Customer Reviews

Strings Attached

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Seventeen year old Jeremy Tyler is being given the "second chance" of a lifetime, moving from the Fresno home of his alcoholic, irresponsible single mom, to the Los Angeles area beachfront mansion of his rich Aunt Katherine. Aunt Katherine and her husband Bill also acted as surrogate parents to his father Jonathan, who died in an unfortunate accident on a winding mountain road when Jeremy was an infant. Jeremy wants to be a man of whom his aunt can be proud, just like his father, whom he resembles and shares many interests. He works on developing a good relationship with his interacial girlfriend, Reed, hoping that they will prove that an attraction he had to better looking, gregarious guys was just envy rather than an indication of sexual orientation. While his aunt and uncle are very kind to him, Jeremy becomes closest to Katherine's butler, Alfred, a somewhat mysterious gay man who is a former marine officer and seems to have an uncanny knack for anticipating everyone's needs. One day, Jeremy receives a call from his mother in rehab, warning him that he is in danger from Katherine's husband, Bill, and that it is likely he was responsible for his father's death. Jeremy doesn't know what to think, suspecting his mother is intentionally poisoning his mind against his aunt and uncle in order to retain her hold on him ... and to get her hands on the sizeable trust inheritance he'll see when he turns 18.

A detailed, engaging and highly original first novel, including the ultimate dysfunctional family in a tale of coming out, coming of age, working toward a goal and responsibility. The author pushes a similarity to the original story of "Pinocchio," an unnecessary gimmick that fortunately doesn't add confusion to the already-complex nature of the story. Realistic, flawed characters, a fast pace and a developing mystery make this a real page-turner as well. Looking forward to more works by this talented author.

Jeremy Tyler is seventeen, poor and living in Fresno with his alcoholic mother. When she goes into rehab, he is shipped off to his wealthy great aunt Katherine's, who is intent on making sure that he knows the difference between Ivy-league and a bowling league. What we have here is a coming-of-age/coming out/mystery novel all rolled into one that never slows down. The plot does not drag, and there are enough surprises for the most jaded reader. The students at Ballena Beach High, where Katherine enrolls Jeremy, are perfect in every way: perfect bodies, perfect teeth, handsome faces. Teenage acne is as foreign as riding on public transportation. But perhaps that is as it should be since the author in his notes at the end of the novel says that the story is based on the fable of Pinocchio, the wooden puppet (hence the title) who becomes a real boy. Mr. Nolan, a former social worker, is presenting to the reader young Jeremy whom he describes as a "codependent" teen who wishes to become a real man. Had I not read the author's notes, I would have missed both the illusions to Pinocchio and the fact that I was to believe that the sweet Jeremy is "codependent," an amporphous term at best. If you were not aware of Mr. Nolan's reasons for writing this good first novel, it would not in any way affect your enjoyment of it.

In addition to a good plot, the novel also has some characters who either are decent to begin with or who grow and become better: Arthur is an example of the former; Jeremy's mom and aunt, the latter. Like Alex Sanchez' series of RAINBOW novels, STRINGS ATTACHED deserves to be read by young people struggling with coming out and dealing with their sexuality.

Who is this guy? Yeah. Nick Nolan seemingly comes out of nowhere to serve up the can't-put-it-down read I've been craving. I often wonder when gay fiction will just be fiction (sans "gay") and this book takes us one step closer. Nolan has crafted a page turner that pulled me in with just enough intrigue and seduction that I didn't really want it to end. The book is a fun read, perfect for a long flight or lounging around over a weekend. The storyline, without giving it away, reminded me a bit of the noir essence from the works from Felice Picano, while also delivering the steamiest flesh from watching the OC (with the volume off). Nolan's attention to detail is refreshing--he knows what he writes. I noted that Nolan gives thanks to the late Paul Monette am certain had Monette lived to read this book he would smile upon finishing the last page, knowing that the depth and emotion he shared in his own works has indeed influenced others. Check it out.

