Normal Too?

Normal? #2

by Stephen J. Mulrooney

“Sometimes it takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes, as in our case, that village looks more like The Village People. And sometimes, it is not the village that raises the child, but the child that raises the village … often to heights they never imagined.”
With these words, Gene Poole-Hall takes us on another wonderful journey to show us that the love we have for one another is the most beautiful expression of who and what we are, whether it is expressed between or within genders, generations, or the rainbow of races and creeds that comprise the human experience. He reminds us that the important thing is not who we love, but that we love; and that a true family is a creation, whether we are born or evolve into it.
In this sequel to Normal?, Stephen J. Mulrooney shows us again that when it comes to the trials and tribulations of growing up, infatuation and love, the experience for us all is the same, no matter where we stand in the spectrum of the human rainbow.
Normal Too? begins with a simple trip by Gene’s brother Robbie to New York City to celebrate his brother’s birthday. On his return from a memorable celebration, Robbie encounters a young runaway in Grand Central Station. The boy looked hungry and in need of help. Robbie, being Robbie, was hungry to help. The exchange between these two seemingly very different characters will have a profound effect on their lives, and the lives of Robbie’s entire extended family.
The young boy, Chris, arrives at the family home weighed down with more baggage than the few possessions he is carrying. His fears and secrecy belie an otherwise compelling nature. In Robbie’s words, “this boy is a lot like an onion, and there are bound to be tears behind the peels.” What follows is a story that grows and evolves in love, as the story of every loving family must; and illustrates that when it comes to family, “at the heart of the matter, it is the heart that matters most.”
Chris’s introduction to a predominately gay extended family that includes a few retired drag queens, and even a straight rabbi, is not an easy one for a rural southern orphan. The boy has never experienced anyone or anything like what he’s about to. But as his preconceived notions, fears, and the story of his life begin to peel in one adventure after another, what unfolds is one of the most beautiful stories of love and family you will ever read.

213 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

Stephen Mulrooney’s thirty-something year dream of becoming a writer began to take shape in 2009 when the characters in these books began telling him their stories. It took another three years before he realized the best way to become a writer was to actually sit down and write. It helped. Stephen Mulrooney’s critically acclaimed first novel, NORMAL? was the first book in, what has become, the Normal? series.
NORMAL TOO? was Steve’s second book and the much-anticipated sequel to its predecessor. Apparently, the characters that told Steve their story in the first book haven’t stopped talking. He hopes you enjoyed their further adventures in that book as much as he has.
NORMAL CURVE? was Steve’s much awaited third novel in what Steve decided to extend into a series. It was ten years since Steve finished the first draft of NORMAL CURVE?. During most of that time, it sat patiently waiting for our return to it, to cut and polish it into the beautiful gem it became.
NORMAL VISION? is the latest, and fourth novel in the continuing Normal? series. It turns out his characters have much more to say than Steve ever imagined. He hopes you enjoy the ever-increasing Poole-Hall extended family, and their continuing adventures as much as he loves listening to them. By the way, Steve and the entire Poole-Hall family always think of you, dear reader, as one-of-the-family.
Steve still lives in Kansas City, MO with his husband, Jerome P. Van Wert, and their feline family. Tigger, the incredible cat, showed up one day and eventually took up residence.

Reviews

[Madeleine Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's here! The wonderful sequel to author Stephen J. Mulrooney's first novel, NORMAL?, has arrived!

The second book, NORMAL TOO?, continues the adventures of this very unique family. The characters continue to delight and to amaze us with their unconditional love and crazy sense of humor. You laugh. You cry. You bite your nails. You hold your breath as you ride their roller coaster of ups and downs.

Ultimately, you fall in love with this family all over again for their kindness and generosity of spirit.

Stephen J. Mulrooney captures their story with his brilliant and entertaining writing style. Enjoy!!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again a great story and very interesting characters but I have a gripe. Gene kind of moved to the periphery of the whole story. Since he is a writer perhaps the idea is that he is the one conveying the story but he isn't even physically present for much of the book.

Small bone to pick but I certainly want to get the author's opinion on the subject. Glad I got to read it. Keep writing Stephen!!