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Christopher: A Tale of Seduction
“Either he’s channeling Truman Capote’s spirit, or Allison Burnett has created, all by himself, one of the more assured narrative voices in recent memory. His B. K. Troop is a pitch-perfect bitchy-funny with a twist of rue.” —Louis Bayard, author of Fool’s Errand and Endangered Species
“ Christopher is the literary equivalent of sparkling banter whose aftermath is trenchant poignancy. The deep, sad truths of this slyly funny novel continue to gather force long after you’ve finished reading.” —Kate Christensen, author of In the Drink and Jeremy Thrane
The delicious debut of a hilarious new voice in fiction. It’s Oscar Wilde meets Nabokov meets something entirely new.
Unemployed, middle-aged, bipolar, gay, bitingly witty, erudite, unattractive, and lonely, B. K. Troop, the narrator of Christopher , isn’t exactly looking forward to a life of exciting prospects—until he meets his new neighbor. Christopher Ireland is a twenty-five-year-old idealist and aspiring novelist still reeling from a bitter divorce. Even though B.K. knows full well that Christopher is hopelessly heterosexual, he wants nothing more than to seduce him, so he sets about his self-appointed mission with all the cunning and zeal of the Big Bad Wolf.
Christopher recounts B.K’s year long attempt to consummate his lust, with hilarious results. But it also charts the coming of age of Christopher who, like all true idealists, throws himself body and soul into the quest for a meaningful life. He develops a crush on a married waitress, gets involved in politics, enrolls in a New Age workshop, struggles to begin his first novel, and battles to free himself from the clutches of his monstrous mother. Thankfully, all of this is seen through B.K’s eyes and narrated in his deliciously incisive and witty voice.
As often happens in tales of seduction, the seducer winds up being seduced by his prey, and that is precisely what, to his horror, B.K. discovers as his feelings turn more tender than predatory. Both darkly ironic and poignantly romantic, Christopher is a remarkable debut by a brave, acerbic, and original new writer.
“ Christopher is the literary equivalent of sparkling banter whose aftermath is trenchant poignancy. The deep, sad truths of this slyly funny novel continue to gather force long after you’ve finished reading.” —Kate Christensen, author of In the Drink and Jeremy Thrane
The delicious debut of a hilarious new voice in fiction. It’s Oscar Wilde meets Nabokov meets something entirely new.
Unemployed, middle-aged, bipolar, gay, bitingly witty, erudite, unattractive, and lonely, B. K. Troop, the narrator of Christopher , isn’t exactly looking forward to a life of exciting prospects—until he meets his new neighbor. Christopher Ireland is a twenty-five-year-old idealist and aspiring novelist still reeling from a bitter divorce. Even though B.K. knows full well that Christopher is hopelessly heterosexual, he wants nothing more than to seduce him, so he sets about his self-appointed mission with all the cunning and zeal of the Big Bad Wolf.
Christopher recounts B.K’s year long attempt to consummate his lust, with hilarious results. But it also charts the coming of age of Christopher who, like all true idealists, throws himself body and soul into the quest for a meaningful life. He develops a crush on a married waitress, gets involved in politics, enrolls in a New Age workshop, struggles to begin his first novel, and battles to free himself from the clutches of his monstrous mother. Thankfully, all of this is seen through B.K’s eyes and narrated in his deliciously incisive and witty voice.
As often happens in tales of seduction, the seducer winds up being seduced by his prey, and that is precisely what, to his horror, B.K. discovers as his feelings turn more tender than predatory. Both darkly ironic and poignantly romantic, Christopher is a remarkable debut by a brave, acerbic, and original new writer.
259 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Allison Burnett
18 books72 followersAllison Burnett grew up in Evanston, Illinois, the son of a clinical psychologist and a Northwestern University professor. After graduating from Northwestern, he was a fellow of the Lila Acheson Wallace Playwriting Program at the Juilliard School.
His novels include Christopher (a finalist for the 2004 PEN Center USA Literary Award), The House Beautiful, Undiscovered Gyrl, Death By Sunshine, the Escape of Malcolm Poe, Another Girl, the Ghosts of Normal, and The Last Girl Podcast.
Allison adapted Undiscovered Gyrl for the screen and directed the film, entitled Ask Me Anything, starring Britt Robertson, Martin Sheen, Justin Long, and Christian Slater.
Allison also wrote and directed the sequel, Another Girl, starring Sammi Hanratty.
Allison's latest novel is The Last Girl Podcast. While it stands alone as a thriller, it marks the completion of the Katie Kampenfelt Trilogy.
His essays, stories, book reviews, and poetry have appeared on various websites and in multiple publications.
Allison's screenwriting credits include Autumn in New York, Red Meat, Untraceable, Resurrecting the Champ, Feast of Love, Underworld Awakening, and Gone.
His novels include Christopher (a finalist for the 2004 PEN Center USA Literary Award), The House Beautiful, Undiscovered Gyrl, Death By Sunshine, the Escape of Malcolm Poe, Another Girl, the Ghosts of Normal, and The Last Girl Podcast.
Allison adapted Undiscovered Gyrl for the screen and directed the film, entitled Ask Me Anything, starring Britt Robertson, Martin Sheen, Justin Long, and Christian Slater.
Allison also wrote and directed the sequel, Another Girl, starring Sammi Hanratty.
Allison's latest novel is The Last Girl Podcast. While it stands alone as a thriller, it marks the completion of the Katie Kampenfelt Trilogy.
His essays, stories, book reviews, and poetry have appeared on various websites and in multiple publications.
Allison's screenwriting credits include Autumn in New York, Red Meat, Untraceable, Resurrecting the Champ, Feast of Love, Underworld Awakening, and Gone.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 6, 2013
This book made me say "I want to write a book someday", even though someday came and I did write a book. What I mean is" Someday I want to write this book", and since Allison Burnett has already done that so beautifully all that's left for me is to tell you about it and press, digitally, upon you. Hesomehow inhabits the body and soul of a character who we almost never see in a full, empathic light -- the Old Queen, on his uppers in Manhattan, lusting after an Unattainable Lovely Young Man. B.K. Troop's hopeless longing is, in Burnett's hand, revealed as a longing to connect, to honor a small bit of beauty in a world that declares his own beauty gone. And B.K. is funny, too. And on to himself. So, by the end, he becomes gallant, and the slender bok that holds him almost palpably gains weight in your hand. Christopher isn't wise, but CHRISTOPHER is.
April 5, 2012
Comedy and Tragedy and Why They Relate
Allison Burnett bows onto the First Novelist Stage with a novel that is hilarious, witty, intelligent, acerbic, and warm, tender, and loving all at once. Burnett very obviously possesses a keen wit and is well read: one of the perks of reading CHRISTOPHER: A TALE OF SEDUCTION is frequent literary references and puns that stimulate the brain as well as entertain the mind.
The tale of seduction storybook is narrated by BK Troop, an endlessly provocative, caustic, overweight and unattractive bipolar gay man in his forties who has just fled his Manhattan apartment under threat of decapitation by his schizophrenic landlady and takes up residence in an apartment that just happens to be next door to 25 year old straight Christopher Ireland, a handsome but unlucky in love and marriage wannabe novelist on the skids. Convinced he can seduce this 'victim' BK begins a story that takes place during the entire year of 1984. Christopher has needs that date back to his comically/tragically crazy childhood, his problems with relating to women are colored by his relationship to a madcap banshee of a psychiatrist mother. During this significant year of 1984 BK Troop observes, connives, cajoles, fantasizes and otherwise attempts to lure the sad sack Christopher into his lair only to discover that something he never has found - love - topples his house of cards philosophy of life and sexuality. In the span of a year BK and Christopher grow to find a kinship that serves them both well and the multiplicity of events narrated by the brilliant BK become gradually less preposterous and more human. This change in BK's role as the seducer of record is explained: "In my madness, I felt that I was as ugly a human being as had ever lived. A monster really, whose life was a giant sham, a fey intellectual burlesque, designed to distract others and myself from the truth, which was that, although I dreaded loneliness more than anything else, I had come to earth to die of it." And his opinion of Christopher as the object of his game of seduction alters: "For is it not a fact of our modern age that the family we cherish most is the not one who shares our noses and tempers, but the one with whom we share the minutia of our daily lives."
And from January through December 1984 we a taken on a commedia dell'arte ride, learning much about wild cap Manhattan, the vagaries of human relationships, all manner of bizarre adjustments and lack of adjustments to living in the world today, all with more insight into the differences between the gay vs. straight psyche than most novels deliver. Burnett Allison is a refreshingly fine writer and he leaves an indelible stamp on our minds. This book deserves a much wider audience!
Grady Harp
Allison Burnett bows onto the First Novelist Stage with a novel that is hilarious, witty, intelligent, acerbic, and warm, tender, and loving all at once. Burnett very obviously possesses a keen wit and is well read: one of the perks of reading CHRISTOPHER: A TALE OF SEDUCTION is frequent literary references and puns that stimulate the brain as well as entertain the mind.
The tale of seduction storybook is narrated by BK Troop, an endlessly provocative, caustic, overweight and unattractive bipolar gay man in his forties who has just fled his Manhattan apartment under threat of decapitation by his schizophrenic landlady and takes up residence in an apartment that just happens to be next door to 25 year old straight Christopher Ireland, a handsome but unlucky in love and marriage wannabe novelist on the skids. Convinced he can seduce this 'victim' BK begins a story that takes place during the entire year of 1984. Christopher has needs that date back to his comically/tragically crazy childhood, his problems with relating to women are colored by his relationship to a madcap banshee of a psychiatrist mother. During this significant year of 1984 BK Troop observes, connives, cajoles, fantasizes and otherwise attempts to lure the sad sack Christopher into his lair only to discover that something he never has found - love - topples his house of cards philosophy of life and sexuality. In the span of a year BK and Christopher grow to find a kinship that serves them both well and the multiplicity of events narrated by the brilliant BK become gradually less preposterous and more human. This change in BK's role as the seducer of record is explained: "In my madness, I felt that I was as ugly a human being as had ever lived. A monster really, whose life was a giant sham, a fey intellectual burlesque, designed to distract others and myself from the truth, which was that, although I dreaded loneliness more than anything else, I had come to earth to die of it." And his opinion of Christopher as the object of his game of seduction alters: "For is it not a fact of our modern age that the family we cherish most is the not one who shares our noses and tempers, but the one with whom we share the minutia of our daily lives."
And from January through December 1984 we a taken on a commedia dell'arte ride, learning much about wild cap Manhattan, the vagaries of human relationships, all manner of bizarre adjustments and lack of adjustments to living in the world today, all with more insight into the differences between the gay vs. straight psyche than most novels deliver. Burnett Allison is a refreshingly fine writer and he leaves an indelible stamp on our minds. This book deserves a much wider audience!
Grady Harp
March 3, 2016
there was so much boring navel gazing happening in this book i don't know if i could have rolled my eyes any further back into my head.
January 20, 2018
Bitchy comments and queeny repartee can be hysterically amusing; but there has to be something behind them. I have no idea what B.K saw in Christopher, even months later when he supposedly transformed. It seemed like the author added Chris' mother Grace to the story to explain him better, but she added little to the story for me. Overall a disappointment
February 23, 2022
A quirky, unexpected book. Profound, revolting, depressing and life-affirming all at once.
July 29, 2012
Burnett's debut novel introduces us to us a most interesting protagonist - B. K. Troop - a heavy set, less than aesthetic, aging homosexual man who becomes obsessed with the title character. Christopher is young, handsome, naive and painfully straight. Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, B.K. believes that he can still turn the boy into a conquest by taking advantage of his delicate situation. Christopher is a freshly divorced English teacher who has run away from the pain of losing his ex and suffering his overbearing mother has put him through, in order to write his long suppressed novel. Burnett takes us on a bumpy ride as the relationship develops and changes throughout the year 1984. This character-driven story pulls the reader in, as we start out disgusted and then fascinated by the workings of B.K's mind and his less than savory tactics to reach his goal. Burnett uses the flamboyance of his narrator's personality to embellish his prose with quips and high-brow remarks, making it not only an intelligent read, but one that sparkles with wit and humor.
June 27, 2008
I really enjoyed this. I'd have to say it was maybe more of a 3.8 than a full 4, but I did, legitimately, really like it, even if it can be silly and a bit flip. I wouldn't go out and buy it, but having found it at work with a little post-it that said "FREE!", it was quite a pleasant surprise. It read quickly, had nice doses of wit, a great narrative voice and good characters. Plus it really captured New York (though in '85), which further services to fuel my current nostalgia flame. (This also, on a side note, made me surprised that the author was an Angeleno. Go fig.) I suppose there were a few lags in plot and false leads, but on the whole it was enjoyable, and was light enough that I could read it at my desk while slightly sleep-deprived (which is the kind of literature I need a lot of these days.) So for sure, it's a good vacation book for the plane or the beach.
August 12, 2009
I got this on loan from a friend who loved it. I found it alternately hilarious and infuriating. B.K. Troop is one of those narrators that makes you often want to reach into the book and go "Wait! No, no, no....!" just as he is about to do something outrageously shameful once again. Definite points for originality - the voice is one I've not read before, and it's assuredly unflinching while maintaining a good sense of sarcasm. Also, points for great vocabulary words - look up catamite. What a terrific word! But in the end, I guess the whole of the novel just left me a little cold.
November 6, 2008
B.K., the narrator of this book, is as memorable a character as I have ever come across. He is an older gay man who becomes infatuated with Christopher, a much younger straight man. At first B.K.'s interest in Christopher is purely sexual, but he very quickly comes to care about him as a friend. It is a surprisingly touching story.
B.K. is somewhat reminiscent of Sebastian Horsley and Oscar Wilde and other awesome narrators like that. Maybe a little like Humbert Humbert also.
B.K. is somewhat reminiscent of Sebastian Horsley and Oscar Wilde and other awesome narrators like that. Maybe a little like Humbert Humbert also.
January 1, 2013
A wonderfully surprising and deeply affecting novel, both funny and heart wrenching; Christopher is a rare gem of a novel. Allison Burnett created an anti-hero who's doing all the wrong things, and yet you still find yourself cheering him on, hoping he'll get what he so desperately desires. B.K. Is a good person, and just as with any of us, thinks more with his heart than with his head. Ultimately unforgettable and tremendously entertaining, Christopher is a definite must-read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews