Customer Reviews

The Soccer Field Is Empty

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

 

 

You'll think I'm nuts, but tears are welling up in my eyes and I'm trembling even as I write this review, thinking of the emotion and feelings that The Soccer Field Is Empty filled me with. It is without reservation the most powerful book of gay fiction I've ever read and its story has changed me forever.

The novel opens with a flashback and the first lines from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: "In fair Verona where we lay our scene..." This sets the entire tone for what turns out to be a modern-day interpretation of that tragedy-but for two boys in midwestern Verona, Indiana and not the ancient Italian town. It sets that specter of tragic inevitability in the reader's mind.

The story is incredibly moving and incredibly complex. We view the lives of these two boys-Mark and Taylor-through their own eyes in the form of a sort of ping-pong, back and forth between their journal entries. From their shy beginnings, through their happiness, their sorrow, their desperation and finally, their end. Roeder has weaved it all together into a constantly moving, roller-coaster ride of a story. I continue to marvel at how my emotions were torn back and forth, back and forth until I was almost left a wreck. I've never before read ANYTHING that at one point had me sobbing uncontrollably, inconsolably for over 20 minutes. That may sound alarming-and believe me, it was at the time-but I wouldn't trade the experience or this story for ANYTHING. The very fact that Mark Roeder could DO this to me is nothing less than miraculous and a testament to his prowess and God-given talent as a storyteller. I'm almost PLEADING with you to read this book.

In the end, the story serves as an incredible cautionary tale of what might happen when those "ancient prejudices" lead to tragedy. This book would be of so much value to anyone who can read it with an open heart and spirit; who would then take a chance at thinking about what LOVE really and truly is. One could only hope and pray that homophobes, gay bashers and even simply the ignorant or mis-informed could see the truth of what love can mean and what evil could come from their own thoughts and actions (or inactions)-and at the very least, just leave gay boys alone. God, if only that could happen and if only the story of this novel would never have to be mirrored in real life...

The Soccer Field is Empty is the kick-off of Roeder's Gay Youth Chronicles saga (it's actually an expanded and reworked edition of his earlier novel, Ancient Prejudice, Break to New Mutiny which only tells the story from one side). If you read this book first, you're on the right track. I think part of my emotional turmoil in reading this novel was the fact that I'd actually read Roeder's third novel, A Better Place, first-and it contained several "spoilers" which made Soccer Field very tough indeed. Please, PLEASE continue reading his books-they are amazing, and each has a different but important or even simply entertaining story to tell. I promise you that you'll not be disappointed. (See my review of A Better Place and others as I post them.)

The complete Gay Youth Chronicles series of six volumes (The Soccer Field is Empty, Someone is Watching, A Better Place, Someone is Killing the Gay Boys of Verona, Keeper of Secrets, and Do You Know That I Love You?) has provided the most enjoyable fictional world for me of anything I've ever read-the eternal saga of Verona, Indiana. I would wholeheartedly suggest you purchase and read ALL of them, and in the above order.

To the Author: Thank you for the lives of Mark and Tay. May their story be one that lives in my heart and the heart of your readers forever. May it be a story that changes the world...

I was told om Mark's books, and I didn't start with The Soccerfield Is Empty. But when I read it, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Both characters Mark and Taylor are well writen, Mark A Roeder does a excellent job with both characters. I highly recommend his books to straight boys/Men, I am straight and I like his books I read so far. Start with The Soccerfield Is Empty, and read his books in chronological order.

Praise the gods, Mark Roeder or his publisher finally hired a proofreader. This means that the 2002 version of this story is free of the annoying typos and spelling mistakes of all of the other works of this author (at least that I've read) and of the other stuff coming out of iUniverse. This particular story is an update of Roeder's first publication, which I have not read, but it shows superior advances in creativity and writing ability especially compared to the depressing "A Better Place" and the totally implausible "Do You Know That I Love You" which are all inter-connected in obscure and non-important ways. There are anachronisms in this book, set in 1980. Perhaps Mark does have a computer in his room, but, if so, it has to be connected to a Univac mainframe in the basement. Maybe people in rurual Indiana refer to "dudes", maybe not. The character names are a problem for the era, as well. If these guys are sixteen in 1980, it would be well ahead of the curve for their parents to name them Taylor, Devon, Brandon, et al, in 1964. Graymoor Mansion, itself a distraction, could not possibly stand for 100+ years with apparent unrestricted access with contents intact. Lastly as a criticism, Mark and Taylor, at 16, fall instantly and passionately in love on their first meeting, literally within seconds. . We wish! Still, Roeder delivers a moving, emotional, loving story. The tragic ending, while regretful, is part of that story. Having read some, but not all, of Roeder's youth chronicles, I sense that he is getting better, much, much, better, with each new work or update of his previous writing. This book is highly recommended.

This is my second Mark Roeder novel. I too read "A Better Place" prior to reading "The Soccer Field...". I enjoyed both pieces, however, I found "The Soccer Field..." somewhat redundant. The author tells us every other page how much these two guys love each other (we get it already). Even though the writing is relatively mediocre I must say I love Roeder's work. I have purchased every title in "The Gay Chronicles" and look forward to reading them as well. As an adult, I identify with so many of the situations presented in his books. They are real and true, I can also say as a teacher I see many of these situations occur on school campuses everyday. The books are great reading for straight readers as well, especially adoloscents, who would benefit greatly from reading these stories. Keep up the good work Mark. I highly recommend everyone who is sensitive to the issues presented here, pick up a copy and see some real life situations that so many kids in our schools today are going through. What Mr. Roeder depicts is not far from the truth!

