Child of My Right Hand

by Eric Goodman

The stunning third novel from acclaimed author Eric Goodman is the story of a middle class college professors Jack and Genna Barish and their two children, fourteen-year-old Lizzy and seventeen-year-old Simon. The four have just moved to Tipton, Ohio, a small town divided by bigotry and class tensions, when Simon announces to his family, and eventually to the town, what his parents have long suspected―that he is gay. As Jack and Genna struggle to deal with their son's sexuality, his oppressive, ever-present teenaged angst and the conflicts that are raised within their marriage, the complex dynamics of a family love, doubt, betrayal, and sympathy―all strikingly caught by the author. Equally vivid are the Tipton residents' spectrum of reactions to Simon, ranging from open acceptance to acts of violent rage. This is a beautifully written and complex work of fiction.

Genres: Fiction, Gay, LGBT

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

MOTHER OF BOURBON is Eric Goodman's 1st historical novel and 8th overall. It is also his first collaboration.
Goodman is probably best-known for the first two books of the Singer Saga, which are multi-generational novels telling the story of a father, "Jewish Joe" Singer and his son, Jess, who both pitch for the New York Mets. IN DAYS OF AWE, which focuses on Joe's story, appeared in 1991, published by Knopf. CURVEBALL, which focuses on Jess's story (a closeted gay man with a great curve) was published in 2024 by Post Hill Press.

For many years Goodman directed the Creative Writing Program at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most accurate and readable books about adolescence I have ever read. Even though it was painful at times, I enjoyed every heartbreakingly honest minute. A must-read for all teens and their parents. This should go on the shelf next to such greats as Tobias Woolf's This Boy's Life, Judy Blume's Forever, and Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started slowly for me. I can see now that it was because Goodman really wanted us to become part of the family whose lives make up the book. And it's well worth the effort. Goodman uses a somewhat unique style of shifting narrators: mom, dad, gay teenage son Simon (there's also a younger daughter, Lizzie). The parents are college professors, and the family has just moved to Tipton, Ohio, to avoid the long commute they'd been making from Cincinnati.

The story covers a number of months in the family's life. We see them develop new friends and face new challenges, not the least of which is a group of bigots at the local high school who torment Simon. And, of course, all the normal problems faced by families everywhere, by teenagers everywhere, and by gays figuring out who they are.

I think what ultimately turns this into a 4-star book for me is Goodman's understated way of presenting the very powerful forces that affect our lives, and making us feel a part of the Barish family as they face them. The reader is totally drawn in emotionally. And the gripping drama -- which is certainly there -- isn't artificially imposed by unusual external events, but arises from what could truly happen to anyone, anywhere.

[Dajana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️. Some unexpected unpleasantness (going to keep it light but really trigger warnings) and I didn’t really see what was humorous basically at all in the book per the cover.. nonetheless, heart wrenching and very well written. Would love to know what else happens to this family, and more about sweets and Lizzie’s perspectives.

[Kita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a workshop in Iowa with Eric Goodman this summer and read his most recent book, Twelfth and Race, before the workshop. I was interested in reading this book after hearing him talk about it. It's not an autobiography, but Goodman raised his own gay son in a college town in Ohio. (Child of My Right Hand is the story of a family in Ohio and part of the novel is about how they deal with homophobia in their small college town.) I love how everyone in the book is flawed yet you are rooting for them. Goodman does a great job of mixing some large issues for the family - homophobia, adultery, etc. - with smaller, everyday issues - teenagers acting irritated and embarrassed by their parents, parents feeling frustrated with their son's lack of interest in schoolwork. It all felt very real.

[Grey853 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about growing up gay in the U.S. where homophobia is more prominent than tolerance. It's an extremely touching story about Simon as he and his family move to a new town and he begins his junior year. It doesn't take long for the local rednecks to start the harassment and for the bullying to begin.

However, it's not just about Simon. It's also about his whole family and how they too are impacted by the attacks.

I highly recommend it.

[Judy Mann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a deadly bore. It's like reading a very dull Hallmark card about just how really groovey it is to have a gay son. It's complete drek. Why didn't the author just tell his son directly and save a few trees, not to mention my time and my patience? Rosey, peachy clean crap.
Not on of these characters are believable. Not one of them makes any sense. Really -a very bad Hallmark card. Father knows best and all that blathering crap.I'm done. JM

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library just b/c it looked good. I enjoyed it, though I liked the first half better than the second half and I thought it ended rather abruptly, like he couldn't think of what else to say. But I'm glad I read it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I'm always looking for. The characters were real and the story came naturally from their personalities. Goodman's style is beautiful and I look forward to reading him again.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book was well-written. My main quibble is with the characterization of the mother. She's supposed to be a women's studies prof., and yet she hadn't seemed to absorb much feminist thinking at all. I think the author's sexism was showing a bit there.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story of a gay teen who faces the common challenges of high-school bullying combined with academic difficulties and parents who love their children (and each other) but have their own issues that complicate the family dynamics.

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an extremely touching book that covered a variety of difficult subjects. It was truly an eye opener about the life of a homosexual teen boy.