A Boy Named Phyllis: A Suburban Memoir

by Frank DeCaro

A memoir of gay coming of age offers the amusing and touching tale of one man's memories of growing up as a gay child in suburban Little Falls, New Jersey. Reprint.

Genres: Memoir, LGBT, Humor, Biography, Queer, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

Reviews

[Ziggi Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from one prejudicial term I didn’t enjoy hearing, this memoir surprised me. I give it 4 stars for being well written, but can agree with a lot of the lowball reviews that point out that there isn’t much of a story here. I happened upon this as an audible plus catalog inclusion, so I spent no extra $$ on it, and happen to have a lot in common with the author in the way of weight issues and shame repression, so it was cool to find an account of someone I share commonality with who made a career shame-free (or despite the pressure to feel shame from around him) and had a decent life… but unless you happen to share in compatible life-experience to some of the specifics of Frank/Phyllis, there is nothing resolved or accomplished here other than a memoir/summary of the life experience of some gay guy. It was nice, and I enjoyed it, but wouldn’t place it in a hierarchy of “must-reads.”

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute little memoir about a young gay male growing up in suburban New Jersey. DeCaro has a way with words. The book is similar to the story of another young gay Italian male, Mambo Italiano and it reads like it could be a script.

[Andrew Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this may be funnier if you've lived in or near NJ...it is still bound to be hilarious. The tale of growing up gay in NJ.

I recommend this to all gay men, especially those with strong female influences.

[Isaiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.

I picked this book up at a queer resource center in Berkeley when they were clearing out their bookshelves. I thought it was going to be able a trans person, but instead it was about a gay boy growing up.

Overall this book was boring. It had whole chapters devoted to really inane things like taking family drives. I feel awful saying someone who is putting their life out there for all of us to read is boring or annoying, but this was boring and annoying. I had to force myself to read it and had to keep myself from falling asleep when I did manage to pick the book up again.

The book was not badly written, but it was more of a book that is good for writing than the plot, which I can’t stand. I am more of a plot person than a writing person. This book had little to no plot. There was nothing to keep me interested except my being stubborn about finishing a book.

[Douglas Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Frank really articulates what it was like to grow up a small town gay in the 70's!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a Frank D fan from Sirrus XM days so I was excited to listen to this.
I loved it.
Frank can tell a story like no other.
Thanks for sharing your life story with the world.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this is one of those books that I wasn't really interested in to begin with, and then the story got more interesting and meatier.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and easy read. Frank DeCaro's experience wasn't all fun and easy, but his retelling sure is. I especially enjoyed the evolution of the relationship/dynamic with his family.

[Tree · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I did not find the story at all compelling, and finally turned it off after numerous fat jokes and realizing I was barely paying attention. Low hanging fruit just isn't for me.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could give half/quarter stars. This was better than a 3, but not a solid 4.

[Ada Veen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book because I love the FDS on Sirius. I should point out that I am a straight female from Louisiana, if only to illustrate that this book is a great read for anyone. Well, anyone with a sense of humor. I suppose Frank and I are from two different worlds, but there is a universal theme in his memoir that everyone can relate to --- isolation. Whether it's from your peers or geographical location, we all have felt uncomfortable in our own skin at some point in our lives (here's looking at you, adolescence). So, if you want to read a humorous little book about the underdog finding himself in a world where he's told he should just "fit in," this is the book for you.

[Cyanemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5. I listen to Frank Decaro on Sirius and really enjoy his show. The thing is his parents loved him and that is a big plus. There was a time in history when people felt it was okay to trash their father for being distant etc. Frank D does this in the book but never once mentions how his father supported him, his mother and his grandmother. School was rough for the different back then and the author does a good job on retelling the hard times and his first love and his friendships. There were sections of it that possibly only someone from New Jersey would understand.

[Benjamin Revier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with nostalgic references of 1960's & 70's pop culture, this is an easy anecdotal romp through one young homosexual's formidable years in suburban New Jersey. Refreshingly not posing any sort of agenda, DeCaro simply writes of his experiences throughout childhood and adolescence, embracing the levity of each life experience (difficult as it may be at times). All in all, a very easy, comically conversational read.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this for class, so it is annoying. First time in a while I am reading something because someone else told me to! But it is good for teaching the use of character description to move a narrative. Also, the use of humor to help the reader get through the dark stuff.

[Avis Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply hysterical. DeCaro has no shame about letting you know about his Bobby Sherman crush, and other embarrassing delights. Recommended.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So touching and heartwarming. His family descriptions are incredible. I want to be buds with this guy.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, poignant, and quick read. He's much older than I am, but we went to the same high school. Very talented writer.

[Denise]

What a funny guy. Love him.

[Mrs. L · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book and I thought the way the author described things was very good, I still found it a bit disjointed.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The memoir was amusing. I loved DeCaro on the Daily Show.

[Catie Lynch-App · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[AJ Belongia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being about the same age, there is much I could identify with in his story. Nice to know you are not alone, even if you don't find out until much, much later.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing is funnier than a gay boy in New Jersey.