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This is the contemporary book I have by Jim Grimsley. I had to hunt it out to remember the name. I guess this fits the category of a gay romance. The blurb reads that handsome, successful doctor Ford McKinney was raised in a well-to-do Savannah family, and his long-time boyfriend is shy hospital administrator, Dan Krell.

They decide to visit Ford's parents for the holidays but it's clear that his parents are less than happy with his homosexuality. Whilst I found this a pleasant read, I found it ultimately forgettable. I think part of the reason I felt a little disgruntled with it is that he made one of the character's HIV positive. It just seemed to0 pat -- oh look here the gay man at risk from AIDS -- and he doesn't quite seem to pull it off as a useful or necessary addition to the story. There are a number of moments in the book that I like and reading this I would certainly look at his other work, but I would hope that he's improved since writing this.

I've also got 'Dream Boy' to read. I'll let you know what I think when I take it away with me in December.

That's the one that was recommended to me (if only I could remember who by!) Doesn't sound as if I'm missing all that much by not being able to find it....

I'll be interested to hear about the other one when you read it.

I thought Dream Boy was quite good, though the ending was frightful (see what you think!!) - and I too am fed up of the HIV cliche. Move on, people!



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Yes, that's exactly what I thought. I'm sick of the idea that gay men are more at risk than anyone else. If you're going to tell that story then you've got to truly do it for a good reason. It doesn't seem to add anything to this particular story.

Interesting aside, a friend of mine got chatted up in a bar by a bloke who clearly only wanted to go home and have sex with her. She had not intention of doing so but she did quiz him and asked if he used condoms. He said, only if the woman wants. His take was that he's fine, he's not gay. I can't believe this ignorance still exists and I think using it in a gay storyline without good cause just perpetuates the problem. Where are the straight guy has AIDS stories?

The whole AIDS thing gets to me now too... although I suspect I'm guilty of double standards because if gay men don't write about it, how will anyone ever know? I do think, though, that it should now be a very personal subject, written about by someone (anyone, not just a gay man) with personal experience of an AIDS situation. Rather than just shoe-horning it into any gay story to make it more 'authentic'. To me that's too much like wrapping a string of onions round a character's neck because he's French.

Well, I read Dream Boy, and have just given it this review on my blog:

I’ve just finished reading Jim Grimsley’s “Dream Boy”. I first came across this author through his fantasy writing, but this is the second contemporary book of his I’ve read. I have to admit, I didn’t take to ‘Comfort and Joy’ all that well, I believe mainly because one of the characters is HIV and I feel that to use that in a story now without it becoming too much of a cliché requires a very good storyteller, a very good reason to include it, or both. So, while I enjoy his fantasy work, I wasn’t sure if his contemporary writing was for me, but when I heard good reports on “Dream Boy”, I decided to give it a go and I’m very glad I did.

Saying that, don’t expect a happy read. I’m not sure what to make of this book in some ways. I can’t help thinking I’ve only read two of this author’s contemporary works and yet one had HIV and the other abuse. I know you need conflict for plot but I’d love to know if he’s written something without such underlying violence. I also have to point out that this story is written in present tense, which is not something I favour in long works. However, I’m mentioning that because despite this, I enjoyed this book, although ‘enjoy’ may not be quite the word to use.

This book is disturbing, harrowing even. The one word that springs to mind the most is to call it painful. The ending nudges towards the surreal, even quixotic. The title is more apt than one realises until you reach the end. It’s heartbreaking. I’ve heard this is going to be made into a film and with the success of Brokeback Mountain I can see why (and incidentally, on that subject I vastly applaud the film over the story). If you enjoyed the concept of Brokeback, then you may well like this. However, if you cannot stomach having your heartstrings pulled in many directions than this may not be the read for you. It's haunting.

Hmmm, it sounds like a lot of heartache. Some authors seem to specialise in darker work and he must be one of them!

I think if I read this at all, it'll be out of the library. I'm not much of a one for tales of abuse and violence so that way, if it gets too much I can just take it back.