Customer Reviews

Tale of Two Summers

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wish that a novel like this had been around when I was in high school. Author/director/screenwriter Brian Sloan (WTC View, I Think I Do) writes a satisfyingly dense story of a summer in the lives of two bets friends: gay (and newly out) Hal, and Chuck, the straight "wonderboy."

I'm not usually one for books written entirely in emails, letters, diary entries etc. but it works in this book; the heroes are corresponding via a blog, they get more detailed when explaining what's going on in their lives.

The novel is also notable because it explores the friendship between a gay teen and his straight friend. This is such a rare phenomena to depict, it makes the book feel ex. I did relate in many ways as this book reinded me so much of a one of my most important friendships, right down to Hal's neediness. Sloan really gets it. I think Hal may have been just slightly better developed a character than Chuck, but that may just be because part of me was more interested in his tale.

This an excellent, frank and very readable novel. I read it in two days because I kept wanting to see what happened next. The best thing is that nothing works out the way I thought it would. Despite this being targeted for the Young Adult age bracket, I'd recommend this for us "grown-ups" as well. When a book's this good, everybody should take a chance and read it.

I am a literature student in the University of California and one of the things that I look forward to most about my vacations is being able to read 'fun' books that no self-respecting professor would have on a sylabus. For my spring break, one of the novels that I blind w/o any knowledge (besides amazon's descriptions) was 'A Tale Of Two Summers' which has honestly become one of my favorite books - over the course of three days I read the book twice.

The book follows the summer adventures of two best friends (one striaght, one gay) as they spend their first summer apart in almost 10 years. Both of the boys are 15 years-old, and they are going through the struggles of lust, love, and lonelyness, while trying to find their niche in the world. While the book had many personal touches that I could relate to (I am gay and met my own 'Henri' several months ago), beyond that, the story not only have a very frank portrayal of a budding gay relationship. But, it also touches on the realism of gay life, sex, and relationships.

But beyond that it shows a beautiful story of two friends bonding, despite the distance placed between them for the summer as they fall in and out of love.

The format... teens writing on a Blog to describe their summer was an intriguing idea. I've read "journaled fiction" (did I just create a genre) before and found it to be inventive. This is my first with blogjournalizedfic (I totally made that one up). He did.. Mr. Sloan that is. I had a vested interest in the book (enjoy coming out stories and musical theater and spend ample time on the internet and carrying on significant relationships via email while seprated from loved ones to know). Some plot choices the author made - a straight musical theater freak who obsesses about Sondheim ... were quietly inspired. He avoided a cliche there (but there is some reason that drama clubs are so creative - give it up for the gays). He also has a wit about him plugging in cultural references without taking the reader (especially an over 40 guy like me) so far into teen lingo I didn't know what the heck was being said. One of my favorite lines was something to the effect that Hal was dangerously close to having a realtionship with Henri where he was "Whitney to Henri's Bobby" or something like that. ROTFL (I learned that from the book). That's a tase of this author's skill. I'll read more of this stuff and reccomend this book to my teen students and all the kids at the theater conservatory. One not familiar with that arena might be at a loss to Chuck's missives about Sondheim.. but to the initiated we get it. Bravo on this work.

When I first came across this book, I was skeptical. Mainly due to the format. How interesting can two teenagers blog entries really be? Okay, sure it can be interesting, but for how long? Will it seem forced? Still, it intrigued me to see just how it was done.

Needless to say, after only reading the first few pages, my initial thoughts seemed to go away. The blog entries worked. However, it's not until you really delve into this story that you realize, that the blog entry is merely a device (and I mean that in a good way). The gem here is the story, and the two lead characters. Allowing the story to unfold through their blog entries, allows these characters and their lives to become real and easy to relate to. You feel as if you are reading a real person's thoughts, emotions, and opinions. Adding to the realism are the countless pop culture references from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Halo, Scream, and Spider-Man. It reminds you that this is taking place in our world. All of this works.

I hate reviews that recap a story that is already recapped on the page itself (or in someone else's reviews), so I won't do that. Suffice it to say, it's raw emotion. The characters allow themselves to express themselves in a way that really draws you to both of them. There are moments where you'll laugh. There are moments where you'll be thinking "I've done that", or "I've been there". Then there are moments where you can feel your heart drop for Hal and Chuck.

Sadly, the majority of the people who will buy or read this book will be those from the gay community. I say sadly, because this is the kind of book that should not be limited to just the gay community. It should be enjoyed by all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. It's a tale of love, loyalty, and growing up. But above all else, it's a story about friendship. Something anyone and everyone can relate to.

I've just finished reading "Tale of Two Summers" and I miss Hal and Chuck. When I miss the characters, I know I've read a great book. I read a great many books, but I keep only those that I consider superior. I have less than twenty such books on my shelf, but "Tale of Two Summers" is joining them.

I really liked this book! I liked Chuck and Hal's friendship. I also liked their experiences that they shared on their blog. I mainly got this book for the plot and the blog writings. I would like to see the author write a sequel(in the blog format),maybe 1 of them could be visting colleges and the other in a Study Abroad program?

Chuck and Hal are two 15 year olds, best friends since first grade, who are separated for six weeks for the first time this summer, as Chuck attends a live-in drama workshop at a university. They decide to keep in touch via a web blog, which Chuck titled "Tale of Two Summers", and the book is made up entirely of their daily postings to each other for the six week session.

Most of their early postings are about their missing each other, and recollections of past New Years when Hal tearfully came out as gay to his straight best friend. Their loneliness quickly gives way to possibilities for love, as Hal meets a flirtatious, bohemian French exchange student, Henri, right about the same time that Chuck becomes interested in Ghaliyah. an beautiful and exotic girl whose character plays against his in the camp's play. Of course, first loves rarely go smoothly, and the friends encourange and help each other through considerable anguish and miscues through their writings on the blog.

A delightful, well-written coming-of-age story with a positive message about relationships of all kinds, which I give extra points for providing excellent role models for gay/straight best friends. Deals with sexual situations, but appropriate for all ages from junior high and up.

A wonderful, sweet novel. I read most popular gay fiction, and this is one of my recent favorites. Although the principal characters are far younger than I, the fresh take on their discovery of romance kept me interested and involved. I was sorry it ended... write a sequel, Mr. Sloan, or a screenplay!

what I enjoyed most about this book was the narrative in the form of blog. just enough of a difference to make it fun.

Very good book illustrating the friendship between two teenage friends and how they keep in touch once they are separated for a month during summer.
Great read. Don't miss it!