The Boys in the Brownstone (Paperback)

by Kevin Scott (Author) "It was the night before the night before Christmas, it was snowing, and the Brownstone would be just a block away when Roberto got off..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Father Mike, Eden Heights (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Melodrama is on the loose in this story of the gay patrons of the Brownstone, a watering hole that's "one part Carnival, two parts Bloomingdales." A snowy Christmas weekend finds Brazilian Roberto newly separated from his wife and heading to the Brownstone to revel in his newfound independence. He's joined by Father Michael Dougherty and his handyman boyfriend, Wesley, and Frank, a disenchanted museum curator dating Brownstone piano player and recovering alcoholic Emmett. The vignettes trudge on with Ian Reath, a soap opera writer and son of a Presbyterian pastor whose decision to marry his boyfriend makes the talk show circuit. Attendees for Ian's nuptials include Joe, another Brownstone fixture, who has the hots for Ian's cheating husband-to-be, Bobby; closeted New York Times scribe Nathan, who misguidedly confesses his love for Ian; and Gopal, a playwright who tried to kill himself over Bobby. Everyone kvetches uncontrollably and sidles up to the piano for one of the Brownstone's show tune sing-a-longs for relief. There's more soap opera than story here, as Scott's stage is overcrowded with a motley assortment of incomplete, confusing characters. The Brownstone bar scenes prove the most affecting in this very, very light, occasionally charming, debut.
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Review
"Scott joins distinguished company—James and Wharton, Auchincloss and Hijuelos—in his ability to chronicle life and manners in New York City." -- Marion Abbott Bundy, Co-author of Talking Pictures

"This novel is A GREAT READ, full of deadpan wisdom, madcap plot twists, and basic human truths." -- Jenny Lyn Bader, Co-author of He Meant, She Meant: The Definitive Male-Female Dictionary; Playwright, None of the Above

An awesome novel Put this one at the top of your summer reading list -- Instinct Magazine

If it defies category, "Brownstone" also defies stereotypes. Scott has created a mini-U.N., a microcosm of New York City -- The New York Blade

Kevin Scott joins distinguished company in his keen ability to chronicle life and manners in New York City. -- Marion Abbott Bundy, Co-author of Talking Pictures

One of Advocate Magazine’s "Top 20 Picks for Summer Reading" -- The Advocate

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Product Details

• Paperback: 261 pages
• Publisher: Haworth Press; 1 edition (April 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560232951
• ISBN-13: 978-1560232957
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #759,974 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Boys in the Brownstone, May 26, 2005

By	A. Littauer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kevin Scott writes an intelligent, compassionate and witty novel about the condition of man. In this case the setting is the turn of the 20th century in the United States. Many of the divisive issues of the times are reflected in the lives of several gay men whose different backgrounds intersect at the Brownstone, a gay bar on the Upper East side of Manhattan. The author is a master at exposing both the very real and the very human vulnerabilities in his characters as they manifest themselves against the backdrop of an unusually fierce snowstorm hitting the east coast during the holiday season and the refuge the club provides. This is a book that will make you laugh and cry as it exposes the complexity of human nature, which is often as irrational as it is rational, and whose altruistic impluses are usually darkly shaded. The book begins slowly but soon draws you into a great read. Many of the lines and observations will linger in your thoughts long after you have finished the book. While "Boys of the Brownstone" is published as part of a series of gay men's fiction its appeal is sophisticated and universal. I am looking forward to Kevin Scott's next book!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should have a Brownstone in their neighborhood., May 17, 2005

By	Paul A. Minafri (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Combine a late night December blizzard, a group of gay men who have lives that intersect each other in unexpected ways, and an Upper East-Side "gentlemen's" club~cruise bar~hustler haven, and you have the makings of a wonderfully amusing and sometimes sad story. THE BOYS IN THE BROWNSTONE is an engaging novel that deals with the crisscross lives of several of the bar's patrons and employees. Each of the characters revealed has a significant story unto himself, but we, the reader, are only afforded a brief glimpse of their story on the day in question, a few days before Christmas. Events that precede that evening at The Brownstone are recounted as memories that flood the minds of the characters that day. In this way, the reader is permitted to understand the mental workings of each character and understand the intimacy of the relationships among the boys of The Brownstone. The blizzard outside is a constant throughout the novel, and becomes a metaphor for the lives of the patrons and employees of the bar.

The stories recounted are those that most people either know or have knowledge of, i.e., confusion, despair, insecurity, betrayal, loneliness, self-doubt, self-denial, exploitation, realized love, and death. The list of potential stories is capable of going on ad-infinitum. Amidst this backdrop of seemingly depressing situations, the author, Kevin Scott, is able to put an amusing "spin" on most of the stories told. While simply snippets of each character's life, the reader becomes so involved in the stories told, he wants to know the resolution of the situations presented. Particularly gratifying to this reader was the tale of Ian and Nathan. Their tale is one that I believe was most poignant. The saddest tale in the book is that of Mike, and perhaps the most intensely felt and fully understood tale is that of Neil. There are others, and they too will each carry a message to the reader.

This is a fast read, one that a potential reader will not want to put down, one that will leave the reader disappointed that it has ended. I heartily endorse this book and eagerly await any new offerings by Kevin Scott.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking Forward to More Brownstone Stories, April 21, 2006

By	Scott J. Hamilton (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Could this be "Tales of the City" for New York? While this first installment may not have allowed for Maupin's depth of character development, "Brownstone" certainly shows promise. This was a great invention to introduce a number of lives, most of them intersecting each other. The characters were believable because the author didn't resort to stale stereotypes or tired queerisms. I do hope that we'll be seeing more of the Brownstone. If only there were such a place in every neighborhood. Not a bad place to weather either the storms of reality or metaphor.