The Second Son

by John Inman

It’s an old, old a tale of the consequences of good and evil. Plus the limitless power of faith and love, and how they can forever change an empty life.

When Charlie Strickland, a reclusive artist living in the backwoods of Indiana, opens his door to find a handsome young stranger standing naked on his front porch, an astounding odyssey begins.

It doesn’t take Charlie long to fall head over heels in love with his oddly innocent visitor. The young man calls himself Joe. Just Joe. But when amazing things begin to happen, Charlie soon comes to realize who Joe really is.

What follows will turn Charlie’s world, and everyone else’s, upside down.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary, Fantasy, Supernatural, LGBT, M M Paranormal

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2016

About the author

A Lambda Literary Award finalist and the author of over forty novels, John has been writing fiction for as long as he can remember. Born on a small farm in Indiana, he now resides in San Diego, California where he spends his time gardening, pampering his pets, hiking and biking the trails and canyons of San Diego, and of course, writing. He and his partner share a passion for theater, books, film, and the continuing fight for marriage equality. If you would like to know more about John, check out his website at----
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

DNF at 30%. No rating.

This is a beautifully written book, but very much not my taste. This is a largely allegorical story with Christian themes, alluding to biblical tales that I literally cannot comprehend because I know next to nothing about Christianity.

I was little put off by the way that Joe is constantly called "boy," and I just didn't gel with the story. It was getting a little dark for me when I DNFed, but I think that it is probably a very meaningful, worthwhile read for many people who are interested in these sorts of stories.

This is also not a romance, or at least it wasn't romance when I put it down. It is more along the lines of gay fiction, which is also evident from the DSP Publications imprint of Dreamspinner Press, which is the non-romance line.

I hope others enjoy this story, but it was a poor fit for me.

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Son
By John Inman
Dreamspinner Press, 2016
Cover by Paul Richmond
ISBN: 978-1-6476-573-2
292 pages
Five stars

I finally decided on five stars—a rarity for me—because of John Inman’s bravery in bringing a story like this to realization. The author has tackled a complicated and difficult idea and mostly succeeded. He has made narrative choices that sometimes puzzled me, but which must reflect, if not Inman’s personal beliefs, then his background and upbringing. This is a book that comes from the heart and soul of its writer and is not merely an intellectual exercise in “what if?” As such, it may surprise Inman’s readership and displease some as well. I found it profoundly moving and thought provoking.

Charlie Strickland, reclusive and somewhat misanthropic artist, lives and paints on an isolated lake in rural Indiana, three hours from Chicago. He has an ex-wife and an ex-boyfriend in his past and finds himself perfectly happy to have no romantic entanglements. His art is what drives him, and at thirty-two, it seems that living a quiet life with his dog Mac and his painting is more important to him than celebrity, wealth, or any relationship.

Until a minor earthquake shakes up his house and a naked young man named Joe shows up on his doorstep.

Like other reviewers, I don’t want to spoil the many surprises that fill the pages of this narrative, but there is only one way to describe it: it is an apocalyptic gay love story. It raises vast ethical and religious issues in the context of one young man’s love for another. It offers us an image of a badly damaged world, seething with evil and yet also filled with promise. Ultimately, it is all about the power of love and about the danger of denying that power.

But there is an underlying motif in this book that makes it compelling for gay folk. Inman has chosen the setting and all of his plot points for a very specific purpose, and one that I suspect is as personal to him as it is to me. The book is—or was to me—a sort of benediction to a truth I have held to my heart since accepting that I was gay as a teenager: “Their kind of love, Joe knew, was not a sin... It never had been. Love was simply love.” It is a truth that many in the world—even in our liberal western world—still contest. “The Second Son” is a paean to this very basic declaration of personal belief, a belief that keeps many us going against the odds in the face of unending hostility.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS minor spoilers and don't read them unless you've read it or like spoilers

Formatted view read here ➙http://bit.ly/1NssWN7

The second son of whom is probably the most apt question to start this review with. John Inman latest novel is a fantastical and brilliant book that's derived from a very old story, one we all know of. Whether or not you follow it in your everyday lives doesn't matter, everybody has heard of it.

