What do you think?
Rate this book
Top Mark
Meet ‘the Marks’.It was strange at first for Mark, dating a guy with the same first name as him. But ‘the Marks’ developed nicknames for each other. Mark became ‘Top Mark’, a sly nod to his role in the bedroom. But after seven years together, Mark hasn’t had much opportunity to be on top lately. There have been a lot of conversations avoided, unexplained absences, and some very unsettling phone calls.From the author of the very popular Sydney based novels 'Vanity Fierce' and 'The Indignities', comes this new e-book short. In his trademark sexy style, Graeme Aitken explores the intricacies of a modern gay relationship with wit, insight and empathy.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2012
4 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 10, 2012
This review can be found at The Armchair Reader. Spoilers ahead!
3.5 stars
This was an intriguing short story. It contains all those elements that I refuse to read. Open relationship, cheating, bittersweet ending? Check, check, check! Honestly, I was shocked I liked this one and in a way, I still don’t, but I think that’s just my natural rejection of those plot elements. I can’t deny, however, that once I started I had to figure out how it all happened.
This book holds a lot of punch for a short story. It starts off by introducing the couple, Mark and Mark. They differentiate the guys by giving nicknames. Marx, is the younger, initially less experienced Mark. While Top Mark is the older, experienced Mark. Over time, Marx gets frustrated with his lack of experience and explores on his own at the blessing of Top Mark. The story, however, is told from Top Mark’s (just Mark for this review) POV. It tells of his reaction to the way their seven year relationship has progressed and ultimately declined. It tells of his realization that something isn’t right, how he figures out some startling revelations of Marx and finally gets to the point where Mark has irreparably damaged the relationship to the point of no return.
This isn’t a hearts and roses type of story. It’s raw and powerful and captivating in a way that you’re hoping it gets better but also dreading the moment you realize it won’t. In a way, you sympathize with Mark because the man gets dumped by a cowardly douche bag. But then while you’re reading, you realize that while Marx grew distant, it’s very likely he did so because he didn’t want a relationship with himself. That’s exactly what happened, in my opinion. Marx changed in attitude and appearance and as he changed, Mark changed to match except Mark was no longer the sexy confident man. He became a domesticated, almost needy man. So, while I felt bad for Mark and hated Marx, I slightly understood why Marx wanted to leave. But I still hated Marx. No one deserves to get strung along and then dumped with not even a ‘See ya later’.
Either way, this story was amazing in the self-reflection it told about. Mark had his life changed and now he’s back to ground zero after giving his heart to a man that he thought would be his forever. It’s real and raw and touching. It’s something I don’t read often but I’m glad I picked this up because it shows that things aren’t always perfect and that sometimes you do have to start from scratch after getting all your preconceptions about a content life shattered into pieces.
My only reservation about the story was the ending. While I can handle the bittersweet ending because of its realism, it just ended. The last scene, after Mark figures out Marx has taken all his things, someone is banging on the door. But who you ask? I don’t know because it ends right before he opens the door. Can I get a nooooooooooooooooooo here?! I was devastated to say the least.
I would desperately love a sequel. Knowing who’s on the other side of the door would be lovely but also Mark getting a little bit of happiness would be even better. Maybe a little cheering up from his best friend, Sydney, is in order here. ;)
Definitely recommended to those brave enough to read!
3.5 stars
This was an intriguing short story. It contains all those elements that I refuse to read. Open relationship, cheating, bittersweet ending? Check, check, check! Honestly, I was shocked I liked this one and in a way, I still don’t, but I think that’s just my natural rejection of those plot elements. I can’t deny, however, that once I started I had to figure out how it all happened.
This book holds a lot of punch for a short story. It starts off by introducing the couple, Mark and Mark. They differentiate the guys by giving nicknames. Marx, is the younger, initially less experienced Mark. While Top Mark is the older, experienced Mark. Over time, Marx gets frustrated with his lack of experience and explores on his own at the blessing of Top Mark. The story, however, is told from Top Mark’s (just Mark for this review) POV. It tells of his reaction to the way their seven year relationship has progressed and ultimately declined. It tells of his realization that something isn’t right, how he figures out some startling revelations of Marx and finally gets to the point where Mark has irreparably damaged the relationship to the point of no return.
This isn’t a hearts and roses type of story. It’s raw and powerful and captivating in a way that you’re hoping it gets better but also dreading the moment you realize it won’t. In a way, you sympathize with Mark because the man gets dumped by a cowardly douche bag. But then while you’re reading, you realize that while Marx grew distant, it’s very likely he did so because he didn’t want a relationship with himself. That’s exactly what happened, in my opinion. Marx changed in attitude and appearance and as he changed, Mark changed to match except Mark was no longer the sexy confident man. He became a domesticated, almost needy man. So, while I felt bad for Mark and hated Marx, I slightly understood why Marx wanted to leave. But I still hated Marx. No one deserves to get strung along and then dumped with not even a ‘See ya later’.
Either way, this story was amazing in the self-reflection it told about. Mark had his life changed and now he’s back to ground zero after giving his heart to a man that he thought would be his forever. It’s real and raw and touching. It’s something I don’t read often but I’m glad I picked this up because it shows that things aren’t always perfect and that sometimes you do have to start from scratch after getting all your preconceptions about a content life shattered into pieces.
My only reservation about the story was the ending. While I can handle the bittersweet ending because of its realism, it just ended. The last scene, after Mark figures out Marx has taken all his things, someone is banging on the door. But who you ask? I don’t know because it ends right before he opens the door. Can I get a nooooooooooooooooooo here?! I was devastated to say the least.
I would desperately love a sequel. Knowing who’s on the other side of the door would be lovely but also Mark getting a little bit of happiness would be even better. Maybe a little cheering up from his best friend, Sydney, is in order here. ;)
Definitely recommended to those brave enough to read!
September 8, 2012
Thats just too sad. I wish i never read it.
June 25, 2012
It was free so I read... I wanted to give 2.5 stars and it was an interesting topic which about a gay couple their first names were Mark and Mark, at least I don't know any of gay couples have the same first name like that... I liked it from the beginning, but getting weird and weird into the story, how a mother wouldn't even recognize his own son? it just didn't make any sense to me, and I felt like I was watching off-off-Broadway monologues show, especially the ending...
July 25, 2012
Mark and Mark are an established couple with habits, quirks, and ways well known to each other, and that may be half the problem. They’ve been together seven years, and in spite of being able to give each other some space they may still have more togetherness than one of them wants.
Top Mark, our narrator, calls his lover Marx, partly as a joke, partly to differentiate them, something that doesn’t always work. The name conjured up a quote, which grew more and more ironic as the story progressed. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”
Unfortunately, Marx has little ability and great need—the depth of his reliance on others is crystal clear to everyone, including his lover, though everyone seems to accommodate him. Marx has no trouble raiding his lover’s wardrobe permanently and accepting lavish gifts from mommy, no trouble at all prolonging his college experience far beyond the bounds of reason, no trouble taking without giving.
The more our narrator tells us of the evolution of their relationship, from the days of their starting out to the more recent events of the last six months, the more the two men diverge. The more Marx clings to the perks of adolescence the older Mark seems by comparison, until the six-year gap looks like a chasm, but it’s one of responsibility more than age. And yet the tighter Mark clings.
The troubles between them unfold in small steps, each little detail piling on as Mark describes, with a certain naiveté, the recent goings on. Unsettling phone calls are almost the least of it, though providing a certain note of both humor and WTF.
Both Mark and Marx will provoke a lot of strong feelings, though Aww! won’t be among them. The ending will make you think and ache; there is no happily ever anything here, but it’s beautifully drawn misery.
Top Mark, our narrator, calls his lover Marx, partly as a joke, partly to differentiate them, something that doesn’t always work. The name conjured up a quote, which grew more and more ironic as the story progressed. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”
Unfortunately, Marx has little ability and great need—the depth of his reliance on others is crystal clear to everyone, including his lover, though everyone seems to accommodate him. Marx has no trouble raiding his lover’s wardrobe permanently and accepting lavish gifts from mommy, no trouble at all prolonging his college experience far beyond the bounds of reason, no trouble taking without giving.
