Customer Reviews

Telling Tales Out of School

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

 

 

Telling Tales is an outstanding collection of moving stories about being gay in school. Kevin Jennings has proven himself as an editor with his earlier book, One Teacher in Ten, and he delivers again here. It is relevant to anyone interested in gay and lesbian studies and/or education.

Regardless of your sexual orientation, even if you were just perceived as different or the oddball in the crowd, this book strikes a nerve. Everyone feels they had it bad until you read of other peoples journeys. I recommend this book to everyone. I don't look at it as depressing but it is comfort to know that as a small towm boy I was not the only one.

This book gives the impression that it has more to say. But it never really does. For some, it certainly will be a wonderful validation of a kindred type of experience. I grew a little bored with each individualized story that all to soon seemed to sound like the next. My purpose for choosing this book, was not fullfilled, I found it witty, even charming, poignant, but lacking.

After reading "Farm Boys", this book didn't compare. "Farm Boy's" was genuine and from the heart stories of growing up on a farm. "Telling Tales Out of School" I think was everyone's attempt to write. They all could have been stories for magazines, etc. They seemed to want to make their stories humorous, and/or then they all wanted to be radical homosexuals and save others. I don't need that. I just wanted to compare stories. I got nothing from it and scanned most of the stories after reading the first few. And I certainly did not care to read any of the stories from lesbians.