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The President's Son

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Book by Kraus, Krandall

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 1986

60 people want to read

About the author

Krandall Kraus

11 books10 followers

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5 stars
4 (8%)
4 stars
13 (28%)
3 stars
19 (41%)
2 stars
8 (17%)
1 star
2 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
353 reviews4 followers
June 20, 2024
This novel was gift in 1996, so it has been on my TBR for 28 years!! This must be some kind of record.

It is the story of a tight presidential election campaign by the Democratic incumbent. The advisors around the president are trying to keep from the public the fact that the president's only child is gay. There are a number of subplots most showing how corrupt place Washington, DC, is, as if we don't know.

This is light, summertime reading, with a thrilleresque plot and thin characterizations. It is sort of fun, but not very memorable. I couldn't get into it at the beginning, but I actually became interested about half-way through. Hated the ending.

It was written in 1986, and things have changed since then. But will they stay changed.

Love the cover.

2.75
155 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2022
Written more than 4 decades ago, much of the social backdrop of this novel is a flashback to hopefully bygone days. Almost everyone in this novel is trying to keep the President's gay son deeply in the closet, and this scheme serves as the landscape for this interesting, but overly complicated, thriller. I really didn't get into the plot until about halfway through the book, and even then, there are many subplots that make the novel confusing and difficult to follow at times. This confusion, as well as an unsatisfying ending, resulted in my rating of a three, rather than a four.
Profile Image for Greg Petruska.
140 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2017
This was a re-read for me, having read it in my early coming out years. I am sure that it meant something to me then, as I held onto it. Years out of the closet and changing political climates have changed the way I read it this time around. Even though I knew how it ends, I couldn't help but hope for a different one this time around...
Profile Image for Xavier.
2 reviews
June 26, 2018
Yes I read this 🙈

I was 17, and the story was cute...and made me want a bodyguard.
Profile Image for Simeon.
177 reviews
May 13, 2021
Not the gay love story I was hoping for…
Profile Image for Jay.
Author 4 books8 followers
March 17, 2013
SlashReaders: It's been a goodly number of years since I read this book; however, I think I will always remember it. This is a book I took with me when I was studying abroad. I remember reading it as we passed through the Spanish country side and being quiet amused, all around. At the time this really wasn't the kind of book I would pick up, I was much more of a fantasy nut. But I remember being thoroughly engrossed in all the pages between.

In look back at my old review, I must say that there was one thing that really irritated me about this book. That was the ending. I won't tell you what happened because that would ruin it; however, sigh.

'The President's Son', is wonderfully written book and having read some of Krandall's other works--the reason I picked up something out of the ordinary--I enjoy this author. Despite the end it's a wonderful book, the characters are great and the story is every well played up. Just expect a lot of angst. ;)
Profile Image for Greg.
13 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2015
This political thriller was a mostly-entertaining read, but rather than be the center of attention, the title character turns out to be little more than a politic football (as I suppose gays always are on the political landscape, especially in election years) to be manipulated by the CIA.

Disappointingly, most of the gay characters here come to the unpleasant ends which were seemingly required of them in books and other media of this time (written in 1986) and earlier. So to recap, good read with a disappointing and sudden ending. :P
195 reviews
April 11, 2016
Either the author planned a sequel or he ran out of time and the publisher called for the manuscript. The ending was a cliff hanger or over the cliff, depending on a forthcoming sequel or lack there of. I thought it funny that the straight sex scenes were more erotic and explicit than any of the gay sex scenes.
Profile Image for Jay.
140 reviews12 followers
January 2, 2010
This book started out as a fairly predictable read but ended up with a real sting in the tail that I simply could not believe!
Having said that, would I recommend it? Not particularly. The story plods along and the characters are pretty stereotypical... I don't think I'd read it again myself.
Profile Image for Brad.
77 reviews
March 17, 2011
This book was ok until the end. I feel like the author decided he needed to wrap up the story and move onto something else. I wish there had been a epilogue or something that let you know the fall out of the events on the last two pages!
Profile Image for Drag Queens Read.
16 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2010
A brilliantly written and engaging novel about lust for power and betrayal of love.
1 review
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August 28, 2017
WHAT?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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