Back Where He Started

by Jay Quinn

Book Overview

After relocating to the North Carolina beach community of Emerald Isle, 48-year-old Chris becomes involved in the patchwork lives of his neighbours. When Schooner, son of old flame Zack, moves in with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555838596
• ISBN13: 9781555838591
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Alyson Books
• Length: 295 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Great read!

The journey the author takes the reader on was very easy to visualize, feel and imagine. I couldn't put the book down. I took the book on a weekend getaway and thoroughly enjoyed his way with words.

One of the best books I have ever read!

Indeed it is difficult to find books written that reflects my age group, my experiences and my present time of life. It gives me hope that at my "mature age" that life does go on after 40. Too many times, authors write for the teenage and young adult age group and not for my own (39+). Thank you Mr. Quinn for writing a truly enjoyable book, one that I identifed with, one that I will treasure for many a year to come and which is a personal classic. Please continue to write for the older reader. If anyone knows of any well written books where the main character is 40+ and it is a well written, realistic book then let me know at [...] - DC.

Just a great novel

I admit to be a fan of Jay Quinn. His writing is excellent and you do get the feel of being at the beach! Quinn knows how to tell the tale of rejection, moving on, connecting with the family, forgiveness, and looking toward the future. He remembers to tell the reader that everyone in your life is family, in one way or another. I look forward to reading more of Jay Quinn's novels. "Back Where He Started" is a great follow up to "Metes and Bounds".

A rewarding experience!

I finished "Back where he started" in a day. I find it absorbing and ultimately uplifting. I do not know why but Chris reminds me of an older Tiger from "Metes and Bounds " even though they are 2 totally different persons. I love the character of Tiger and was disappointed that he was not the protagonist of "Metes and Bounds". The beginning of "Back where he started" is captivating and simply tugs at my heart. How do you cope when your spouse wishes to kick you out after you have given 22 years of your life to him and his family? It is already hard in a man-woman relationship. It's even more so in a gay marriage which is not sanctioned by law or church. Chris' predicament is heartbreaking. Luckily Quinn did not fall into the easy trap of the typical gay romance tragedy. Chris managed to pick himself up. He retained the love and respect of his "children". He found a job and even love. Does it sound sappy, like some reviews claim ? Not so for me. Life is already depressing enough. I wish to secure a bit of cheer from fiction and "Back where he started" definitely meet my expectation and more. It is a rewarding experience to read that a 48 year old gay man could have a fresh start and find happiness despite all the odds. Beautiful!

"You have a gift for making men happy. That's all it is"

The atheists and secularists among us will probably turn after reading Southern writer Jay Quinn's overly melodramatic, but gorgeously written novel, Back Where We Started. Steeped in unapologetic and unrepentant histrionics, the story tells of Chris Thayer, a middle-aged, and severely religious gay man, who remakes his life in profound ways. But this isn't just your normal tale of mid-life self-discovery, because Quinn, in creating Chris, has written such a thoughtful, deep, and reflective character that most readers when they finish the book will be left with a weighty sense that they have just met someone very special. The author imbues Chris, with almost saint-like and iconographic sensibilities; he's easily the most complex, adorable, and multi-and faceted "Mum" one is ever likely to meet. Weaving the powerful themes of gay marriage, love and family, parenting, and endurance through faith, Quinn shows what can happen when years of investment in a life that you thought was stable and steadfast can be suddenly pulled out from under you. Chris has been leading a happy, contented life, but after twenty-six years his long-term "marriage" to his partner Zack Ronan is finally over. Having raised Zack's three children and supported him through his highflying career, Zack, ambitious and selfish, has reverted to the other side of his bisexual nature and has married his secretary, who is now pregnant. Coming from working class roots a housing project in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Chris is the epitome of a self-made, self-educated man, who following the suicide of Zack's wife, stepped in and sacrificed most of his adult life to raise and be a mother to Zack's three children, Trey, Schooner, and Andrea. The kids spent their lives affectionately call him "Mum" and doting him just as much has he spoiled and doted on them. Chris is of course, absolutely devastated at Zack's abandonment. He hears his life "rushing ahead to its conclusion without him" and given a choice he doubted he'd ever have moved on. Determined to maintain his dignity and composure, and armed with the trust fund that Zack has set up for him, Chris begins to face the second act of his life. But the fund won't support him forever, so Chris needs to get a job, and also find a new place to live. Life does go on and Chris relocates to North Caroline beach community of Emerald Isle, eventually settling into the beach house purchased from part of the proceeds of the sale of the abode he adoringly shared with Zack for all those years. His new home brings with it lots of new and exciting experiences, and his constant positive outlook and his deep and spiritual faith constantly keeps him buoyant and optimistic. Chris steadily becomes involved with the life of the community, eventually finding a job and becoming involved with the patchwork lives of his neighbors: a young husband-and-wife psychiatric couple expecting their first child, the local Catholic Church priest, a hunky, affable vet