galen.

During Galen's absence, Wira has gained money "blowing kisses", but he has never allowed to nobody to fully "have" him. That part of him is only for Galen, and now that Galen is again at home, he doesn't want that Wira goes on to do the "life". But past trauma, of both Galen and Wira, and the reason why they met, doesn't allow to Wira to forget and go on. He has always believed that alcohol was the reason for his nightmare, but now he is sober, but still he sees the "boys", little ghosts who always look at him with accusing eyes. Even more now that Galen is out of prison. But why can't Galen forget the past? Why has he always to speak of Him?

Gadarene is a very intense book. It's strong, and it's not flowers and kisses, but it's also a beautiful love story. Both Galen than Wira are very deep characters. It's beautiful to read of their relationship, how they depend on each other, how difficult is their life, but still how easy and warm is their love. And even if this book has some paranormal elements, for me it's a wonderful historical evocation, of the tough life of that part of the world not born in safe and warm houses, of a man who is not fully man, but still has found love and deserved that love.

The historical details are wonderful, the use of the different slangs, the melting pot of people which was the poor district of a long forgotten Manhattan, all conveys to make an appealing reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rereading it was fantastic, April 29, 2009

By	Clsazekiel (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

I just reread my copy this morning while enjoying my coffee and waiting for the day to start and realized how much I had -really- liked the story the first time. Fantastic from beginning to end, it's the kind of book you have to do in one sitting because you don't want to stop!

I highly recommend it and have passed it around to my friends who are not necessarily fans of this subject matter and often receive rave reviews from them.