Got 'Til It's Gone

by Larry Duplechan

"With his gift for language, eye for detail and consistent tone of voice, Larry Duplechan has the makings to be a major literary figure." <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {""; "Times New Roman"; "Times New Roman";} @page Section1 { 11.0in; 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; } div.Section1 {} --> - Edge Publications
This is the first novel by Larry Duplechan in fifteen years, and the fourth to feature his alter ego protagonist Johnnie Ray Rousseau, a gay black man of Louisiana Creole stock. When we first met Johnnie Ray in the novel Blackbird , he was a gay teenager in love with the star of a high school play; now he’s forty-eight, still handsome and gym-built, but admittedly vain and looking down the short road to fifty. In the midst of a midlife crisis, he falls for a much younger man with some serious Daddy issues; throughout it all, Johnnie Ray tries to look at love (and his life) from both sides now (to borrow a phrase from his idol Joni Mitchell). Got ’Til It’s Gone is a queer romantic comedy for the ages. Larry Duplechan is the author of four previous novels, including Blackbird , published in a new edition by Arsenal Pulp Press in 2006. He is a deacon at the Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley in North Hollywood, California.

Genres: LGBT, African American, Gay Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Darius Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I've read all the way through in one sitting since I read The Firm at fourteen. The book hits some bumps in the road, but the fact that I couldn't put it down says a lot. And I love how Duplechan uses classic Hollywood films and black (and some white) popular music (from the 30s up until the present) as both a subtle framing device but also as a way to characterize the way our protagonist, Johnnie Ray Rousseau, sees the world. Totally dug it.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Johnny Ray Rousseau series which finds him negotiating through life as an older man (age 48!) and dealing with family and romance problems.. This book started a bit slowly but picked up speed in the second portion. Duplechan recycled a lot of characters from his earlier books and that was a pleasure to see. I wish he'd write another book. I'm going to miss Johnny Ray and his singing...

[Arsenal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nominated for a 2008 Lambda Literary Award, Gay Romance. The winners will be announced at a gala on May 28 in New York.

[Bruh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was delivered today....will likely start reading
it tonight.

[Ray Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this book for its forthright narrative on love and loss. Refeshing to have a POC gay main character with such a clear voice.