Customer Reviews

Lance: The Continuing Journals of Will Barnett

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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.

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.

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.

Donaghe writes from his heart and Lance proves just that.
Lance is a wonderful follow-up to Uncle Sean. Will's and Lance's angst and struggles in a homophobic small community is compellingly written. Lance's near rape and "castration" just leaves my heart cold. I am glad that Will's and Lance's love for each other is strong enough to withstand the hostility and animosity. They maybe just 18 but their committment to each other and their referring to each other as husband just warms my heart. The ending is frustrating as it leaves Will "hanging" but it is a perfect bridge to the 3rd book. Keep it up Donaghe!

This book has been compared favorably to Catcher in the Rye and does for the young gay man what Catcher did many years ago. In the voice of 14 year-old Will Barnett, the lonely voice of an entire generation of young gay men has been captured by this brilliant writer. Mr. Donaghe is an accomplished writer who can inspire high emotions and hope. This is one of the best books for young men I have ever read. I recommend it without reservation. It belongs in high school libraries, handles a sensitive topic with true decency.

LANCE is the second installment of THE CONTINUING JOURNALS OF WILL BARNETT and is as nearly as perfect as its predecessor. It would be difficult to tell you what the story is about, simply because it doesn't have much plot. But that is one of the things that makes it remarkable. Through his daily journals, Will relates the events that take place the last year or two before he graduates high school and moves out to go to college and begin a whole new life. I have a great deal of affection for the writing style of Ronald L. Donaghe. The simple, youthful innocence of the writing is heart-rending, yet absolutely effortless to read. I find myself addicted to the people, the time and the place. Set it the early 70's as the Viet Nam war was winding down, these young gay men, living in small farm towns in New Mexico, had no one but each other to turn to. There were no support groups or gay-straight alliances. It wasn't even safe to confide in a school counselor back then. They were peripherally aware of San Francisco and the hope that it offered of a safe haven, but the reality of their environment was life-threatening danger. Real life has no beginning, no middle, and no neatly tied up ending to provide closure, but rather just continues on. This is exactly how the journals are written - to reflect a slice of an ongoing life. I've read a few online comments where reviewers were confused as to whether Will Barnett was a real person and these journals actually existed. That is just testimony to Donaghe's skill as a writer. Whether Will Barnett actually walks on this earth, or simply lives in Donaghe's mind, he is definitely real!

A great feeling of melancholy overwhelmed at the outset of this novel. Will Bartlett is 46 years old at the time of this story.While I know people grow older,I was not expecting this and it put me in a very blue mood.
It continued throughout the book. Although the experiences of Will and his friend Lance in high school were good reading my mood and feelings continued in a downward spiral.
Everything ended in this set of journals of Will Bartlett. The farm was sold,the sisters moved away, his mother moved away,even the famous Uncle Sean brought a portent of gloom to my reading. His chapter was at an end.Everyone and everything were blowing away like sand in the wind.
I was glad to be done reading this story and I don't think I will get another.
It is one thing when I set out to read a story that I know will evoke feelings of sadness and heartache. But I was quite blindsided by the opening chapter,(Will and his silver hair) and my deep funk still has not ended.I know it is meant for me to purchase another of Will's journals, but I can't knowing that Will is mid-way through his life as I am reading.
This entire book depressed me.

Be forewarned. The reviews of this writer's books are effusively generous with their praise - suspiciously and undeservedly so, in my opinion.

This book would probably appeal to someone in the 13- to 15-year-old age range (like "Uncle Sean," "Common Sons" and "The Blind Season"). It is not for adults. It is not for those who enjoy good reading. It is poorly written, repetitive, and unsatisfying. The characters are sappy and emotional - they cry a lot. While the situations and themes created for them are serious (child abuse, bigotry towards gays, commitment in relations), the solutions are sensational, melodramatic, and ultimately unrealistic.

This book is "thin" on content (only 190 pages). While the price paid by readers is lining the pockets of the author and his publisher, I resent having (foolishly) laid out a considerable sum to buy four of this writer's books on the strength of the overwhelmingly favorable - and, in my opinion, inaccurate and misleading - reviews published at this website. None of the reviews mention the brevity of some of these books. All of them have sequels (either published or in progress). Printing each of the series as single volumes would at least have been fairer and more honest.

To illustrate, "Uncle Sean" ends on page 196 with a footnote addressed to the main character Will Barnett (from whose journal written as a 14-year-old the book draws its story), imploring: "Will Barnett, if you are out there and can add to this story, I am sure your readers will join me in asking for more!" A similar device is employed in "Lance" (the sequel) which ends at page 190.