Look Away Silence (Kindle Edition)

by Edward C. Patterson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Martin Powers wanted an ironing board for Christmas. Instead, he got . . . Matthew Kieler, a non-returnable gift, but a gift that kept on giving. Chance encounters are sometimes the ones that most change our lives. He sold Matt a tie, but got more in the bargain - more than most people would want and more than anyone deserved. Although these lovers may not have had the pink American dream, they had it better than most, even as they faced a crisis that would change us all.

Look Away Silence is a romance set in the time of AIDS, when ignorance could spell trouble and often did. It encompasses the author’s experiences in volunteer community service and personal friendships during a tragic period in American history. The novel is dedicated to the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, the NAMES Project and to the author’s own fallen angels. "Mothers, do not shun your children, because you never know how long you have to revel in them."

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS:
Review from Rainbow Reviews

This is an intensely emotional story about a young couple that falls in love, only to face the AIDS crisis instead of matching pink rockers on the porch. At a time when the government was refusing to acknowledge the crisis and the immortality of youth cast a protective pall over young gay men, this couple must cope with a horrible disease and the ramifications within their family and larger community. A very intensely moving story that packs an incredible punch, the last half left me crying all the way through it and beyond for some time. This is not a light-hearted tale but combines several important themes and a deeply romantic and fulfilling, yet heart breaking relationship that will resonate and stay with the reader for some time.

Martin Powers meets Matt, a shy blue-eyed cowboy on Christmas eve and although Martin expects the relationship to barely last to New Year’s, it turns into a permanent partnership. Their happiness in each other create a small bubble around their love and world that is all too soon popped when the horrible specter of Matt’s dead lover and the crisis of AIDS invades their world. All of a sudden Martin is confronted with issues and problems he has never imagined and struggles with the intense emotions that come along.

The writing is instantly engaging and engrossing as Martin’s character is likable and relatable. The pacing is well done and the book is incredibly easy to read, even for all the intense emotion elicited. Martin is a wonderful character as he is first introduced through his love of laundry and cleaning attachments through his surprising affection and love for a small, blue eyed cowboy that loves snow. Martin’s maturity, humor and intelligence are at odds with his young age, only twenty years old. Martin is not perfect and struggles through the story with his jealousy, fears, manipulation, and selfishness. His dysfunctional childhood has changed the way he views relationships and although he can look back on his faults, he makes numerous mistakes. However, for all his faults he truly and deeply loves Matt and that love is returned, creating the first solid and meaningful relationship young Martin has ever had. As Martin matures and finds strength and courage where he fears none exist, it’s easy to forget that he is only twenty three by the end of the story, and Matt was only twenty five. These are incredibly young men who should have been able to grow old together but instead live a full, loving life as best they can.

Woven into the romance between the men are multiple themes about the gay community and the impact AIDS has upon the country and various individuals. Several couples from past works by the author make brief cameos in this story, although the focus never waivers from Martin and Matt. The depth of the characters and their story is an important tale that transcends gender and race. This is one story that will resonate for a very long after the incredibly beautiful final page.

About the Author

Edward C. Patterson has been writing novels, short fiction, poetry and drama his entire life, always seeking the emotional core of any story he tells. With his eighth novel, The Jade Owl, he combines an imaginative touch with his life long devotion to China and its history. He has earned an MA in Chinese History from Brooklyn College with further postgraduate work at Columbia University. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he has spent four decades as a soldier in the corporate world gaining insight into the human condition. He won the 2000 New Jersey Minority Achievement Award for his work in corporate diversity. Blending world travel experiences with a passion for story telling, his adventures continue as he works to permeate his reader's souls from an indelible wellspring. Published Novels by Edward C. Patterson include No Irish Need Apply, Bobby's Trace, Cutting the Cheese, Surviving an American Gulag, Turning Idolater, Look Away Silence, The Jade Owl (Jade Owl Legacy Series Book I), The Third Peregrination (Jade Owl Legacy Series Book II), The Dragon's Pool (Jade Owl Legacy Series Book III), and Southern Swallow Series (Book I - The Academician). Coming soon: Southern Swallow Series (Book II - The Nan Tu; Book III - Swan Cloud; Book IV - The House of Green Waters), Belmundus, The Road to Grafenwöhr, and Green Folly. Look also for The People's Treasure (Jade Owl Legacy Series Book IV) and In the Shadow of Her Hem (Jade Owl Legacy Series Book V). Poetry books available are The Closet Clandestine: a queer steps out and Come, Wewoka & Diary of Medicine Flower. Also Are You Still Submitting Your Work to a Traditional Publisher?

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 466 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: CreateSpace (July 15, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002HRER5S
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,075 in Kindle Store (See Bestsellers in Kindle Store)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Advice & How-to > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > AIDS
  #11 in	Kindle Store > Kindle Books > Lifestyle & Home > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction
  #63 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > AIDS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intense and emotional; a definite "must read", August 18, 2009

By	Leslie H. Nicoll "Passionate Kindle owner!" (Westbrook, ME USA) - See all my reviews

I have just finished Look Away Silence by Edward C. Patterson. It is an intense and emotional story. I started crying at the 85% point and didn't stop until the end of the book.

I started my career as a professional nurse in 1977 and I remember very vividly the wrath that was AIDS in the 1980s. Mr. Patterson captures that horror well. For those reading this who remember those days, this is a timely reminder; for those who are too young, you should read this book so that we can continue to learn from our mistakes and not make the same mistakes again (especially relevant in these days of gay rights and health care reform).

Even with the sad story, Mr. Patterson is a funny and engaging writer and I found this book hard to put down -- always a sign of a five-star read for me.

Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A love story for the ages, August 16, 2009

By	ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Look Away Silence (Paperback)

Look Away Silence reminded me of the movie 'Philadelphia'. I remember the scene between Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks as they shake hands and then Hanks says he has AIDS and needs help. Denzel's reaction? He looked at his hand, like am I contaminated?? What do I now?
Most folks don't know how to react to someone who has a disease, much less something like AIDS.
Look Away Silence is a love story - Martin Powers hasn't had much luck with relationships. It seems he's gotten into a "Christmas crisis cycle" - finds someone around Christmas and by New Year's the relationship is gone - Until...he sees Matt Kiefer walking around Martin's department in a major department store.
Matt and Martin meet for coffee, and it seems that the friendship could be solid, and had possibilities. Martin's mother is a spit-fire - a tell it like it is lady, who deeply loves her son; Matt's parents and family are openly supportive of his son being gay and seem to be delighted he has found a good partner.
Sounds like a wonderful love story.
But there is an elephant in the room - in the timeframe of this book's actions, AIDS is almost certainly a death sentence. Misunderstood by the public, even the medications that folks positive with AIDS are a horror to take.
Matt always insisted in safe sex with Martin. Matt tells Martin of his lover who died.
The relationship proceeds like any other relationship, straight or gay, dealing with family, work, friends etc.
Then Matt gets sick - He has AIDS.
Matt's former lover had AIDS.
Matt's former lover is dead.
Look Away Silence is a beautiful love story told in a horrid time where ignorance and misunderstanding was as hard as a time to try to fight the disease.
Doesn't matter the gender.
This is a love story that has been experienced many times over by 'everyman'. Beautifully written by amazing author Edward C. Patterson, based on his experiences volunteering in community service and personal friendships, this novel is dedicated to the 'Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, the NAMES Project and to the angels who fell during this time.
It is a powerful read. You don't care what sex the folks are - you go on their jourmey of love and tragedy and it hits you hard.
Much progress has been made on AIDS - many with the virus live normal lives due to the medical advances, but is the stigma of AIDS still there? How far have we progressed?
So sweetly written, so very sad - such a wonderful love story.
Another amazing read by Edward C. Patterson.
Bravo.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love and loss in the early days of AIDS, August 13, 2009

By	R.J. Keller (The Boonies of Maine) - See all my reviews

'Look Away Silence' is a beautifully written, intensely emotional novel. The characters are three dimensional and wonderfully flawed. Best of all, Patterson's narrative manages to zoom in on this tragic couple's love and life, then to zoom out on an entire hurting community, and back again without resorting to soapboxing. One word of warning: don't forget to have your tissue box handy.