The more our narrator tells us of the evolution of their relationship, from the days of their starting out to the more recent events of the last six months, the more the two men diverge. The more Marx clings to the perks of adolescence the older Mark seems by comparison, until the six-year gap looks like a chasm, but it’s one of responsibility more than age. And yet the tighter Mark clings.
The troubles between them unfold in small steps, each little detail piling on as Mark describes, with a certain naiveté, the recent goings on. Unsettling phone calls are almost the least of it, though providing a certain note of both humor and WTF.
Both Mark and Marx will provoke a lot of strong feelings, though Aww! won’t be among them. The ending will make you think and ache; there is no happily ever anything here, but it’s beautifully drawn misery.
August 30, 2014
I've giving Top Mark five stars for how well written the story was. It made you feel, made you question, made your heart pound in what it knew was inevitable dread. The entire thing is told from the perspective of the inner workings/thoughts of the protagonist. I have to say this--I'm so sick of readers on Goodreads and other sites giving low rating to novels/short stories because they were sad or the reader didn't like how the story ended, or because it made them hurt, or--god forbid--it's not your cliche romance novel like every other thing you've read recently. That's good writing folks! If a short can accomplish that much emotion (especially in something as short as this), you've got something special in your hands. This is not a happy, fun read. However, it is an excellent written story--in some ways a study of realization as a man comes to terms with the truth of his relationship and his own instability. Gonna take a bit to shrug off the melancholy this story brought forth. Maybe not a funny, easy feeling, but thank you for the gift of artful wordplay and story telling, Graeme Aitken.
June 15, 2012
The first thing we read in the blurb for this book is: ”Meet ‘the Marks’”
Which is kinda a lie, because we only really meet one of the Marks. The one called “Top Mark” or as I would call him: “kind-of-freaky-wannabe-
This short story, is basically a monologue from a guy, who’s in a relationship with a younger guy, where he’s thinking through some scenes from their time together, I guess.. Or.. Well. He’s thinking about times where he’s done all he can to freak out his boyfriend, by trying to become his boyfriend.
Personally I would have liked a different ending (or just an ending) but oh vey, we can’t get everything we want..
Read
February 18, 2014Without doubt Top Mark is a story with a twist, so unexpected that it turned almost in a thriller from the sweet romance the author was lulling us at first.
The story of stylish Mark who meets new-hippy Mark, 6 years of difference and a whole world of experience between them, they become the Marks, Top Mark and Marx; but Marx is like a bloodsucker, eating Top Mark’s life. Does he realize it? I don’t think so, the old Marx seems really smitten by Top Mark, I liked him. Not so much now, reliving their story from Top Mark’s perspective, reading how he is basically mistreating a man in love, not giving him neither the decency of a farewell.
This is not a happily ever after romance, but it’s for sure good literature.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085BEJZS/?...
The story of stylish Mark who meets new-hippy Mark, 6 years of difference and a whole world of experience between them, they become the Marks, Top Mark and Marx; but Marx is like a bloodsucker, eating Top Mark’s life. Does he realize it? I don’t think so, the old Marx seems really smitten by Top Mark, I liked him. Not so much now, reliving their story from Top Mark’s perspective, reading how he is basically mistreating a man in love, not giving him neither the decency of a farewell.
This is not a happily ever after romance, but it’s for sure good literature.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085BEJZS/?...
July 22, 2012
I can't say why I like this. It really isn't a story. More of a running monologue inside this guy's head. But, something about his journey spoke to me. If our country ever progresses to the place where GLBT lit is included in Freshman Comp...I expect to see Top Mark included. It has a lot of layers and if I were so inclined, I could probably write an essay about it, with a longer word count. For me it was a brilliant piece of writing that made me feel.
July 11, 2012
SERIOUSLY!
September 30, 2012
Well written and engaging, but lacked resolution.
July 30, 2013
I like this book, however, it came to a rather abrupt ending, I hopeing that there might be a follow up to this one, to tell the other side of the story.
June 18, 2018
It was OK. Was not very impressed by the writing, or storyline.
Will I read other books by this author? Probably.
Will I read other books by this author? Probably.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews