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P’tit Cadeau
[P’TIT CADEAU (euphemism) – the “small gift” French hustlers ask for to let you know they expect to be paid]
Ben, an American art professor on a painting sabbatical in the south of France, rents a room in an isolated village to avoid the tourist crush. There he meets his landlady's brother, the sensitive and childlike loner Jean-Yves, whom the locals consider simple minded because he is "different". Ben makes him his principal model and undertakes to build his self-confidence and prepare him to fend for himself.
Jean-Yveshas never had a friend before. As they grow closer, Ben comes to realize the extent of the young man emotional needs, and his total dependence and unbridled devotion frighten him. Has he taken on more responsibility than he can handle? Should he allow himself to fall in love with Jean-Yves when he knows their relationship must end when his sabbatical is over?
Ben, an American art professor on a painting sabbatical in the south of France, rents a room in an isolated village to avoid the tourist crush. There he meets his landlady's brother, the sensitive and childlike loner Jean-Yves, whom the locals consider simple minded because he is "different". Ben makes him his principal model and undertakes to build his self-confidence and prepare him to fend for himself.
Jean-Yveshas never had a friend before. As they grow closer, Ben comes to realize the extent of the young man emotional needs, and his total dependence and unbridled devotion frighten him. Has he taken on more responsibility than he can handle? Should he allow himself to fall in love with Jean-Yves when he knows their relationship must end when his sabbatical is over?
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2011
251 people want to read
About the author
Anel Viz
20 books31 followersAnel Viz, born and raised in New York City, currently resides in the Midwest, where he has taught at the same small liberal arts college for over thirty years. He has lived about one-quarter of his life in French-speaking countries. He returned to his childhood passion of writing at age sixty, and ever since he has churned out works in a variety of M/M genres: poetry, short and novel-length fiction, humor, essays, etc. He likes to experiment. Though most of his stories are romances, few of them would be called traditional romance. His work appears regularly in Wilde Oats and GayFlashFiction online magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 9, 2012
This was an amazing book. Beautifully written with a languorously developing romance. The love story is unconventional but oh so believable. I couldn't put this book down. The 'pace' of the book won't appeal to everyone as there is a lot of wordy descriptions (people, places, art) & lengthy dialogue. Another 'difficulty' that some might have with the book is the almost analytical/dry/objective/remote (can't quite pin down the right adjective) voice of Ben. There is no gushing, loving language. Ben's emotions are kept tightly in control which is reflected in the writing style. The book reminded me of Joanna Trollope's style but with a more satisfying HEA. This book is a worthwhile read but I would strongly suggest you read the sample first to determine if you will enjoy the way it has been written. Another 'problem' some may have with the book is the amount of French dialogue. Not all of it can be interpreted from the context & I did spend some time Google-ing the French/English translations. I loved it but it isn't for everyone.
Originally posted on Amazon.com
Originally posted on Amazon.com
April 8, 2012
This book was lovely, in its own weird way. I love books about travel, and this didn't disappoint in that regard. It's this great odyssey through scenic France, seen through the eyes of an artist and I really enjoyed that. In terms of the romance, well, that's where I'm feeling a bit ambivalent. But it's more the description of the romance than the actual relationship that makes me feel that way. The whole book is very matter-of-fact, it's told rather bluntly and with little emotion, so I couldn't really get into it. Even the sex scenes are weirdly clinical. And the pacing left me a nit disoriented at times. For all that, it's still a solid read and it's well worth it, if only for the description of the scenery.
June 7, 2012
This is one of those books which the pace might not be for everyone, but worked for me.
This is a steady, slow moving story that really captures a love story that follows that same slow developing rhythm. The use of art and travel provided a lot of insight into Ben and Jean Yves personalities...we learned about their emotions through that context much of the time.
I do admit that it took some time for me to warm to Ben, but I did eventually get there. Luckily the timeline of the story allowed Ben to grow on me and I was definately rooting for them both at the end of the story. This is definately a sip and savor book that I enjoyed.
This is a steady, slow moving story that really captures a love story that follows that same slow developing rhythm. The use of art and travel provided a lot of insight into Ben and Jean Yves personalities...we learned about their emotions through that context much of the time.
I do admit that it took some time for me to warm to Ben, but I did eventually get there. Luckily the timeline of the story allowed Ben to grow on me and I was definately rooting for them both at the end of the story. This is definately a sip and savor book that I enjoyed.
January 11, 2014
Some writers approach their craft with a languorous depth of setting which strikes a balance with the characters and adds to their ability to capture the reader. This book does that, in spades.
Definitely would place this in the ‘Gay Contemporary Romance’ category and not MM.
Recommended: Hidden Gem
Definitely would place this in the ‘Gay Contemporary Romance’ category and not MM.
Recommended: Hidden Gem
August 3, 2012
I absolutely loved this story. The characters were as vibrant as the art. The only regret I have is that I couldn't understand the many French conversations.
I've added this to my-6-star-favs shelf and highly recommend this to those who love art, France, wonderful characters, beautiful sites, and HEA endings.
I've added this to my-6-star-favs shelf and highly recommend this to those who love art, France, wonderful characters, beautiful sites, and HEA endings.
January 16, 2011
Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. This is an intensely romantic story, which I love, and the characters are so complex and emotional. The setting is well described and becomes a character in itself.
January 22, 2011
I thought this a really beautiful book. It reads a little like a travelogue, as the narrator moves through France and Italy and falls in love with a young man who seems out of place. The prose is just lovely. Recommended.
April 25, 2011
Ben is an artist on sabbatical from the American college where he teaches. He has a year in France and wants to fill hi sketchbooks and canvases with the remarkable sights he can find in the south of France and in Italy. He did not expect that one of his favorite subjects for his art would come to mean so much to him, his new model and lover, Jean-Yves Cadot.
The two men meet in the small mountain town of St. Repouse where Jean-Yves' father took the family after a scandal involving a priest at the young man's school in Dijon. The young man, now in his early twenties, lives with his spiteful and bitter sister who considers him simple-minded and a naughty child. Ben befriends him, discovers he is anything but simpleminded but very possibly too childlike for his own good. His relationship with Jean-Yves grows as he paints and draws him, in works like the cover painting, "Boy Wading". He resists his growing attraction to him, believing the young man is heterosexual, but they eventually become quite ardent lovers. The novel chronicles their relationship as Ben sets Jean-Ybes on the road to self confidence and achievement.
I could not believe how often my emotional reaction to the story changed, right along with the narrator Ben's. At first I was charmed by Ben's kindness and Jean-Yves sweetness, but I soon saw how the complicating factors in their couplehood, namely Ben's fear of falling in love with someone he would be forced to leave to return to the states, I became just as anious as Ben and Jean-Yves. From there I saw how dependent the young man was and felt the desperation that itself was replaced by a sneaking suspicion that he was more manipulator than dependent. Separated for years, I started to long to know how Jean-Yves was coping, how he was living his life, and was as anxious as Ben Io see him again. Along with the artist narrator I found him strong, talented, and more appealing than ever. I wanted to keep him, as did Ben.
What this boils down to is, quite simply, a real relationship. Romances are about ups and downs, yes, but not usually ones that mirror the lives of us mortals. Ben and Jean-Yves are as changeable,. as likely to make mistakes, as likely to surprise themselves and others, and as unpredictable as any other two humans on the earth. I found this powerful, so much more satisfying than books where not only the story is fiction but the types of people in them as well. Viz is a wonderful writer, as neat, both economical and eloquent and satisfying as I have read.
Something I noticed in one of Viz's other novels, The City of Lovely Brothers, that I found in P'tit Cadeau I was charmed to find here as well. The fictional author/narrator breaks into the recounting of the story to let drop little hints as to future incidents or situations. Just enough to tweak your curiosity but not to give anything away. This could be tiresome, but in Viz's hands it's like a sprinkling of unexpected spice in the chef d'oeuvre. Ben mentions , for instance, that although at the point ion the narrative it looks like the two men are splitting forever, Jean-Yves "still" enjoys being Ben's model years later. How tantalizing! You find yourself even more curious to see how that comes about. No predictability, just a flash of something sparkling off in the distance.
Two other elements I appreciated. Jean-Yves is not just gay. He is naturally disposed to making lvoe to women, but he loves Ben, who happens to be male. To my mind, love and sexuality are far too fluid to define narrowly, but at the same time love you have for a special person is fixed. For Jean-Yves his love and lover is Ben. He enjoys sex with him because he loves him, and that is in spite of horrible abuse as a child. I also liked how Viz introduces the case of gay marriage through introducing his characters so the reader will come to understand in a visceral way what the lack of marital rights would mean to two people of either gender who love each other. That is how you turn "them" into "us".
The sex. There is no question that one of Viz's gifts is writing erotic scenes without narrowing g the novels he writes to simply erotic novels. His sex scenes are hot, and though some might call them unduly graphic, I don't agree. I don't see why one wouldn't want to experience all the joys a loving couple share. It is just too bad many readers who could gain so much from the novels will be put off by the sex.
I read few contemporary novels, but the sheer pleasure of this expertly crafted love story was worth getting lost out of time for its duration. I bought it for my Kindle 3 and thank the author and the publisher, Silver Publishing, for enabling text to speech so I could read it.
The two men meet in the small mountain town of St. Repouse where Jean-Yves' father took the family after a scandal involving a priest at the young man's school in Dijon. The young man, now in his early twenties, lives with his spiteful and bitter sister who considers him simple-minded and a naughty child. Ben befriends him, discovers he is anything but simpleminded but very possibly too childlike for his own good. His relationship with Jean-Yves grows as he paints and draws him, in works like the cover painting, "Boy Wading". He resists his growing attraction to him, believing the young man is heterosexual, but they eventually become quite ardent lovers. The novel chronicles their relationship as Ben sets Jean-Ybes on the road to self confidence and achievement.
I could not believe how often my emotional reaction to the story changed, right along with the narrator Ben's. At first I was charmed by Ben's kindness and Jean-Yves sweetness, but I soon saw how the complicating factors in their couplehood, namely Ben's fear of falling in love with someone he would be forced to leave to return to the states, I became just as anious as Ben and Jean-Yves. From there I saw how dependent the young man was and felt the desperation that itself was replaced by a sneaking suspicion that he was more manipulator than dependent. Separated for years, I started to long to know how Jean-Yves was coping, how he was living his life, and was as anxious as Ben Io see him again. Along with the artist narrator I found him strong, talented, and more appealing than ever. I wanted to keep him, as did Ben.
What this boils down to is, quite simply, a real relationship. Romances are about ups and downs, yes, but not usually ones that mirror the lives of us mortals. Ben and Jean-Yves are as changeable,. as likely to make mistakes, as likely to surprise themselves and others, and as unpredictable as any other two humans on the earth. I found this powerful, so much more satisfying than books where not only the story is fiction but the types of people in them as well. Viz is a wonderful writer, as neat, both economical and eloquent and satisfying as I have read.
Something I noticed in one of Viz's other novels, The City of Lovely Brothers, that I found in P'tit Cadeau I was charmed to find here as well. The fictional author/narrator breaks into the recounting of the story to let drop little hints as to future incidents or situations. Just enough to tweak your curiosity but not to give anything away. This could be tiresome, but in Viz's hands it's like a sprinkling of unexpected spice in the chef d'oeuvre. Ben mentions , for instance, that although at the point ion the narrative it looks like the two men are splitting forever, Jean-Yves "still" enjoys being Ben's model years later. How tantalizing! You find yourself even more curious to see how that comes about. No predictability, just a flash of something sparkling off in the distance.
Two other elements I appreciated. Jean-Yves is not just gay. He is naturally disposed to making lvoe to women, but he loves Ben, who happens to be male. To my mind, love and sexuality are far too fluid to define narrowly, but at the same time love you have for a special person is fixed. For Jean-Yves his love and lover is Ben. He enjoys sex with him because he loves him, and that is in spite of horrible abuse as a child. I also liked how Viz introduces the case of gay marriage through introducing his characters so the reader will come to understand in a visceral way what the lack of marital rights would mean to two people of either gender who love each other. That is how you turn "them" into "us".
The sex. There is no question that one of Viz's gifts is writing erotic scenes without narrowing g the novels he writes to simply erotic novels. His sex scenes are hot, and though some might call them unduly graphic, I don't agree. I don't see why one wouldn't want to experience all the joys a loving couple share. It is just too bad many readers who could gain so much from the novels will be put off by the sex.
I read few contemporary novels, but the sheer pleasure of this expertly crafted love story was worth getting lost out of time for its duration. I bought it for my Kindle 3 and thank the author and the publisher, Silver Publishing, for enabling text to speech so I could read it.
June 3, 2012
This was by no means a traditional love story but the two men were beautifully portrayed and their is no doubt there was love between them. Despite the fact that the book was set over a period of time at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, it had an almost timeless feel to it and I could imagine the story taking place almost identically at an earlier point in history. One of the most rewarding parts of the book was watching the journey that Jean-Yves makes during the time he knows Ben .
February 10, 2011
Like readers mentioned, this is almost like a travelogue plus romance - a very moving one that spans many years. The protagonist is almost as much in love with his love interest, as much as he loves France.
It's also a story of personal triumph, changing your life 180 degree, I doubt anyone not to be touched by Jean-Yves' struggles and his eventual transformation.
It's also a story of personal triumph, changing your life 180 degree, I doubt anyone not to be touched by Jean-Yves' struggles and his eventual transformation.
May 26, 2019
This book is what we call a hidden gem. Hard one to find too. Once I started reading I couldn't put this book down until I finished. Simply fantastic writing, apt detailed descriptions. Never felt lagging or boring. And sometimes writing style slightly reminded me of André Aciman. I recommend this book those who looking for mm fiction with an actual story.
June 8, 2011
This story was really amazing till the last page. The two last sentences were simple beautiful and warm. They completed the story immensely. I loved how the plot developed and enjoyed the read fully.
Highly recommended to everyone!
Highly recommended to everyone!
Want to read
August 13, 2013One day sale on this for only $0.99 (down from $7.99!!!) from the publisher! Only 8/13/13!
https://spsilverpublishing.com/ptit-c...
https://spsilverpublishing.com/ptit-c...
November 30, 2021
Anel Viz’s P'tit Cadeau was a balm for my soul. I absolutely adored the writing style and the descriptions of a painter’s life and travails (such as painting your food and bad lighting and finding nothing worth painting and bringing the wrong mediums and expensive paint and being dissatisfied). I loved the large paintings he did and I wish this person was real so I could look up their art and exhibitions.
I was nervous about their years apart, but in the end I was very glad for it. I loved how Jean-Yves came into his own. I loved how they began their relationship in secrecy and how their love became unabashed and open for everyone to see.
I was nervous about their years apart, but in the end I was very glad for it. I loved how Jean-Yves came into his own. I loved how they began their relationship in secrecy and how their love became unabashed and open for everyone to see.
March 17, 2011
If you're in the mood for a long, leisurely, creative and cultural journey through France and Italy in the company of two beautiful men, then P'tit Cadeau is the novel for you. One of the strongest elements about this book was the depth of immersion into both France and the life of the artist. French phrases are sprinkled liberally throughout, some translated, some relying on context to get their meaning across. Plenty of time is spent describing Ben's artistic processes, how he sees a landscape or model or other subject that he wants to capture, effects of light and other environmental factors, deciding on the composition of the drawing or painting, materials to be used.
Jean-Yves is most definitely not feeble minded, nor really childlike -- he just hasn't had the chance, under his sister's suspicious and watchful eye, to spread his wings and be his own person. True, he is quite a bit younger than Ben and looks even younger than he is, but he has a rich inner life that, with Ben's friendship and influence, finally has a chance to flourish. Because the story is told in first person from Ben's point of view, we don't get to experience Jean-Yves' thoughts and feelings directly, only through the filter of Ben's perspective.
For me, the downside of this novel and the reason I gave it 3.5 cherries is that it gets so meandering in the long middle that it starts to bog down. Some of the scenes don't seem to either advance the plot or reveal character, they seem to exist purely for the purpose of more local color, and at times Ben's reservations about a relationship with Jean-Yves seem overly repetitive. One can always skim those parts, though, because the novel covers a lot of ground, in terms of miles, years, and character growth (especially that of Jean-Yves), and is definitely satisfying. Don't be thrown by the title or the reference to hustlers; while a few gay male prostitutes do show up in the story, they aren't a big part of it.
Overall, P'tit Cadeau is an enjoyable, insightful novel that transports the reader easily and is the next best thing to a private romantic European artists' retreat.
http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Jean-Yves is most definitely not feeble minded, nor really childlike -- he just hasn't had the chance, under his sister's suspicious and watchful eye, to spread his wings and be his own person. True, he is quite a bit younger than Ben and looks even younger than he is, but he has a rich inner life that, with Ben's friendship and influence, finally has a chance to flourish. Because the story is told in first person from Ben's point of view, we don't get to experience Jean-Yves' thoughts and feelings directly, only through the filter of Ben's perspective.
For me, the downside of this novel and the reason I gave it 3.5 cherries is that it gets so meandering in the long middle that it starts to bog down. Some of the scenes don't seem to either advance the plot or reveal character, they seem to exist purely for the purpose of more local color, and at times Ben's reservations about a relationship with Jean-Yves seem overly repetitive. One can always skim those parts, though, because the novel covers a lot of ground, in terms of miles, years, and character growth (especially that of Jean-Yves), and is definitely satisfying. Don't be thrown by the title or the reference to hustlers; while a few gay male prostitutes do show up in the story, they aren't a big part of it.
Overall, P'tit Cadeau is an enjoyable, insightful novel that transports the reader easily and is the next best thing to a private romantic European artists' retreat.
http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
November 22, 2011
It's tricky to decide the rating for this one for sure. It's a great book, but I'm still quite torn...
Let me explain.
At times it reads as a travel guide and a flowery one at that. It's annoying when you just go "tell me about the people, NOT the surroundings!" every twenty pages or so.
However, the love story is nice, different and cute. The main characters are mostly likeable and...
Well, just read it for yourself. It's a good, different book. But be prepared for prose about France.
Let me explain.
At times it reads as a travel guide and a flowery one at that. It's annoying when you just go "tell me about the people, NOT the surroundings!" every twenty pages or so.
However, the love story is nice, different and cute. The main characters are mostly likeable and...
Well, just read it for yourself. It's a good, different book. But be prepared for prose about France.
April 17, 2012
would have loved to give it 5 stars because i loved this book.
good characters, great travellog.
it somehow flows like a slow stream, without real moments of highlights; there are highlights, but somehow they are so woven into the flowing story that you nearly overread them. the story has great highlights, but they are not worked out enough to recognize them as such.
but i really enjoyed it nonetheless.
good characters, great travellog.
it somehow flows like a slow stream, without real moments of highlights; there are highlights, but somehow they are so woven into the flowing story that you nearly overread them. the story has great highlights, but they are not worked out enough to recognize them as such.
but i really enjoyed it nonetheless.
November 25, 2012
Well, this was a rather interesting read. I must admit that I had my doubts about this one - mainly because the title and the cover are strange. But once you get into the story, it makes sense why the book is titled "P'tit Cadeau" and why the cover is that. I enjoyed reading this book - more with the first half than the second. What I liked about this novel is that has a realistic feel to it.
March 19, 2011
3.5 really liked the characters, but could've done with less of the travelogue
June 23, 2015
Excellent.
December 25, 2018
What a fabulous story. I loved it. I enjoyed the tempo of the book but I can understand how some might find it a bit languorous. The descriptions of the countryside and the people were affective (as in causing emotion or feeling). I felt great empathy for the MCs, and I fell in love with the small villages and seaside towns.
Jean-Yves' tenacity was inspiring. His innocence and trusting nature and, later, his confidence were perfect characterizations. I also liked Ben - I have a thing for sexy professors. I would love to see his self-portrait. :)
This book was very well written. It is on my favorites shelf.
Jean-Yves' tenacity was inspiring. His innocence and trusting nature and, later, his confidence were perfect characterizations. I also liked Ben - I have a thing for sexy professors. I would love to see his self-portrait. :)
This book was very well written. It is on my favorites shelf.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews