The Boy in the Book

by Tom Nussbaum and Annabeth Albert

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595304397
• ISBN13: 9780595304394
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Confronting Emotional Maturity: A Spectrum

Tom Nussbaum knows how to tell a story, how to develop characters that are visible and palpable, writes in a page-turning style that encourages finishing the book in a single sitting, and touches on many issues that confront not only his gay characters but all feeling people despite age or sexual orientation. His only problem is his need to tidy up every minute detail to the point of obsession and that dilutes the power of his story. Rick is a handsome thirty-something buff male who is just retiring form a successful career with Microsoft. He has it all - looks, nice home, friends - but no long-term partner. He discovers a street person on the doorstep of a bookstore, filthy, thin, but only asking for money to buy a book. Something draws Rick to 'Spider' (whose real name is Jon Gable) and he befriends him, takes him home, cleans him up, and is supportive to the 18-year old runaway, discovering his past abusive home life to be the reason for his fleeing. Rick's best friend Jay at first questions the safety of Rick's sheltering Jon, but soon warms to Jon as much as Rick has and the three begin a journey toward discovery that binds them together in ways completely unexpected. Returning to Jon's home in Coeur d'Alene produces surprises that begin a series of events in which each of the three men find resolution to their histories and emotional stability. The first two thirds of this book read well and it is only as the author keeps dropping outrageous coincidences and follows these by the obsessive need to explain them all and tie every turn of events together that the book weakens. Better left unsaid than inundated would have been a more successful literary turn. But Nussbaum does manage to address a lot of issues that are universal and succeeds in painting portraits of gay men that are not the usual stereotypes. And for that the reader will be grateful. A good read. Grady Harp, August 06

A Journey Toward Self-Acceptance

This brisk novel employs elements of magical realism to weave a thoroughly charming tale combining mystery, romance, coming of age and, most importantly, self-acceptance. It charts the friendship between Rick, a financially fixed thirty eight year old Microsoft retiree, and Jon (aka Spider) a homeless eighteen year old on the run from an emotionally abusive father. Both characters, along with Rick's best friend Jay, embark on a road trip that, through a series of increasingly more odd coincidences, leads them on a path to self-discovery and, eventually, to their (collective) destinies. Along the way the reader learns that each man is hiding something, not only from the others but from himself as well. Nussbaum's prose style is deceptively breezy which belies some of the deeper themes being explored here, but that's one of the joys of this book; even when dealing with heavy subject matter it is never preachy, ominous or depressing. I enjoyed The Boy In The Book enormously and, because it is very much a mystery, will refrain from divulging too many details of the plot. Suffice it to say, there are countless surprising twists. The only aspect of it that disappointed me was the author's choice not to spend more time in Jon's childhood home of Coeur d'Alene. This section of the book struck me as somewhat rushed and perfunctory, particularly in light of the depth of the secrets that are revealed and the magnitude of the events that transpire there. Not to mention that more time in his home town would have allowed the reader to become better acquainted with the Jon's family and friends, especially the boy's mother, Sherrie, and his high school "girlfriend," Sierra. Both were interesting and fairly well-rounded female characters - a rarity in books aimed at a gay male audience. This novel has something for everyone - complicated characters, a romantic (wholly unexpected) love story, multiple mysteries to unravel, a little sex, a lot of humour, an uplifting message and more than a hint of spirituality. On that note, I should add that after reading The Boy In The Book, every time I get a whiff of musk I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from imagining that some little gay angel has just earned his wings.

A Great Story

This story has a little mystery, coming of age, mid-lie crisis, plight of the homeless, and closted gay men. Mr. Nussbaum does an excellent job in dealing with these issues. THE BOY IN THE BOOK is a real delight to read. And yes, you will learn the identity of the boy in the book.

"The Boy In The Book" is a fascinating tale

Rick Bradley is a thirty-something Seattle gay man, joyfully beginning his early retirement. Having started with Microsoft as a programmer right out of college, and essentially dedicating the next thirteen years to that company, foregoing any kind of social life to speak of, his stock options are allowing him to retire as a millionaire. In some ways, he is starting his life over again, this time with the luxury of doing what he really wants ... if he can just figure out what that might be. Out for an evening walk, Rick happens across Jon Gable, a skinny 18 year old runaway, who tells him a story about an abusive father back home in a small town in Idaho. Although not attracted to the young man sexually, Rick finds himself somehow compelled to take him in, help him find a job, and start college classes. Along with Rick's best friend Jay, they take a road trip back to Jon's home to pick up the rest of his things, a trip that will change all of their lives from that point forward. En route, Rick and Jay discover a series of gay porn pulp novels, with cover illustrations that look exactly like Jon facially, with the character even having a similar name to Jon's. The boy claims to have no knowledge of how that may have happened, making Rick and Jay wonder if he might have some secrets he is keeping from them. In the end, MANY intriguing and unexpected twists are revealed, in this original and emotionally captivating second novel by the author, which essentially mourns the wasted life of a gay man nobody really knew. Fascinating, well-written story.