i give it 3-1/2 stars. the writing is simple and accessible. the story is pretty simple even tho it grows out of some pretty heavy issues: alcholism, drug trafficking, gay teenage identity. NONE of these "heavies" weigh the story down, however: this is NOT a depressing or sad book at all. indeed, i thoroughly enjoyed it and a few scenes made my palms sweat a little!

my complaints:

(a) it's a teen story "made" adult by the addition of sexual situations. puhleeze. the idea that these scenes make the book "adult themed" is ludicrous and homophobic. i'm not adverse to reading a gay teen "coming of age" book at all, but call a teen book a teen book and don't insult your reader's intelligence.

(b) the end is a total writing cop out. ALL THOSE DAMN PAGES developing the story and the end is paltry, third-person, 5 page explanation. weak! REALLY weak!

(c) my personal pet peeve: males are "blond". females are "blonde". DRAG QUEENS are allowably "blonde". ALL OF YOU SO-CALLED "EDITORS" OUT THERE MAKE A FREAKIN' NOTE OF THE LANGUAGE ALREADY! BUY A DICTIONARY!

to end positively, i really did enjoy the book, and i think it's solid enough to justify the purchase.

i'm a big review reader, good and bad, when it comes to certain items, (i.e. dvd, books, music, etc.)anyways after reading a few good and somewhat bad reviews for this book, i decided to just take a chance, and bought it. And after reading the book i was glad that i had, i found it funny and very easy to read, it was simple and well written and actually very believeable...this is my first book by this author, so i was a little worried naturally, but it turned to be well worth it and i'm glad i took the chance to read it, i've got to give Mr. Nolan props on his effort and i hope to read more from him in the future...i hope this will be helpful to those who are doubting whether or not to take the same chance i had been contemplating when looking over this book...believe me when i say, take the chance!

This is billed as a coming-of-age/coming-out mystery. This is actually nothing more than a gay teenage romance novel. The mystery plays only a small part in this book and is poorly developed and seems thrown together as an afterthought. It had good reviews, and I expected a well written novel. It was not.

I bought this book last year and never got around to reading it. My partner read it and then put it back on the shelf, he never really talked about it. I grabbed it to read on our vacation last week and when he saw it in my bag he said, "oh you will love that book, it's a great story". He was right! Wonderful easy read, it took me about two days to finish it. If you like a mystery twisted in with some serious family drama, wrapped up in a hot hot sounding young swimmer, you will like this book.

Jeremy Tyler, seventeen years old remembers neither the wealth into which he was born, nor his father who died two years after he was born, all he knows is a life of poverty living alone with his alcoholic mother, a life of missed meals, tattered clothes and little love. But the day he comes home from school to find his mother collapsed and near death's door is the day everything changes for him. With his mother facing a six months recovery in hospital he finds himself sent away to be cared for by his wealthy aunt in her luxury villa on the California coast near Los Angeles.

He steps immediately into a life of privilege and promise, loved, adored and guided by his aunt, and with the help and support of Aurthur the family butler, his natural good manners, pleasing disposition and unspoilt charms blossom. He quickly makes friends at his new school, and proves himself a valued member of the swimming team.

But not all is plain sailing for Jeremy. Questions arise concerning his uncle Bill, is he all he seems, can he be trusted? Of more immediate worry though is Jeremy's sexuality, despite his strange fascination with boys he refuses to accept that he is gay. The openly gay Carlo, his first real new school friend, is convinced Jeremy is gay too, but Jeremy sets out out prove himself with a steady girl friend - despite the arousing fantasies he has centred on the handsome Cody, his swim team companion. But Jeremy still has a lot to learn about other people and himself; he will discover who can and who can't be trusted, and who his real friends are, who is true love is, and who he himself really is.

