Customer Reviews

My Fathers Scar: A Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's novels like "My Father's Scar" that are the most moving to me. In reading from front to back in a single day, I found myself captivated by its masterful storytelling, its heightened yet subtle suspense, and the ways in which it works its reader with its sudden twists and turns, while never losing focus on the themes and lessons of life that it embodies in its main protagonist.

Andy Logan is a freshman in college plagued by memories of his childhood and development into a man; some of these memories are painful, while others provide him a glimpse into happier times that shaped his life in a positive manner. There are memories of his father and grandmother, both tyrannical and unrelenting, his mother, who has no choice but to side with his father, his uncle, whose vast interest in books sparks an interest in young Andy's mind, and Evan, the sole homosexual to come out in the entire town, but not the sole homosexual to reside there.

Evan becomes a pinnacle of fascination for Andy, which seques into feelings of love and wanting once Andy realizes what these feelings are. There experiences Evan goes through will shape his and Andy's life, and Andy will come to realize, right up to the novel's poignant ending, that there is a fine line between love and hate that sometimes goes unseen.

I valued the many nuances of this novel not for its simplicity, but for its ability to tell a story in such an involving way. Author Michael Cart uses present participles to tell the present-day sections of the story, while the memories of Andy's childhood and teenage years are told using past participles, enhancing the fact that these are experiences that have already happened as opposed to going on at that moment. This brings us more into Andy's mind as he takes his own, sometimes unavoidable, trips down memory lane.

And simple the novel is not, by no means. The writing may seem a step down from the throes of Hawthorne and Shakespeare, but it certainly does not take on a juvenile feel. The phrases and the syntactical elements used by Cart are marvelous in their underlining of the feelings Andy goes through during his childhood. Cart especially pays close attention to the feelings of the boy, as well as the relationships, be it friendship or boyhood love, with such devotion to the feelings and emotions that anyone, gay or straight, can relate to.

Cart must also be praised for his ability to hide the identity of the ending, keeping us at bay as to whether or not it will end on a high or low note. There are small hints which lead us to believe that either avenue is possible, and these will continue until the very last pages, leading us to an ending that (without giving it away) remains true to the rest of the material and is completely satisfying.

For me to be able to read this book as fast as I did is the mark of a truly interesting and satisfying read for me. I loved the characters of this novel and could relate to them on so many different levels. I wanted Andy to find the love he had been wishing for; I wanted to see him taken away from the oppression of his childhood, and while he was able to escape it physically, the novel examines the fact that, emotionally, there is no escape from our past.

"My Father's Scar" is a novel that has the look and feel of a teenage romance and coming-of-age story, but underneath everything, there is a powerful and complex message which rings true for people of all genders and orientations. The themes are well-presented and easily understood, while the characters are people we can care about and identify with in different ways. I loved this novel!

My Father's Scar is a wonderful dive into the mind of Andy Logan. He reaccounts his past, which is a mix of subtle humor, fear, confusion, and love, and his present life, which has many of the same qualities. I feel that if I get into too much detail that it will give the book away, but this one is one that everybody needs to read.

This is an exceptional book. I felt bad when it ended, as I wanted to read more, and would love to talk to the author in person. I could totally relate to the author, as I had a VERY similar upbringing, and found my first love to be someone that I was working with in a church setting! Awesome book..a good read for mature YA readers!

Michael Cart has written a beautifully crafted novel about the trials and tribulations of growing up gay. We follow the main character Andy through his awkward childhood to his equally awkward first year at college. All the while Andy dreams of the one person that he can truly love. Written with a young adult audience in mind,(Click on the hardcover edition to see the really nice cover artwork for the school and library edition)that dosen't prevent any adult fom enjoying or relating to Andy's story. I wish I had this book when I was growing up!

I absolutely loved this book. I had to sneak into the school library and asked a friend to borrow it for me so I could read it. It was, and always will be amazing. I immediately identified with Andy on two parts, seeing as how we both have some of the same characteristics. Thanks to this book and the wonderful lesson it teaches, I was able to lift my heart up high and finally feel good about myself. Thank you, Michael Cart. And please, write a sequel!!

I thought that "My Father's Scar" was beautifully written and portrayed the relationship of a young gay man growing up in a prejudiced community extremely well. I also found the writing to be exquisitely charasmatic, as well as believeable (which, I feel is important) in that the entire novel isn't purely composed of homoerotica. A must-read, "My Father's Scar" is deeply uplifting and encouraging for anyone who has ever felt alone. I especially recommend this book for any young gay men who are on the verge of coming out, this book is for you!

It's novels like "My Father's Scar" that are the most moving to me. In reading from front to back in a single day, I found myself captivated by its masterful storytelling, its heightened yet subtle suspense, and the ways in which it works its reader with its sudden twists and turns, while never losing focus on the themes and lessons of life that it embodies in its main protagonist.

Andy Logan is a freshman in college plagued by memories of his childhood and development into a man; some of these memories are painful, while others provide him a glimpse into happier times that shaped his life in a positive manner. There are memories of his father and grandmother, both tyrannical and unrelenting, his mother, who has no choice but to side with his father, his uncle, whose vast interest in books sparks an interest in young Andy's mind, and Evan, the sole homosexual to come out in the entire town, but not the sole homosexual to reside there.

Evan becomes a pinnacle of fascination for Andy, which seques into feelings of love and wanting once Andy realizes what these feelings are. There experiences Evan goes through will shape his and Andy's life, and Andy will come to realize, right up to the novel's poignant ending, that there is a fine line between love and hate that sometimes goes unseen.

I valued the many nuances of this novel not for its simplicity, but for its ability to tell a story in such an involving way. Author Michael Cart uses present participles to tell the present-day sections of the story, while the memories of Andy's childhood and teenage years are told using past participles, enhancing the fact that these are experiences that have already happened as opposed to going on at that moment. This brings us more into Andy's mind as he takes his own, sometimes unavoidable, trips down memory lane.

And simple the novel is not, by no means. The writing may seem a step down from the throes of Hawthorne and Shakespeare, but it certainly does not take on a juvenile feel. The phrases and the syntactical elements used by Cart are marvelous in their underlining of the feelings Andy goes through during his childhood. Cart especially pays close attention to the feelings of the boy, as well as the relationships, be it friendship or boyhood love, with such devotion to the feelings and emotions that anyone, gay or straight, can relate to.

Cart must also be praised for his ability to hide the identity of the ending, keeping us at bay as to whether or not it will end on a high or low note. There are small hints which lead us to believe that either avenue is possible, and these will continue until the very last pages, leading us to an ending that (without giving it away) remains true to the rest of the material and is completely satisfying.

For me to be able to read this book as fast as I did is the mark of a truly interesting and satisfying read for me. I loved the characters of this novel and could relate to them on so many different levels. I wanted Andy to find the love he had been wishing for; I wanted to see him taken away from the oppression of his childhood, and while he was able to escape it physically, the novel examines the fact that, emotionally, there is no escape from our past.

"My Father's Scar" is a novel that has the look and feel of a teenage romance and coming-of-age story, but underneath everything, there is a powerful and complex message which rings true for people of all genders and orientations. The themes are well-presented and easily understood, while the characters are people we can care about and identify with in different ways. I loved this novel!

The "scar" in the title is more than just a feature on the face of Andy's father. It is also a metaphor for the internalized homophobia and he must carry with him as he grows up and moves on to college. The effort Andy expends in trying to hide his own personal "scars" drives him to use himself in books and the rigors of running. Neither of these are bad things, but a toll is exacted on his social development. The one attachment he is able to forge during his childhood is destroyed when he is fearful of speaking out. He backs down from confrontation and plays "the good little boy" when the local pastor treats his best friend, Evan, unjustly. He even watches Evan being beaten almost to death and cannot bring himself to action because he is afraid that the other students will attack him as well. Although reading and running save his sanity while growing up, they also serve as a barrier to his full development. They define his identity and his world. As a result, he almost misses his chance at true love because he is unaware of the obvious signs around him.

It is a tribute to the "scars" we all carry.

Michael Cart captures well the way an alcoholic parent can shape a child through his teenage years and beyond. His descriptions of protagonist Andy Logan's attempts to manage and cope with his father's drinking problem ring true and avoid sentimental touches. For the most part, he also avoids the fantastical high school love affairs that frequently appear in young adult literature with gay subjects.

I enjoyed Cart's direct style very much. My only real complaint is that the story wraps up too quickly near the end, denying the developing character of Billy real complexity. Too many books spawn sequels, in my opinion, but I would love to see an expanded version of this book with Billy more fully developed, and the chance to really see Andy involved in his first relationship of equals.

Andy Logan, a loner who has made it through one year of college, reflects on his childhood in a small town and how it affected him. Andy was a fat kid who was an easy target for bullies like Eddie and Billy. He was loved by the adults because he was smart and groomed. But his home life was hell. His father Hal abused both him and his mother. His grandmother was unhappy and abusive to him and her son (Andy's father). The person who helps him explore his love of literature is his Uncle Charles. He has a collection of books that Andy escapes into.
When he turns twelve, he starts running. Not only has it kept his weight down, but it is what he does to avoid what is happening around him. He has a friend in Evan, whose younger brother Eddie torments him. His feelings for Evan are strong. Evan however, is forced to leave the community for being gay.
My Father's Scar explores homosexuality among teenagers and how they cope with their orientation. Andy knew that if he stayed any longer in his hometown, he would be an outcast. College is a haven where Andy feels he can be someone. But he searches endlessly for a loving relationship that he lacked in his family. The people that affect him help shape him to be the person that he is. I highly recommend this book for high school and college students.