A Boy Named Phyllis: A Suburban Memoir (Paperback)

by Frank DeCaro (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Peppered with one-liners and pop-cultural references ranging from a mention of the TV series H.R. Pufnstuf to one of the film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, DeCaro's memoir of growing up gay in an Italian Catholic family in Little Falls, N.J., sweetly and vividly recalls the bonds and breaches of parent-child relationships, a theme that provides the backdrop to his anecdotal chronicle of childhood tormentors and of recognizing, accepting and eventually celebrating his difference. Ostracized by classmates who knew he was gay before he did ("I'd always put the 'boy' in 'Flamboyant'") and an enigma to his loving if somewhat inept parents, a young DeCaro finds hope in the extravagance of role models Elton John and Paul Lynde and ensuing validation in his high-school theater department. All this is revealed in ironic turns of phrase, deadpan wit and pinpoint characterization, sparing not his mother: a "pear shaped bundle of Aqua Net"; his father: "a big lug who hated only two things in the whole world: dogs sniffing his crotch, and stepping in chewing gum"; his live-in grandma: "With upper arms that hung like parade-float bunting, the constitution of a battleship, and the salty vocabulary of a sailor on shore leave"; and not, least of all, himself. Growing up gay in the suburbs was a trial for DeCaro, a contributing editor to Martha Stewart Living, yet he renders the experience with ease and humor in this laudable memoir. Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
This witty reminiscence of growing up gay amid the pop culture of the 1960s and 1970s is filled with dating, dieting, and disco. A fine complement to Aaron Fricke's poignant early-1980s memoir, Reflections of a Rock Lobster (Alyson, 1995. reprint).
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140255370
• ISBN-13: 978-0140255379
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #285,759 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny and touching book!, December 4, 2003

By	E. Karas "Eric" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Boy Named Phyllis: A Suburban Memoir (Hardcover)

This is a very well told story of growing up different. I also loved his rememberances of being part of the 70's disco culture.

Autobiographies live or die based on the "tone" and how much the writer shares with the reader. Here the tone is humorous and refreshing - the details are moving.

This is a great book and deserves more attention. I have had my friends all read and love it. :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars JERSEY BOY , January 17, 2005

By	Owen Keehnen (Chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A BOY NAMED PHYLLIS is a wonderfully hilarious, touching, and original coming out memoir about the pains of growing up VERY gay in an Italian-American household in suburban New Jersey. Witty, raucous, peppered with one-liners, wacky situations, and even wackier characters, this debut book is a minefield of belly laughs. Whether he's discussing true love in Coordinate Geometry class, true lust for David Cassidy, the enduring pains of sissy torture, the unrefined glories of 70s pop culture, or the idiosyncrasies of his family, Frank DeCaro has created a frothy memoir readers aren't likely to forget. This memoir is one that paved the way for the tres-gay, silly, and shamelessly confessional works of David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs - so if you love their work give it a try.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very funny, and touching, July 30, 2000

By	"tonlo" (Pembroke Pines, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This book was so humorous. Doesn't matter if your straight, gay, male or female. I loved how Frank describes his family members and his life. It was very touching, witty, and it really opened my eyes to what gay boys have to go through to try to feel excepted.