Customer Reviews

The Value of X

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The reader below, "Faye," couldn't be further off the mark when she says Poppy Brite has lost her voice. Actually, the personal remarks about "watch her chase her tail" and alienating her fans make me think Faye is probably one of the vocal minority of "fans" Poppy has nuked in her online blog for whining about the fact that she doesn't write about vampires anymore, but no matter. It was never the "adjectives and adverbs" that made Brite's voice the special thing it was, and her voice and unshakable sense of her characters shine more brightly than ever in the Liquor series, to which "The Value of X" is a sort of pre-sequel. "The Value of X" isn't quite as good as "Liquor" or "Prime," but it's a mere amusebouche while the latter books are masterful entrees. I can't wait for the next book in the series, "Soul Kitchen." Personal taste is personal taste, but anyone who can't see that "The Value of X" and the books following it are a giant step up from "Lost Souls" et al simply doesn't know anything about good writing. Bring on "Soul Kitchen" Poppy - your REAL fans are waiting eagerly, not at all alienated by the fact that you speak your mind about the less enlightened ones!

The first PZB tale I read was "Lost Souls", over a decade ago. In the time since then, she has been called a "Queen of Vampire Erotica", which is not fair, as only one of her ten original books even has vampires in it. She has dealt with vampires, zombies, spooky cats, the Beatles, and a coroner alter-ego named Dr. Brite.

PZB has been one of my favorite writers since the first time I read Lost Souls back in the early 90s. Each volume she releases, be it a simple chapbook or a 300 page novel, shows growth and more depth.

In Value of X, PZB continues her departure away from the horror tales of her early career. X is the story of (John) Rickey, and (Gary) G-Man Stubbs, two residents of New Orleans, and best friends since the fourth grade.

Rickey and Gary are not just best friends. They are gay and in love with each other, only they don't realize it. The secret each holds - that he is in love with the other - is complicated by the fact that all of their other friends spout homophobic slurs on a daily basis, and neither knows the other is gay.

After they finally figure it out, they become inseperable ... much to the annoyance of Rickey's mother and Gary's parents. A plan is hatched to drive them apart, by sending one of them across the country, while the other must stay in New Orleans, both missing each other terribly and wondering if they will ever see each other again.

This book is part one of a trilogy, which includes Value of X, Liquor, and The Big D. Liquor, the second book in the series, was actually written first. Absolutely typical of what I've come to expect from Poppy.

5 stars, and well worth your time. Brilliantly written and engaging, these characters will stay with you for a long time to come.

"The Value of X" is a lovely, sweet-natured tale that precedes Brite's longer, more widely available novels "Liquor" and "Prime," exploring characters Rickey and G-Man's early relationship and how they began cooking in restaurants. You need not have read it to enjoy the later novels, but it will add an extra dimension to your enjoyment of them. While its tone is different from the other two, Brite's affection for these likeable characters (and their families) is wonderfully evident in everything she has written about them.

Poppy is a talented writer who is not limited to one genre.
Everyone grows and changes, and Poppy Z. Brite and her writing are no exception. If the things you loved about Poppy's previous books were the believeable settings, the richly painted characters that made you care about them, and the suspense of what comes next, then you'll likely enjoy "The Value of X". The only slicing and dicing done here are in the kitchen, but even the peripheral characters are interesting enough to make you want to get to know them better. The issues that crop up in the boys relationship could apply to *any* relationship - gay, straight, young or old. I was disappointed only when the story ended, as I wanted to find out what happens next for them. For that, I have to wait for "Liquor" to come out in 2004, though there is a short story in "The Devil You Know" which is out now. If all you want is dark gothy horror, then this gem is not for you. If your horizons are broader than that, make sure you get this before it's gone.

I just finished reading The Value of X. Poppy Z. Brite is totally holding on to her spot as one of my favorite writers. I don't particularly enjoy the whole gay love story aspect of it not that I'm against it so much just that I don't "get it" or relate to it, but the story and the setting in which it takes place really is told in such a way that a little part of me lives in that time and space. That's the kind of writing I dig. I am looking forward to getting my paws on Liquor, her latest book and a continuation of the story of the characters I feel like I now know.

I certainly hope that no one will heed the advice of the incredibly mean-spirited and bitter woman who seems to think she knows what is best for a writer's career, or for someone to write. Perhaps Poppy Z. Brite, one of America's finest writers, spurned her advice or something. Frankly, I am appalled that amazon allows such things to be posted on these pages.

I thought this book was beautiful in every aspect; the characters, the story, and its breathtaking view of a New Orleans that sadly might now be a thing of the past. But fortunately, Poppy gifted all of us with not only this book, but the ones that follow in this amazing series to always remind us of what this city once was--especially the now gone lower 9th ward.

I am sorry that Ms. Lewis was too busy choking on her own bile to see this book for what it truly is; an inspired new direction for one of our best writers.

I for one applaud her for having the courage to move in a new direction rather than write something she doesn't feel anymore.

This book can be enjoyed by everyone either employed or fired from some eatery anywhere. Suffice to say that Amazon does no one any favors by pigeon-holing this warm portrait of struggling restaurant employees in strictly non-hetero terms. These two characters can be appreciated by all. Poppy Z. Brite is a writer well worth investigating and appreciating on your own. Her prose is precise and never overblown.

I loved this book, it was beautiful and unlike any of her other books. It's not horror, which has upset some of her "old fans" but it's nice to see a writer turn a new leaf. To those that doubt Doc Brite's abilities I have to say this, I don't think that they would be teaching Poppy Z. Brite's story "the Ax Man's Jazz" among other New Orleans literature at my university if they didn't think she was a competent writer.

thanks for reading,
Beth Tierney

The most frequent comment I've read of the novel is that it's a "coming of age tale of two young boys". The phrase makes me laugh a little, mostly because I feel the characters of the book, John Rickey and Gary "G-Man" Stubbs, would hate hearing it as much as I believe the author, Mrs. Brite, might.

The story introduces us to John, Gary, and their families, and sets the stage for life as adults, as friends and lovers, as well as their introduction to the culinary world.
I read this after finishing Poppy's follow up novel, Liquor, so I was already aquainted with both G-Man and Rickey, and it probably helped me to enjoy this novel a little more since I was already familiar with the plot and was concentrating more on the characters themselves.

Taken by itself, the novel comes across to me as a little bit light, but I think that it lays some very important groundwork for the boy's relationship and aspirations that will pay off for readers in later novels, like Liquor, which follows the two through the opening of their first restaurant, and the forthcoming The Big D. For me this works, as if each entry is another glimpse of a much larger whole that will be filled in as time goes by.

The liquor series is a fair bit different from poppy's earlier, horror work- but every bit as enthralling! i highly suggest reading liquor first, since this is the prequel. even if you're not already in love with ricky and g-man, you'll adore all the back history this suplies for the rest of the series.