"The Soccer Field Is Empty"is a very successful elaboration of Mark Roeder's shorter novel "Ancient Prejudice: Break to New Mutiny..." Whereas "Ancient Prejudice" is narrated by only one of te two major characters, "The Soccer Field" gives us this magnificent story incorporating the thoughts and feelings of both major characters, Mark and Taylor.It is like reading the personal diaries of both characters.This new technique of alterating narrators, which Roeder refers to as "dual first person" makes it possible for the author to go into more depth and thus more fully develop the personalities of his major characters. I have read both novels and although I really liked "Ancient Prejudice," I have to admit that telling that beautiful, emotional and haunting story from both major characters' points of view enriches the effect that this important story has on the reader...."The Soccer Field" is a great choice for the opening novel of the "Chronicles." Mark Roeder knows so well the thoughts and feelings of the gay teenage athlete. The expressions of prejudice found in this book so apply describe what all gays, especially teenage gays, have experienced. This is one novel that you will be not put down until you come to that tremendously emotional ending. I wonder if anyone could read this novel without at least tears. The story is captivating and easy to follow...I truly loved this book.I wish more people, gay or straight, could be exposed to Mark Roeders novels...It is powerful.

This book is bad even for [alternate lifestyle] book standards. ...save your money for some real quality material by quality authors like Patricia Nell Warren. Mark and Taylor act like basically the same person (despite the author's descriptions of Taylor as the "sensitive" one and Mark as the "jock" one - which he repeats over and over and over again). The dialogue is flat and unrealistic. It doesn't sound anything like kids talk in real life. I also was very disturbed by the messages the author is sending kids: Taylor and Mark have [physical activity] without any protection, and Mark says something like, "I know violence shouldn't be the answer, but sometimes it just is!"

This could have been a really good book because it had a great premise. And, because the basic storyline was stolen straight from Shakespeare, it also had a great basic storyline. But Roeder just didn't know what to do with the it all. He repeats himself constantly, grammatical and spelling errors run rampant (which I've found is usually to be expected from iUniverse authors), and the characters are all cardboard cutouts. These kids' parents barely even exist until they "discover" Mark and Taylor.

What else can I say? Plain, lackluster prose. Unnecessary scenes that just drag the book's momentum down. And repetition. I've pointed out the author's repetition three times in this review, just to give you an idea of what reading this book is like. He ran his vampire analogy ... into the ground. And he showed almost every scene in the book from both Mark and Taylor's perspectives - even the scenes in which both of them had the same opinion of what happened! It's ridiculous and totally unneeded. If you're going to [use] Shakespeare's plot, at least make it passable.

This tragic novel of a doomed love affair between two sixteen year-old boys is poorly written. The most annoying part of the writing is the constant repetition of feelings and personal references. The entire novel is the journal writing of each boy. Each boys obsesses about the other in almost the same way so each back and forth is merely a repetition of the first viewpoint. Also the relationships with others, once established, are referred to again a number of times using the same descriptions, such as referring to a couple of other boy friends as "brothers" and forever supporting them.

It is not enough that the two characters are attractive and the description of their love for each other is wholesome and pretty. The portrayal of their family and friends and their secret lives is realistic, but the characters become boring with constant repetition of the same emotions and expressions. Apparently this is only of a number of stories in the Chronicles of Gay Youth series by the author. A description of the stories in this series is displayed at the end of the book. It appears that other characters from this story carry on. One wonders of t he style is the same.

The story of Mark and Taylor will always emboss in the bottom of my heart!!

The first book I read from Roeder was "Someone is Watching" instead of Ethan and Nathan I was more addicted to Mark and Taylor by the time I was reading it, but now the passion is growing even bigger! The more I read, "The soccer flied is empty" the more I love Mark and Taylor.

First, loving someone is really hard, and being love with the person you dream about is even harder, reading about Mark and Taylor give me hopes that there is really true love in this world. The way they acted between themselves, the way the look upon others... is just more than everything in the world. It felt so real when I read it!! Roeder able to create an environment that is believable, which makes you think you are a part of the story!!

Although they ended in way I never wanted to, but it still can't stop you from liking reading!!

The only problem I had with the book is the cover, most of the reader would just buy the cover because of the cover, I have noticed this book for while, however the cover just turned me off!! Until I read, "Someone is Watching", I realized it was about Mark and Taylor, which it is a must I have to buy a bad cover!!!!
BUT the story is great... any

This is a great casual read. Roeder does a very good job of conveying the conflicting feelings that all teens have in their relationships. He also does a great job of building up enough sympathy for the main characters that you definately feel moved at the end of this Romeo and Juliet tribute.

I don't mind giving away the end because Roeder's references to Romeo and Juliet begin in the very first sentence.

This isn't high literature but it is very effective and you will cry in the end.

I couldn't believe how this book made me feel. It was like the author somehow got inside my head. I felt like the characters were my friends. I laughed and cried and never wanted it to end. I can only guess that the few negative reviews there are of this book were written by those who are anti-gay in an attempt to keep readers away. This book is absolutely awesome! Buy it, read it, and then give it to a friend!