Customer Reviews

That's Mr. Faggot to You : Further Trials from My Queer Life

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Michael Thomas Ford's sequel to "Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me" is addictive reading. The anecdotes that he presents from his life are beyond merely humorous; they reflect his mature insight and remarkable sense of jaded wit. Mr. Thomas doesn't endeavor to simply bring a smile to your face -- his articulate commentary reflects his point of view on a great variety of subjects that run the gamut from lazy pets to the evolution of what it means to be gay. A must-read. I can only hope that there is more to come.

This is a very funny look at gay life and getting older. It is not just for gay people, everyone will find truths in this book.... like finding all the groups you watched on MTV are suddenly moved to VH1 and you have trouble understanding MTV. Following Mr. Fords lead friends and I play the "I remember when" game and bore the "youngsters" the the room mad! I can't wait for the next book.

Ford moves beyond the Dark Curtain that seems to have descended sometime in the late `Eighties and early `Nineties into a joyous celebration of life as it is and always has been among us. He examines the world we live in not through any perceived or special angle but through us as "Beings-in-the-World." Certainly, he makes concessions for our unique perspectives, and, particularly, our fears, but what sentiment comes across more than any in this collection is our realization that we all - gay, straight, whatever - make our own unique way in this world, while at the same time proving that we are all human, that we all share the same laughter, the same disappointments and the same ability to look upon one another with a cynical and still-loving eye. This book is a joy. Read it, laugh, be wry, and weep. Ford is a master of the well-chosen word, and he provides his essays with a geography of irony few can match. The only reason I gave his book a four instead of a five is because in this milieu we cannot afford to even joke about violence towards others, even towards those who are violent towards us. Let's take the high road.

I really loved Ford's last book, Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me, so I was afraid his new one wouldn't be as good. Well, I'm happy to say I was wrong. This one is even better. While the pieces are still very personal, many of them are more political and more thought-provoking than the essays in Alec. Ford has taken a big step forward as a writer, and whether he's writing about the Religious Right or his fascination with Wynonna Judd, he does it with a style and intelligence unmatched by anyone else out there. I just hope he's working on a novel next! Better yet, someone needs to get this guy a gig writing for Hollywood.

This is one of the best books I have read in a while. The book is structured as a series of (loosely) related essays, which are written with sensitivity, outrage, whimsy and insight. It is an extremely good read. NON-GAY READERS SHOULD NOT BE PUT OFF BY THE TITLE. This book is not a gay-o-rama, though it deals with the subject where appropriate. If you like this, read its brother _Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me_.

THAT'S MR. FAGGOT is an essential read for both queer and straight readers. Anyone who can write a book with that name should be given a big kiss. I wasn't disappointed at all. There's something for everyone in this novel: dogs, butches, femmes, cybersex, tennis, toys, and so on and so forth. Ford has a very witty and subtley moralistic way of perceiving and writing about his surroundings. Even though the essays are full of laughs, there's definitely something to be learned from each of them. MR. FAGGOT shows a lighter side of Ford's queer life without completly ignoring the seriousness of it; it proves that we can laugh about our lives, rather than take it too seriously. Without deconstructing it too much, my point is that MR. FAGGOT is a most stimulating read and should be read by everyone, including every Republican right-winger out there...

Michael Thomas Ford is not only funny but his humoresque take on gay life is so dead on it is frightening how honest and true it is. Highly recommended! You may not agree with everything he says but you'll at least laught for the his honesty and comedic view on gay life. Even though this book is a couple of years old it is still very fresh and funny. Do yousrself a huge favor and read at least one of his "My Queer Life" books, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I certainly wasn't and I doen't give authors five star ratings very easily, unless it is well deserved. I would love to see his mini essays transfered into a one-person stage show. I think it would do very well.

After reading, and greatly enjoying, Ford's previous collection of essays, "Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me," I wondered whether subsequent volumes would maintain the same level of quality. "That's Mr. Faggot To You" did not disappoint. Ford comes across as a gay Everyman, gamely confronting the slings and arrows that assault gay men and women in this country on a daily basis. But his caustic wit is leavened with a disarming objectivity, preventing his essays from degenerating into sermons. It's not often that I begin and finish reading a book on the same day, but this was one of those occasions.

I have to say that this book had me quoting passages to my family until they couldn't stand it. Ford has a way of making his books readable to anyone, gay or straight. My brother even laughed at my favorite story about the Lavendar soap (you MUST read it to appreciate it). I wrote an email to Ford, and he actually was nice enough to respond. I hope to see him in person someday so I may shake his hand.

I recommend all of his books (Alec Baldwin doesn't love me) - they are very funny, well written and really amusing. I am constantly disappointed by gay humorous books (like Bob smith's lame book) but Mr. Fordn never disappoints.

Since the chapters are so short it is great for reading on the train or before bed.

I can't wait for his next one.