Strings Attached is a charming read, based on the traditional Pinocchio tale, is itself a delightful fairly story in which in typical fashion our hero comes triumphantly through all his trials and troubles. A fairy story complete with fairy-godmother Aurthur the gay butler, and the wicked all consuming uncle Bill. It is filled with interesting and well developed characters including the self-centred jock Cody; the two gossipy and often catty girls who take Jeremy under their wings; the fabulous and flamboyant Carlo, the beautiful Mexican boy who hopes to win over Jeremy; and the seemingly perfect Aurthur, Jeremy's guide and guardian, alway with the right answers, always in the right place at the right time.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, a well written book that is hard to put down, a book that is full of surprises, a book that is fast moving and wastes no time stating the obvious but moves ahead quickly yet cramming in much detail and interest along the way, but above all an involving and very touching tale - highly recommend.

This tale of a teenage boy coming out and coming of age is well done and well written. Added to the problems of his sexuality, Jeremy has to deal with an alcoholic mother, moving to a new town to live with his aunt and uncle and dealing with the mysteries surrounding his father's death and his uncle's business. While true mystery fans may not find this very satisfying as a mystery, it is very good in other ways and there are interesting twists at the end.

I have an affinity for Fairy Tales, from the Brothers Grimm to Disney animation to Jay Ward's "fractured" variety...even Steven Moffat's whimsical slant on Doctor Who. So when I read that Nick Nolan's Strings Attached was a modern-day Pinocchio tale, I was immediately drawn to the book. It wasn't until I had requested it for review that I realized it was categorized as Gay Fiction...something I probably should have picked up on from the cover image.

I wasn't bothered by the subject matter, but I was a bit concerned that there might be explicit sex scenes in the story, a prospect I didn't find appealing. As it turns out, there are a few scenes, but they're depicted in a way that didn't put me off the book. In fact, the portrayal of Jeremy attempting to masturbate to fantasies of his girlfriend only to find that his imagination escapes his intention, turning to visions of a male friend--prompting his climax--was not only clever, but appropriately genuine.

The references and connections to Pinocchio are interesting, but pretty vague. In an afterword, Nolan spells out most of them--at least, the obvious ones--and none seem particularly forced...though, frankly, none seem particularly clever or relevant, either. I would go so far as to say the entire afterword added nothing to my appreciation of the story, especially when Nolan felt it necessary to reveal the true meaning of the two appearances of a small boat near the end of the story.

The story is peopled with attractive characters--stunning Hollywood types, it seems, from their lascivious descriptions--and the attractiveness quotient almost divides along the lines of "bad people are ugly and attractive people are good!" That's a bit overplayed on my part--there are characters who break that mold--but ultimately the story seems to be populated by teenage gods and goddesses. Jeremy's story centers around the adolescent success fantasy: some day, someone will come along and give me all the things I deserve just because of who I am. It doesn't go so far as to have Jeremy discover his "real" parents, but it's not far from that.

But the real fantasy--the real Fairy Tale here--is the idea that a teenage boy could go from being in complete denial about his sexuality to embracing it wholeheartedly, even being at peace with it in a matter of months, especially since those months are depicted as being fraught with events that confuse him even further. In addition, as part of that transformation, he not only seems to find his True Love, but apparently is on the verge of entering the world of wanton sexual behavior that so many gay-bashers believe is the norm for homosexual males.

In his afterword, Nolan says the impetus for the book came from the idea of giving teenage homosexuals something they could read and relate to, and from that perspective the book succeeds marvelously: overall--not counting explicit sex acts, language, and violence--it reads like YA material, with enough adventure, excitement, and fantasy to keep a teenager enthralled, especially if they relate closely to Jeremy's dilemma. In a world where we regularly hear stories of young gay males being tortured or bullied to their death, the fantasy of Strings Attached just might be enough to make them realize the message that "things get better," and deter them from taking extreme action to end the bullying.

If Strings Attached can reach just one of those kids and change his mind, there isn't a rating system in the world that can measure its value.