Lance: The Continuing Journals of Will Barnett [Paperback]

Ronald Donaghe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2002

Will Barnett writes: "So, as I told Uncle Sean, Lance just needs somebody to love him. And that somebody is me."When Lance and Will meet on a windswept ledge on the edge of a desert mountain, neither young man knows the trials they will each face. Lance, the troubled, violet-eyed young man will find the love and support of a family he never had. But more importantly the pure love of a man-for Life. But he must make a heart-wrenching choice: to embrace that love, or take the opportunity of a lifetime, which may well mean giving up his chance at love.Praise for the first book in "The Continuing Journals of Will Barnett" Uncle Sean:"Donaghe's magic in crafting this tale was writing Will's journal in the voice of a fourteen year-old The book is so realistic that one wonders what has become of Sean and Will since the box (containing Will's journal) was stowed away in the barn thirty years ago The novel is a natural for high school and public libraries." -John R. Selig, Foreword Magazine

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Visit Donaghe at http://web.nmsu.edu/~rodonagh

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (March 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595222676
• ISBN-13: 978-0595222674
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,592,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great follow-up to Uncle Sean!, May 29, 2002

By 

Duane Simolke "author, The Acorn Stories, Deg... (Lubbock, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lance: The Continuing Journals of Will Barnett (Paperback)

I was pleased when Ronald L. Donaghe agreed to my suggestion that I write the preface to this novel. Lance is a great follow-up to Uncle Sean, the first book in The Continuing Journals of Will Barnett. Its also a fitting chapter in the career of one of gay fictions best writers.

If you liked any of Donaghes previous novels, you should like this one as well. It brings back the New Mexico landscape, the fears over difference, and the need to remain a part of ones family while remaining true to ones self. As Will enters adulthood, he finds that his love for Lance will continue to complicate his life and his relationship with others. Friends become enemies, and enemies become potential allies. Everything changes as people begin to confront their prejudices and insecurities.

Like The Salvation Mongers (still my favorite of Donaghes books) and Uncle Sean, this novel also confronts the abuse that sometimes hides within seemingly ideal homes. All in all, though, Donaghe offers hope to those who will be true to themselves and tolerant of others. Youll find a lot of sex, as well as a lot of evocative descriptions of farm life and natures beauty. But youll more likely remember the tender love story and how lifes problems and opportunities affect that love.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great followup to Uncle Sean, September 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Lance: The Continuing Journals of Will Barnett (Paperback)

I live in an isolated part of the country and depend a lot on the internet for some enjoyment. The greatest joy was to discover stories practically like my own life, growing up on a farm, wishing I had a boyfriend, and so living such a fantasy through Will Barnett and his love affair with cute little Lance was one of the best stories I've found. The one review on this page that got me was the mean one. I just had to let you know that it's wrong all the way. I've only read Uncle Sean of Donahue's books, but I plan to do them all. In Uncle Sean you know how Will feels, falling in love with his uncle and being told 'no.' And to wait for the right boy. And then Will finds him. Lance comes along and then in the second journal their love deepens and you feel that too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you loved "Uncle Sean" you've got to read "Lance", March 5, 2004

By 

Johnny (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lance: The Continuing Journals of Will Barnett (Paperback)

For those who read Uncle Sean and loved it, this continuation of that story is a must-read. Lance picks up where Uncle Sean left off and is just as riveting. Ron Donaghe continues to speak so convincingly in Will's voice that the reader is forced to remind himself that this is a work of fiction--or to wonder if it really is. As Will and Lance grow to know each other, the reader grows to know each of them. Their bond grows strong as their love deepens and it becomes evident that this is a relationship that can stand the test of time. Lance and Will face the challenges over which they have no control, forced upon them by a homophobic society, and if anything, come out stronger and closer because of them.
It's impossible not to fall in love with Will and Lance and impossible not to fall in love with this story. The book ends leaving the reader on pin and needles, wondering if their love can survive their biggest challenge yet but is picked up without missing a beat in All Over Him, Donaghe's next installment in Will and Lance's story.