Customer Reviews

Where The Boys Are

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

While it helps to have read Mr. Mann's earlier novel, "The Men From the Boys," because the main characters carry over, this book stands on its own. Since the narrative progresses in chapters which are told in the first-person by several of the characters -- and this device really works well in telling the story -- this is one of those books you have a hard time putting down.

There is something compelling about each of the half dozen main characters that propels you forward to uncover the next revelation. Mr. Mann uses his keen insights into the gay culture to address important issues like how gay men grow and mature, and he incisively describes the difficulties in maintaining the kinds of communication necessary to nurture healthy relationships between partners and among friends. Sounds kinda heavy, and it is, but the several story lines going on provide a lot of juicy entertainment as well.

When I finished "The Men From the Boys," I wanted the story to go on so I could see if these guys could get their acts together. I got my wish with "Where the Boys Are," but I'm hoping there's a third act in the wings. The issues Mr. Mann raises warrant more of the kind of continuing dialogue on this that he's so great at delivering.

William Mann's premise in this novel is that gay people have our own families apart from biological ones, that we make our own rules up as we go and that we will make mistakes. Mr. Mann expounds on this by continuing the story he began in THE MEN FROM THE BOYS. Jeff and Lloyd have now lost their best friend Javitz to AIDS but must somehow continue without him. Mr. Mann introduces new prominent characters, Henry, Eva and Anthony as well as the subjects of circuit parties, drugs in the gay community, barebacking, new age jargon, gay bashing, internalized homophobia, "fag hags," male prostitution and what is described as "sacred sex workers." Yes, the chef emptied out the entire refrigerator to make this pot of soup.

For my money, the character Anthony works very well and is one of the best things about the story. Mr. Mann handles the mystery and intrigue surrounding his background very well. He is not so successful in the portrayals of Eva and Henry. Eva is so needy and manipulative as to be for the most part totally obnoxious. And I groaned when Henry became what he calls a sacred sex worker.

Also, Mann ties all the threads up too quickly in the end, I thought-- was he running out of pages? On the other hand, I've read dozens of gay novels that were neither as entertaining or well written as this one.

I loved "The Men From the Boys" so I was looking forward to any new book by William J. Mann. I was thrilled when I discovered that on top of everything the new book ("Where the boys are") was going to be a sequel to the one I loved ("The Men..."). What a disappointment! "Where the Boys Are" seems to be written by somebody else.

Some of the characters have the same names (Jeff, Lloyd, the ghost of Javitz, and very vague references to Eduardo, Tommy, etc.) but that's about the only thing the two books have in common!

(Mis)Using a narrative technique taken from Faulkner's "As I lay dying", we get to see the events from inside three character-narrators (Jeff, Lloyd & Henry) but instead of introspection and personal points of view, we get shallowness and confusion -especially since it changes from one to the other every few pages, before the reader can get a feel for the character. Since there is no introspection, it doesn't make a difference who is narrating, only confusion as to who the "I" on that page refers to!

In addition, each of these three character-narrators gets into an irritating 'dialogue' (?!) with the reader, teasing her or him on what they will share or not share with her/him, etc.

Paradoxically, this approach of getting inside the characters -to get to know them better- leaves the reader with the impression that there is nothing there making the characters far less likeable than in the previous book.

I found it difficult to put this book down once I began reading it. I was so captivated by the characters and felt like I knew each one of them personally by the way the author wrote about them. It was almost like I was sitting in the middle of the story and it was unfolding around me like a movie. I could identify with each of the characters in different ways as well. I thogtht that this book was well thought out, written and presented to me, the reader. I read alot of books by many authors and this is the first time that I have been so impressed that I wrote my thoughts out for others to see.

It was if Mann had some sort of portal that peers into my life, my hopes and my wishes. Although the details may be different, we have all experienced what these characters have to some degree. It was reassuring to know that these feelings about gay life, relationships and friendships are not unique.

What really made the book interesting was the fact that it was written in first person from the points of view of three characters: Jeff, Henry and Lloyd. It's obvious that these are much more than fictional characters, but characters based on people that the author has actually known.

It's interesting how the three points of view fill in the missing gaps in each character's narrative, or give a different spins on a single event, much like the characters in a Maeve Binchy novel.

With Where the Boys Are and its prequel, The Men from the Boys, our generation may have actually found its literary voice in William J. Mann.

I just finished "Where The boys Are" by William Mann. Truly one of the most enjoyable reads of it's genre. I only wish I had known that it had a prequel, "Men From The Boys". However, since I so thoroughly enjoyed this book I have already purchased the prequel and Mr. Mann's newest novel "All American Boy". I am sure to become one of this author's most avid fans.

In "Where The Boys Are" I enjoyed the discussion as to how, we as a community create our own families. I have often felt that our gay families are so much more important to us than our biological families, and often times during the holidays I find it difficult to have to separate myself from my gay friends when they are truly the ones with whom I share my most intimate times. It is a story that "hit home" in so many ways. From the family issue to the circuit parties. I highly recommend this book as an avid reader of gay fiction.

In Pride,
Guy De Rosa
Los Angeles, California

Mann has developed his voice and his writing style since "The Men from the Boys." Never afraid to try something new, "Where the Boys Are" is a continuation of the lives of Jeff and Lloyd, set a few years after Javitz's death. Jeff's new best friend, Henry, becomes the third narrator and a year in their life is told from all three viewpoints. Each man has his own distinct voice and through the entire book, I often forgot Mann was penning each section. Though gay characters can be labeled stereotypical, I believe each of us can see parts of ourselves in the main and supporting characters. Jeff, lost and alone (even though he's surrounded by others), makes me remember what it's like to feel lonely. Lloyd, embarking on a new adventure in P-town, reminds me of the joys and the rush experienced when starting something new. Henry, finally able to see himself in a better light, allows me to wonder if I could do the same. Though this book speaks to gay men, the issues transcend sexuality. With every high and low I felt more connected to Jeff: I learned lessons while he learned them, understood why he was being selfish when he was. No, the characters in this book are not perfect...but that's the point. This book is real life, put down on paper. Friends taking friends for granted, trying to learn how to sacrifice for others, mixing trust and boundary issues: these are things I see affecting us all.

Mann's deep love of Provincetown is apparent though the setting does smoothly transition between P-town, circuit parties around the nation, and Boston. Forewarned, this is not a circuit party book. Instead Mann uses his settings as backgrounds, focusing on the events that occur at each, not the actual location. Characters relate to each setting differently and new facets of their personality are revealed as their own thoughts change. This just made me fall in love with them even easier. My highest praise for a book is whether or not I'll read it again...WTBA has already gone through its second showing this summer!

I thought this book was a beautiful portrayal of the gay tribe, with their loves and tribulations, and mysteries. It's core is two gay men, and their circle of friends, and their struggles to find connections through a year of their lives. I won't give the plot away, but I can highly recommend this book!

Well, it is about time we are graced by Mann's latest novel and inspiring view into the gay life and times of Lloyd and Jeff (from the first novel: The Men From the Boys)! Ever since I finished his first novel (and thoroughly enjoyed the "realness" of his characters), I have ached to meet up with them again. This time his writing is more clever and even suspenseful (Eva scares me!) at times. It is a great formula of success: part romance, part mystery, part fun, lots of passion and very real and sexy!

Mann is not afraid to tackle some very dificult and controversial subjects, from grief to sex and drugs, barebacking and a very serious look at commitment, friendship and love. Throughout reading the book I was moved to tears, laughter and downright concern for my friends...in the book and in my own life. Mann has touched the pulse of current, pertinent issues for gay men, while touching the human heart in all of us.

Thank you for bringing back Jeff and Lloyd! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I recommend it to any reader who wants to delve deep in the psyche and community of current day gay culture. His photo on the book jacket is as hot as the book! When will the next novel be out?

I read the prequel to this book ("The Men From the Boys") first. I fell in love with the main characters, especially Jeff. It is with great anticipation that I began reading "Where the Boys Are." How great it is to say that not only were my expectations for this book met, they were exceeded. This is a well-written epic novel about contemporary gay male life circa 1999 - 2000. It is suspenseful, dramatic, and touching. I was amazed how much the book resonated with me, in the smallest, most personal ways. It is not often that the sequel exceeds the quality of the original work. In this case it does. Without wanting to sound fatuous, this book is a masterpiece.