This novel is extremely hard to review without revealing spoilers, it's also something that I do not want to do. I want everyone who reads it to go in as blind as I did to experience one beautiful, yet heartbreaking tale of love and hate, good and evil, those caught in the middle of it all and sadly those who are preordained pawns who's fate is to have their strings pulled like marionettes in an utterly heart shattering way.

The Second Son is a spiritual awakening on a global scale, focused more on what is morally right and wrong in my opinion. Compared to having to be a righteous, church going Christian. I'll admit I'm not a fan of books based on religion or religious beliefs but the way this is written pretty much leaves religion out of it for the most part and focuses more on how individuals have conducted their lives.

This extraordinary tale is brilliantly written and although you begin to know where it's heading, it still doesn't stop you from reading on even though you know it's going to implode and wrench your heart out in the process. As it gains momentum the events that begin to happen on earth shape its direction forever, harbouring a new era for its inhabitants but more so for one than anybody else. Everybody has their lives turned upside-down but one reclusive man has it harder than anybody else.

Relatively well known artist Charlie Strickland left California years ago to settle as a recluse in a very isolated property in the Mid West State of Indiana. Now living a life of solitude after a failed marriage, and then a nasty break up with the man who was the cause of his marriage to break up. Charlie is now quite content now living peacefully and painting at his own leisure, giving up on his confusing sexuality and puts his true passion first, painting.

Early one night an eerie glow lights up the surrounding area, which is then rocked by a large earthquake. Scaring the bejesus out of him and his best friend Mac (Machismo), his dog, they're then plunged into the pitch black as the power goes off. Charlie gets this feeling that there is something very strange about this earthquake as it felt different and what was the deal with the creepy ass glow that felt like something from a fifties horror movie.

He stumbles around to find candles to clean up the mess of glass that two paintings made as they were ripped from the wall. He gives up after fifteen minutes and heads directly to where he knows his other friend is. He has no trouble locating the scotch-whiskey though, and gulps down a huge swig. As soon as the lights come back on Mac is still acting crazy and then the house is shaken again as another quake hits and Mac let out a wail that freaks Charlie out to the point where his skin crawls.

After a quick clean up, Charlie happily settles back down on the couch with Mac and another scotch after the excitement for the evening is now over, and then comes a knock on his door. They both ignore it, it comes again and they both ignore it until Mac begin to make another noise as the door handle begins to jiggle. Charlie decides to see who this persistent caller is and is not prepared for what he finds as he opens the door.

Standing before him is one of the most beautiful young men Charlie has ever laid eyes on, he is greeted with a blinding smile from this stranger and then Charlie notices that this handsome young man is unabashedly stark naked. The stranger then bends down to pat one very excited Mac, who is not good with strangers and then asks if he may come in. Charlie can sense that this young man is more than he seems as his eyes reflect an all to knowing innocence yet hold an ancient knowledge, as Charlie ushers him in. He finds him a robe and invites him to sit down. He then proceeds to tell Charlie he does not have to fear him and then asks Charlie to paint him. Charlie's mind is in overdrive and as he sits next to the young man his eyes begin to droop and before he can even get another question out of his mouth they're stretched out and snuggled together on the couch asleep.

The next morning Charlie awakes alone on the couch and as he remembers the previous nights events. His head goes into over drive. He doesn't even know the guys name. He has so many questions and when he finds him in his studio studying Charlie's work he finally get's to meet the very evasive Joe, or just Joe.The relentless questions Charlie keeps throwing at Joe are deflected as fast as they come, driving Charlie crazy. After a few days Joe begins to let his guard down and show Charlie who he really is, Charlie is in awe but deep down already knew Joe was something very precious and has already fallen in love with him, a love that he also understands can never happen.

As events around the world begin to heat up, Joe falls violently ill for days as he's part of the reason that it's happening. As he recovers he tells Charlie that he needs to paint him now. Time is running out and no matter how sick Joe still is, he never lets Charlie see it. As they almost finish Charlie's ex-wife shows up and cannot believe that Charlie has taken up with this young man, she calls him a con artist, and tries everything within her power to scare him off. Judith, now think of a male name that's similar, is also a huge pawn in this cosmic tragedy, resorts to pulling a gun on Joe as a last resort to scare him off and ends up shooting Charlie instead, killing him instantly.

That is as much as I'm going to reveal, there is so much more that happens before and after that but I decided to focus on a small snippet of Charlie and Joe. The intricacies revolving around the main storyline before and after this event are both magical and dark. Either way it's a beautiful yet very brutal story that where you have to put some faith into hoping that everything really does happen for a reason.

I will say one last thing though, for anyone thinking is it the return of Christ? The answer is no. The answer is in the title and although Joe is one very special person, daddy is pissed and makes Joe just another pawn in his grand scheme.

[Daniel Mitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews with a copy provided by the publisher / author for an honest review.)

There is so much I want to say about this book. I want to rave! I want to explain how good it is. But how to do that without major spoilers????

John Inman brings us a tale of a lonely, divorced, bisexual painter. Charlie Strickland is happy living almost off the grid, on a lonely piece of property with a lake in the middle of absolutely nowhere in the Midwest. He used to live in California, but likes the seclusion of his current life. Both his ex-wife and ex-lover have each gone their own ways, and he and his dog are quite happy.

All that changes when there is bright flash of light and an earthquake one night. An earthquake? The Midwest doesn’t get earthquakes do they? Then a knock comes on his door and there is a naked young man standing there…asking to come in. Charlie invites him in, and his life will never be the same.

That’s really all I can say! I’m biting my tongue. This was an excellent read, and I really enjoyed it. There are references about half way through to some truly loathsome people, and some truly evil deeds. The references are quick, so you could skip ahead on those pages if there is any particular trigger that bothers you, but I wouldn’t advise skipping that section. Mr. Inman did a great job at describing the sort of people who belong in Hell in my opinion.

Technically, of course, the book was flawless. Well written, well edited, and the pace and storyline were just right in my opinion.

I very highly recommend this one. There, I didn’t do any spoilers. I will tell you a couple things. This isn’t a romance in my opinion, and there is little or no on screen sex, so if those are important to you, you might want to skip this one, because you wouldn’t get it anyway. If you’re like me, and you enjoy a read that makes you think and reflect, take my advice, add this book to your TBR pile today, you won’t be sorry.

[Helie]

I am so disappointed to say this was a DNF for me, so I will not be giving it a rating.

I am a fan of John Inman! I like his quirky books and his more serious books but The Second Son just didn't work for me. I knew going into it that there would be religious elements...I just did not predict the directness of that theme. Talk of "the father" and a kind of baptism done to wash away sins, made me feel uncomfortable and I found myself cringing a few times. So obviously too much religion is a no-go zone for me...good to know!

I wish I could have counted the number of times "boy" was used to describe Joe (one of MCs)...I bet it would be in the hundreds. It was also just strange for me to read terms like "boy" and "child" while Charlie (the other MC) was trying not have lusty thoughts about him. It just felt off to me.

Over all I think it just came down to personal preference. This book was just to heavy on the religious themes for me, but I will still enjoy other works by John Inman :)

**This book was provided for an honest review.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how to write a review for this book, to be honest. I don't even know where to start, really.

While I was reading, I made some status updates - perhaps those will help me figure out what to say about this incredible, moving, and unexpectedly brilliant book. I say unexpectedly because while I expected to love a John Inman book, I didn't expect it to be so amazing and profound.

The status updates:
17% - "I'm not feeling this book yet. Though I think I already know who/what Joe is supposed to be. Also the cover image nicely depicts a scene from within. I like that."
25% - "Well, that was something else entirely. Didn't expect that...."
35% - "I would imagine it's very tricky to write a book about the 2nd coming of Christ (sort of), and not get preachy. But this isn't preachy at all. John Inman just lets his characters do their thing, and they make his point very clear indeed."
50% - "I have absolutely no idea where John is taking me with this book, but I can't stop reading. The cleansing I just witnessed on page - OMG. That was terrifying."
75% - "Oh. My. God. What wondrous thing is this book?"


So, as you can see, I went from "what is happening" to "OMG, OMG, OMG". It's hard to explain what this book really contains. The blurb hints, but doesn't really tell a reader what to expect, and I will try to not spoil things here.

I was majorly impressed with the fact that a book talking about and showing the 2nd coming of Christ didn't get preachy at all. It wasn't even super religious, but it sure had hellfire and brimstone. The Cleansing, as Joe calls it, is terrifying. People bursting into flames where they are standing, only to be taken to the eternal flames of Hell, where they will burn for the rest of eternity for the sinful and evil lives they've lived - scary and horrifying and utterly fascinating to read. And at the same time, as God unleashes his wrath upon the sinners, we see Joe suffering, crying, and near wasting away from the pain of knowing that all these souls are lost.

The contrast between Joe, pure, good, gentle, kind, willing to suffer and sacrifice for those he can save, and some of the other evil people we get to meet in this book is like the difference between the whitest white and the blackest black. One is pure light, and the other is complete darkness.

I cried a lot while reading. I cried in part because I was watching not only the human suffering but also the not-so-human Joe, who embodies the Christ I was taught about as a young child.

This isn't the apocalypse, even if it feels like it at times. Though obviously, due to the nature of the topic, this book is heavy on the religious theme. There is a baptism scene. There is a healing. So, if that sort of thing turns you off, this may not be the book for you.

The age difference between Charlie, the man who finds Joe on his doorstep, naked and out of the blue, and Joe himself was a little difficult to take on occasion, especially when Charlie refers to Joe as "The Boy" but yet has lustful thoughts about him. The latter, as far as Charlie was concerned, didn't disturb me as much - a gay man having lusty and perhaps somewhat inappropriate thoughts about a young man who is well-formed and beautiful inside and out was certainly understandable, especially considering that Charlie was aware of the inappropriateness and fought his attraction. He took steps to not let Joe see how he was feeling, and their physical relationship doesn't play a huge part in this book anyway. It was more disturbing to me that Charlie took on a role of something like a father to Joe, who had no earthly knowledge of much of anything, really, who wasn't born but created as a grown man and dropped on a stranger's front porch by his heavenly father, with only the knowledge of what was going to happen, but not the permission to really talk about it.

What this book had in droves was intimacy, and not the sexual kind. The scenes where Charlie is painting Joe at Joe's request, and where Charlie and Joe interact were heartbreakingly intimate in their description, and often the cause for my tears.

I'm rambling, I know. This book isn't for everyone - I know that too. For me, though, for me it was earth-shattering and profound and, in a small way, affirming that what I believe to be true.


** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **

[Mickie Ashling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this novel because I was intrigued by the blurb and beautiful artwork, but more importantly, it was written by John Inman, a recent Lambda nominee, and a prolific and imaginative writer. I was certain his version of the second coming of Christ would be an interesting and thoughtful read. I wasn’t mistaken. Raised in a Catholic country, and having attended Convent school for most of my formative years, I was engaged by John’s version of what might happen if God decided to pay us another visit—via his second son. Partly horrifying, but mostly inspiring, this story takes you on an introspective journey that leaves little doubt we’re dealing with a God who is good and fed up with humanity and our constant backsliding into evil. The modern-day setting makes the “clean up” very unsettling, but more relatable, in my opinion. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who’s interested in reading something unique, contemplative, and surprisingly uplifting.

[Serena Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title promises, this novel is one possible version of what might happen if the Christian messiah returned to Earth after his "first coming" and ascension to heaven a little over 2000 years ago. There are probably as many versions of what, and when, and if this “second coming” might happen as there are people on Earth, and I found the one John Inman describes in this book to be moving, credible, and peppered with enough references to what I have read and heard from various other sources, including the bible, to make it sound scarily believable. This story is an exploration of faith, human frailty, hope, and love that I found to be very powerful. He gives it a modern spin, and I loved that. It was much like delving into any new “world” developed by a writer and discovering the rules that govern it – only many of them are very well known to anyone with a Christian background.

Just to be clear - this novel is classified as “spiritual", and for good reason. So if you have difficulty with religion or faith, this book might not be for you. If you are a believer, this version of events might be uncomfortable, because it is the author’s view of the “second coming”, not one officially sanctioned by a religious organization. And much of it, including the fact that the second messiah, Joe, is gay, might make many Christians very uncomfortable. Just like Jesus - referred to as “the first son of God” - made his contemporaries uncomfortable by “consorting” with those considered “undesirable” by religious and other leaders 2000 years ago.

‘The Second Son’ may be based on a Christian view of life, but it is not one limited by a particular church’s ideas on how things should be. It is not necessary for anyone who reads this story to believe in anything specific – the novel can be read, understood, and enjoyed simply as one modern man’s experience when he encounters Joe, a man who says he is the second son of God. Charlie, a divorced bisexual painter, is not the man who expected to be the one “chosen” as the most important contact, but the reasons become obvious as the story develops. I can’t say much more without spoiling the journey, and I think this is one that needs to be experienced. Most likely, everyone who reads it will get something slightly different from it, and that is as it should be. The one thing that will stay with me for a long time to come is the deep love between Charlie and Joe – it is truly amazing.

If you’ve ever asked yourself how things might go down if Jesus ever returned to Earth to check up on us, reading this novel will give you one possible version. If you’ve wondered how God will deal with all the sinners, what happens here is a very definitive, if somewhat disquieting response. And if nothing else, it is an interesting thought experiment and made me think about humans, what we are doing to each other, and whether there is any hope for us at all.


NOTE: This book was provided by DSP Publications for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a mystical tale of judgement, love and grace. It was a bit puzzling in places, a bit slow in others but certainly interesting and once it got going very dramatic.

I would describe this story as religious fantasy. The author has taken core beliefs from the Christian story and explored what would happen if there were other Sons. What would happen if Jesus had brothers who appeared on earth in love but to initiate judgement?

And so we meet Joe who is one of these sons of love and judgement, and Joe knows what he is on earth to do but he falls in love with Charlie a reclusive artist. Unbeknownst to Charlie his art and paintings foretell the coming apocalyptic judgement but Charlie is caught up in this new love for the mystical being who has come into his life.

As drama, judgement and cleansing erupt across the world in a global drama we are drawn into the smaller drama of a new love which brushes against the need to fulfill a calling and vocation. Joe knows he has a task to do and then he must leave the earth but his love for Charlie leads him to want other things. In this small world can love and vocation be reconciled?

Meanwhile will the world ever recover from the judgement and cleansing that sweep across the globe? Charlie and Joe have a bigger role to play, one which is more than Charlie the recluse could ever have imagined.

This isn't your typical mm romance. It certainly isn't like anything I have read before. I initially had mixed feelings about it because it seemed a bit too slow but half way through it began to gather a good pace. I cant say that I found this entertaining. The story has a very serious tone but it was interesting and very imaginative. I could see how the author has taken Christian beliefs and used them in the story especially through the character of Joe and it is a creative and interesting story but not for anyone looking for a traditional gay romance.

Beautifully written though.

Copy provided by DSP via NetGalley

[Lisazj1]

My 3rd book ever, DNF @ 76%. And no rating since I didn't finish.

A reimagining of the original story, of how it might happen today if God decided to send another son. I have nothing against Christianity, being born and raised one myself. But I didn't like the way the original story turned out in the Bible, and I really didn't care to read it happening again. So once I got that nothing much was really going to be different here except that this time, there was no dying for everyone's sins, they died this time for their own sins. God was out of patience, and I couldn't really fault that at all, and the side story of Charlie, I had to bail.

The story isn't terrible and the writing is wonderful and thoughtful, and I definitely plan to check out more of John Inman's stories. This one just isn't for me.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. I am a huge fan of John Inman and I struggled with the rating as much as I struggled with the book at times. I honestly don't know how to review this book so I am going to point to Ulysses Dietz's Review which pretty much says what I want to say but can't find the words.

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, cleverly written. I am a gay Christian and found the subject matter very moving.

[Micky]

Not rated because I didn't read it all.
The writing is good. I just don't like
books that have anything to do with
religion. I'm really enjoying this author
though. Eager to read more of his.

[Manouchka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried my hardest but I really couldn't get into this book i actually stopped reading it halfway through. I normally like books by this artist that's why I chose to read this book but no matter how hard I tried I can't get into it

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Inman does not cease to amaze me at the broad range of genres his books cover. I'm not sure how this one can be characterised - allegory, pseudo-religious fantasy, romance with deep spiritual overtones. Whatever - it gripped my attention and keep me reading till the end.

[Kait]

Well, I finished it, but I won't rate it. I have read many of John Inman's books and really enjoyed them, and have even listed him as a favorite author. This book, however, may cause me to rethink that. I have two issues with this book, and the lesser one is that I don't understand the purpose of retelling the Christ story, especially with such a strict, old time religion perspective. However, my major issue is that this book is misogynistic as hell. Considering that the majority of his readers are almost certainly women, that pisses me off.

[Vickie]

DNF 32% - too religious-y, God/Jesus/Son of God for me. The reviews say it's an amazing book but I just can't get past the whole God/Son of God/world paying for it's sins aspect of it. ymmv.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have admired the work of John Inman from the moment I read the first story. This latest novel, The Second Son, is an inspiring story, one that will resonate greatly with some. It is not a traditional love story–after all one should remember it is from DSP Publications—an arm of Dreamspinner known for its eclectic work that often focuses on the plot, the storytelling rather than the romance. In this case, the one scene that was the act of lovemaking happened off the page and because of it’s singularity, almost seemed to become more a sweet yet torturous memory for both men than anything else.

I am unsure how to summarize this story without giving heaps of important plot points away. Suffice it to say a stranger arrives at Charlie’s door one day and changes him, irrevocably. Forever. Gone will be the drinking and the anger…forever eradicated will be his self-destructive ways and his self-centeredness. Replacing all this will be a love so pure and all encompassing that Charlie will never be the man he once was; in his place will be someone who experiences the love of his life, a life renewed and given purpose once more.

While this story was in parts horrifyingly graphic–the cleansing section in particular–and other parts almost spiritual, there was also a fair amount of repetitive passages that I felt slowed the story down, much to my dismay. While this could only be labeled a more cerebral and intensely thoughtful novel in terms of the way the characters often lived inside their own heads, rehashing their emotions and experiences, it could also be said that those same moments became a bit too similar. Often I found myself thinking that this situation or reaction had already been hashed out before. While some moments bore up under this constant scrutiny by the characters, others just became dulled by it, and the reading of it became monotonous.

When the more intense action kicked in, I was glued to the book. I must admit that I was less than thrilled with the ending, yet I know to keep the integrity of the story, no other resolution would have been possible. More importantly, the story left the reader with a real sense of hope, that good would always have it’s reward and evil would eventually have it’s comeuppance.

Despite the pacing problems, the bones of this particular novel are good, and John Inman is, undeniably, a great storyteller. I think that The Second Son will stand as one of his more introspective and thoughtful novels. While some may find it to be less than their cup of tea, the fact remains that at the end of the day, the love Joe has for Charlie and the world is beautiful and sweet–a saving grace for many.

Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...

[Vince Burr · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Inman has once again shown us the diversity in his magnificent writing. What a truly original and fascinating take on the second coming! Scarily apocalyptic and sad, yet uplifting and hopeful. The most thought-provoking of the author's works to date!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells the story of Jesus' brother who comes to Earth and basically has the same destiny as Jesus.

[Ahiku]

I'm not gonna rate this one, because I feel very uncomfortable rating a book about such a religious topic. The writing is magnificent, but I couldn't really get into the story because of the heavy topics. I also skipped some parts, since I didn't want to read it all but I wanted to get an overview about the story at least.