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A Question of Manhood
November 1972. The Vietnam War is rumored to be drawing to a close, and for sixteen-year-old Paul Landon, the end can't come soon enough. The end will mean his older brother Chris, the family's golden child, returning home from the Army for good. But while home on leave, Chris entrusts Paul with a secret: He's gay. And when Chris is killed in action, Paul is beset by grief and guilt, haunted by knowledge he can't share.
That summer, Paul is forced to work at his family's pet supply store. Worse, he must train a new employee, JJ O'Neil, a gay college freshman. But though Paul initially dislikes JJ for being everything he's not--self-confident, capable, ambitious--he finds himself learning from him. Not just about how to handle the anxious, aggressive dogs JJ so effortlessly calms and trains, but how to stand up for himself--even when it means standing against his father, his friends, and his own fears. Through JJ, Paul finally begins to glimpse who his brother really was--and a way toward becoming the man he wants to be. . .
Praise for the novels of Robin Reardon:
"Stirring. . .thoughtful and convincing." --"Publishers Weekly" on "Thinking Straight"
"A compelling story well worth your time. . .Reardon is an author to watch." --Bart Yates, author of "The Brothers Bishop" on "A Secret Edge"
That summer, Paul is forced to work at his family's pet supply store. Worse, he must train a new employee, JJ O'Neil, a gay college freshman. But though Paul initially dislikes JJ for being everything he's not--self-confident, capable, ambitious--he finds himself learning from him. Not just about how to handle the anxious, aggressive dogs JJ so effortlessly calms and trains, but how to stand up for himself--even when it means standing against his father, his friends, and his own fears. Through JJ, Paul finally begins to glimpse who his brother really was--and a way toward becoming the man he wants to be. . .
Praise for the novels of Robin Reardon:
"Stirring. . .thoughtful and convincing." --"Publishers Weekly" on "Thinking Straight"
"A compelling story well worth your time. . .Reardon is an author to watch." --Bart Yates, author of "The Brothers Bishop" on "A Secret Edge"
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2006
8 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Robin Reardon
23 books180 followersI'm an inveterate observer of human nature, and my primary writing goal is to create stories about all kinds of people, some of whom happen to be gay or transgender—people whose destinies are not determined solely by their sexual orientation or identity. My secondary writing goal is to introduce readers to concepts or information they might not know very much about. On my website, robinreardon.com, see individual book pages for “Digging Deeper” sections that link to background information and research done for the novel.
My motto is this: The only thing wrong with being gay is how some people treat you when they find out.
Interests outside of writing include singing, nature photography, and the study of comparative religions. I write in a butter yellow study with a view of the Boston, Massachusetts skyline.
My motto is this: The only thing wrong with being gay is how some people treat you when they find out.
Interests outside of writing include singing, nature photography, and the study of comparative religions. I write in a butter yellow study with a view of the Boston, Massachusetts skyline.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 7, 2013
**This was an Advance Reader's Copy provided by Library Thing**
This is a tough one, but I'm going to go with 2 1/2 stars. It's tough because I admire any young adult author who is willing to tackle the issue of homosexuality in a way that teaches the need for acceptance and understanding, but doesn't do so in a way that fails to acknowledge the powerful social stigmas and gender stereotypes that still hold sway over pre-teens and teens grappling with what it means to be gay. However, in terms of plot and timeliness, the novel just didn't deliver for me.
The novel is set in 1972 and Paul Landon's brother, Chris, is serving in Vietnam. The novel opens as Chris, the family's golden child who voluntarily enlisted to serve, is home on leave before the Thanksgiving holiday. (In the interest of full disclosure, let me state that much of my disappointment stems from the fact that I thought this novel was going to have a lot more to do with the Vietnam War and with the experience of a gay soldier. If it hadn't been for the Vietnam reference, I would have never picked up the book.) Chris is there long enough to basically set up the time period: he tells some war stories, he throws around some Vietnam military jargon, and brings his brother a pair of Ho Chi Minh sandals. These obligatory Vietnam narrative motifs are basically all we get in the way of setting; if it hadn't been for this early scene, the rest of the book could have just as well taken place in the present day. The night before he leaves, Chris finds out that his boyfriend, Mason, was killed in Vietnam. Paul hears Chris crying in the room next door and when he goes to check on his brother, Chris reveals that he's gay, makes him promise not to tell mom and dad, and tells him that he's going back to Vietnam to die because he has nothing to live for. A few pages later, the family learns that Chris died a hero's death shortly after returning to Vietnam. Talk about a wham, bam, thank you m'am set up. It's not subtle and a bit too contrived for my tastes.
This moves us into the part of the novel with which I was impressed. The aftermath of Chris's death is handled well and with attention to emotional truth. Paul's mother walks around in a catatonic state, his father responds with stoic bravado and advises Paul to be a man and be strong for his mother, and Paul doesn't know what the hell that means. As if the transition between child and adult isn't hard enough, Paul's coming of age is compounded by the burden of carrying his brother's secret, being denied his own guilt and right to grieve by his father, and wanting to break away from Chris's shadow as it's impossible to live up to a brother who was idolized in life and is now revered in death. Paul also grapples with his own questions about homosexuality: can it be cured? does one "choose" to be gay? is it a sin? if not, why is it illegal? what exactly does being gay with another man mean? It's easy for adults to brush these aside as stupid questions, but they only remain stupid and a breeding ground for prejudice if they aren't answered, and I'm guessing in the 1970's there weren't many open and honest answers that a suburban teenager could expect. In typical teenage fashion, Paul internally deals with all of this and makes some poor choices along the way and, in typical parent-of-a-teenager fashion, his father always misinterprets Paul's intent and motivation.
As punishment for his sins (little Paul visited a prostitute and got caught. Stupid Paul. First rule of visiting a prostitute when you're a teenager: don't get caught because you sure as shit don't want your mom to know about that), Paul loses all privileges and is forced to work in his dad's pet shop with J.J., a college student working there for the summer and--guess what?--J.J. is gay. Now Paul has the opportunity to work through the anger and the disgust he feels toward his brother, as well as his grief, since J.J. can be a stand-in substitute for Chris and guide Paul through the labyrinthine questions, prejudices, and stereotypes he has built up in his mind. And it's the pet shop section where the novel lost it for me again. You see, J.J. is the 1970's answer to the Dog Whisperer. He trains dogs who have been abused or neglected by their owners. And apparently every dog in the tri-state area has an issue because this part of the novel lapses into J.J. working his canine magic on dog, after dog, after dog, after dog. Believe it or not, this gets old after a while. By the time he made his 57th speech on dogs being pack animals, establishing his presence as an Alpha male in the dog's eyes, and hitching some sort of little chain around the dog's head, I was ready to hang myself with a leash. And I get what Reardon was trying to do here; J.J.'s amazing calm and ability with dogs comes from learning how to deal with prejudice and bullies. I just think we could have gotten that message after 3 dog training sessions and shortened this sucker up by about 50 pages.
So, here's my beef with the novel: this is clearly a didactic novel for teens, so why is this set during the 1970's against the backdrop of Vietnam? This is Vietnam-Lite and I know Reardon didn't necessarily mean this to be a Vietnam novel, but it seems to date and undermine the novel's message. It's a bit like reading Uncle Tom's Cabin; it's relevant for a particular time and place, but the message that slavery is wrong isn't one I particularly need to hear as I knew that to be a truth before reading the novel. Living in the rural South, I know there are still some vehemently held prejudices out there. However, I don't know that reading a novel about a brother grappling with his brother's sexuality in the 1970's is particularly relevant to a contemporary teenager. I think this could have been more powerful and timelier if Paul had lost a brother to the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, allowing for more of a contemporary connection with the character. However, I respect and admire Reardon's message and handling of the subject matter in a way that acknowledges the complexity of the issues involved.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder
This is a tough one, but I'm going to go with 2 1/2 stars. It's tough because I admire any young adult author who is willing to tackle the issue of homosexuality in a way that teaches the need for acceptance and understanding, but doesn't do so in a way that fails to acknowledge the powerful social stigmas and gender stereotypes that still hold sway over pre-teens and teens grappling with what it means to be gay. However, in terms of plot and timeliness, the novel just didn't deliver for me.
The novel is set in 1972 and Paul Landon's brother, Chris, is serving in Vietnam. The novel opens as Chris, the family's golden child who voluntarily enlisted to serve, is home on leave before the Thanksgiving holiday. (In the interest of full disclosure, let me state that much of my disappointment stems from the fact that I thought this novel was going to have a lot more to do with the Vietnam War and with the experience of a gay soldier. If it hadn't been for the Vietnam reference, I would have never picked up the book.) Chris is there long enough to basically set up the time period: he tells some war stories, he throws around some Vietnam military jargon, and brings his brother a pair of Ho Chi Minh sandals. These obligatory Vietnam narrative motifs are basically all we get in the way of setting; if it hadn't been for this early scene, the rest of the book could have just as well taken place in the present day. The night before he leaves, Chris finds out that his boyfriend, Mason, was killed in Vietnam. Paul hears Chris crying in the room next door and when he goes to check on his brother, Chris reveals that he's gay, makes him promise not to tell mom and dad, and tells him that he's going back to Vietnam to die because he has nothing to live for. A few pages later, the family learns that Chris died a hero's death shortly after returning to Vietnam. Talk about a wham, bam, thank you m'am set up. It's not subtle and a bit too contrived for my tastes.
This moves us into the part of the novel with which I was impressed. The aftermath of Chris's death is handled well and with attention to emotional truth. Paul's mother walks around in a catatonic state, his father responds with stoic bravado and advises Paul to be a man and be strong for his mother, and Paul doesn't know what the hell that means. As if the transition between child and adult isn't hard enough, Paul's coming of age is compounded by the burden of carrying his brother's secret, being denied his own guilt and right to grieve by his father, and wanting to break away from Chris's shadow as it's impossible to live up to a brother who was idolized in life and is now revered in death. Paul also grapples with his own questions about homosexuality: can it be cured? does one "choose" to be gay? is it a sin? if not, why is it illegal? what exactly does being gay with another man mean? It's easy for adults to brush these aside as stupid questions, but they only remain stupid and a breeding ground for prejudice if they aren't answered, and I'm guessing in the 1970's there weren't many open and honest answers that a suburban teenager could expect. In typical teenage fashion, Paul internally deals with all of this and makes some poor choices along the way and, in typical parent-of-a-teenager fashion, his father always misinterprets Paul's intent and motivation.
As punishment for his sins (little Paul visited a prostitute and got caught. Stupid Paul. First rule of visiting a prostitute when you're a teenager: don't get caught because you sure as shit don't want your mom to know about that), Paul loses all privileges and is forced to work in his dad's pet shop with J.J., a college student working there for the summer and--guess what?--J.J. is gay. Now Paul has the opportunity to work through the anger and the disgust he feels toward his brother, as well as his grief, since J.J. can be a stand-in substitute for Chris and guide Paul through the labyrinthine questions, prejudices, and stereotypes he has built up in his mind. And it's the pet shop section where the novel lost it for me again. You see, J.J. is the 1970's answer to the Dog Whisperer. He trains dogs who have been abused or neglected by their owners. And apparently every dog in the tri-state area has an issue because this part of the novel lapses into J.J. working his canine magic on dog, after dog, after dog, after dog. Believe it or not, this gets old after a while. By the time he made his 57th speech on dogs being pack animals, establishing his presence as an Alpha male in the dog's eyes, and hitching some sort of little chain around the dog's head, I was ready to hang myself with a leash. And I get what Reardon was trying to do here; J.J.'s amazing calm and ability with dogs comes from learning how to deal with prejudice and bullies. I just think we could have gotten that message after 3 dog training sessions and shortened this sucker up by about 50 pages.
So, here's my beef with the novel: this is clearly a didactic novel for teens, so why is this set during the 1970's against the backdrop of Vietnam? This is Vietnam-Lite and I know Reardon didn't necessarily mean this to be a Vietnam novel, but it seems to date and undermine the novel's message. It's a bit like reading Uncle Tom's Cabin; it's relevant for a particular time and place, but the message that slavery is wrong isn't one I particularly need to hear as I knew that to be a truth before reading the novel. Living in the rural South, I know there are still some vehemently held prejudices out there. However, I don't know that reading a novel about a brother grappling with his brother's sexuality in the 1970's is particularly relevant to a contemporary teenager. I think this could have been more powerful and timelier if Paul had lost a brother to the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, allowing for more of a contemporary connection with the character. However, I respect and admire Reardon's message and handling of the subject matter in a way that acknowledges the complexity of the issues involved.
Cross posted at This Insignificant Cinder
September 18, 2010
Paul Landon is sixteen years old, and he feels he lives in his older brother’s shadow. Chris is the hero of the family, an enlisted soldier in the Vietnam War, and both of Paul’s parents idolize their eldest son. At times Paul feels jealous of Chris, but he cannot deny that there is a lot about Chris that is worthy of admiration. During Paul’s childhood and adolescence, his brother was a mentor to him. Paul hopes that one day he will become even half the man that his brother already is. When Chris comes home on leave during the Thanksgiving holiday, Paul feels guilty for having been jealous of his altruistic brother.
It is on the last day of Chris’ leave, that Paul discovers something about his sibling which takes the wind out of his sail. Chris reveals a truth about himself, perhaps his deepest and darkest secret. He is homosexual. Suddenly Paul is beset with a myriad of confusing feelings. He’s not only astonished by this revelation, but also rather disgusted. Having previously regarded his brother as a fearless hero who personified strength and integrity, he suddenly views Chris as being weak and cowardice.
The entire Landon family is devastated a few weeks later when they receive the news that Chris has been killed in action. Paul is not only grief-stricken, but also laden with guilt. His very last conversation with Chris had been one in which Chris reached out to him and bared his soul, but Paul had rejected him. Now Paul is burdened with the responsibility of carrying his brother’s secret. He knows he can never tell his parents. He can never let anyone find out that his heroic brother—the same person who died for his country—was actually a fag.
A few months later, Paul meets another homosexual. JJ is the new employee at Mr. Landon’s pet store, and Paul is given the responsibility of training him. It soon becomes apparent to Paul that JJ is gay, and it also becomes clear that this quiet, unassuming young man possesses an amazing talent. He is skilled at dog handling. In fact he is an expert canine behavioralist. Within a matter of days, JJ impresses Paul’s father with his talent, and JJ is asked to provide consultation services to customers who have training issues with their dogs.
During the weeks that Paul and JJ work together, Paul finds himself reliving many of the feelings he had about his brother. He also begins to question the stereotypes and assumptions he has harbored within himself, and ultimately he confronts JJ. He confides in his coworker that his brother was gay, but his parents do not know. JJ begins to teach Paul some very important lessons, not just about dog training, but also about sexual orientation, manhood, and integrity.
Having read both of Reardon’s previously released novels, I found this read to be a bit of a departure for her. Although the storyline is unquestionably gay-interest, the theme is strikingly dissimilar. This book did not contain the religious overtones which were thematic in her first two novels. It also was told in the voice of a heterosexual protagonist.
Much more realistic dialogue was used, incorporating slang and profanity appropriately. Some of the conversations were rather wordy. It just seemed that at times the characters launched into lectures which would not be typical during normal conversation. They seemed to be dissertations, and I think that in normal conversation, there are more interruptions. Most people are not prepared to launch into a diatribe, and especially not with perfect grammar.
The central character, Paul, was a sympathetic protagonist. In light of the setting (early 1970s), I could understand the confusion and anxiety that he endured. I question the relevance of this type of story in the contemporary market, however. It reminds me of the sort of person who feels the need to inform their gay acquaintances that they have “no problem with homosexuals.” Why bother to even mention it in the first place? Your brother is gay—whoopty do! The mere suggestion that gay people are weak, sissified, or immoral by nature is patently offensive to me. I thought that we were beyond these attitudes ages ago. It seemed that this book would have been an essential read two or three decades ago. Perhaps if I were to be able to view it strictly as a historical piece, the message would resonate. It felt to me, however, that the author was trying to convince her audience that being gay was okay. It’s possible to be a manly man and to be gay at the same time. Well I got that message decades ago, and I thought that the rest of the world pretty much had as well.
The gripping emotional element of the story was profound. In fact, I regard this particular characteristic to be the book’s redemption. I wept as I read the family’s reaction to Chris’ death. A bullying scene which occurred early in the story was extremely disturbing, and this also moved me emotionally. The portrayal of JJ’s sensitivity as he cried with one of his customers while grieving the loss of her beloved pet, was a scene of significant impact. To me, these literary slices were masterful, and they are the scenes which will remain with me for some time to come.
The most disturbing element of the story was the portrayal of the central character’s father, Andy Landon. At the beginning of the book, I was trying not to hate him, or perhaps to at least not dislike him so much. Just prior to the conclusion of the story, there was a revelation scene in which an element of Andy’s character was exposed. I think that the intention of this “big reveal” was to help the reader understand this annoying character. Instead it made me cringe. Honestly, I wanted to reach right into the pages of that book and slap some sense into him. He’d lost one son already, so why hadn’t he learned something? He should have cherished his remaining son rather than demonizing him.
The pathway to inclusion can be represented as a continuum which begins with bigotry and ends with full inclusion. The next step away from bigotry is tolerance, then acceptance. The ultimate goal is inclusion. This story seemed to be arguing the case for tolerance. To me, this is not enough. Gay people should not merely be tolerated. Straight people have no right to be proud of themselves for putting up with homosexuals. I felt the message of the story was truthful and perhaps even important, but it just was not timely. If we could get the book into the hands of the few remaining closed-minded bigots who still occasionally spout off these days, then perhaps it would effectively cause them to rethink their intolerant attitudes. I think, though, that if they haven’t done so at this point, they probably never will, and they probably would reject a book like this outright.
I am still a huge fan of Robin Reardon, although I must admit that this was not my favorite of her books. The writing itself is superb, but it is the story’s message that to me is lacking. Perhaps it is merely that I did not relate, and other readers may find it far more significant.
It is on the last day of Chris’ leave, that Paul discovers something about his sibling which takes the wind out of his sail. Chris reveals a truth about himself, perhaps his deepest and darkest secret. He is homosexual. Suddenly Paul is beset with a myriad of confusing feelings. He’s not only astonished by this revelation, but also rather disgusted. Having previously regarded his brother as a fearless hero who personified strength and integrity, he suddenly views Chris as being weak and cowardice.
The entire Landon family is devastated a few weeks later when they receive the news that Chris has been killed in action. Paul is not only grief-stricken, but also laden with guilt. His very last conversation with Chris had been one in which Chris reached out to him and bared his soul, but Paul had rejected him. Now Paul is burdened with the responsibility of carrying his brother’s secret. He knows he can never tell his parents. He can never let anyone find out that his heroic brother—the same person who died for his country—was actually a fag.
A few months later, Paul meets another homosexual. JJ is the new employee at Mr. Landon’s pet store, and Paul is given the responsibility of training him. It soon becomes apparent to Paul that JJ is gay, and it also becomes clear that this quiet, unassuming young man possesses an amazing talent. He is skilled at dog handling. In fact he is an expert canine behavioralist. Within a matter of days, JJ impresses Paul’s father with his talent, and JJ is asked to provide consultation services to customers who have training issues with their dogs.
During the weeks that Paul and JJ work together, Paul finds himself reliving many of the feelings he had about his brother. He also begins to question the stereotypes and assumptions he has harbored within himself, and ultimately he confronts JJ. He confides in his coworker that his brother was gay, but his parents do not know. JJ begins to teach Paul some very important lessons, not just about dog training, but also about sexual orientation, manhood, and integrity.
Having read both of Reardon’s previously released novels, I found this read to be a bit of a departure for her. Although the storyline is unquestionably gay-interest, the theme is strikingly dissimilar. This book did not contain the religious overtones which were thematic in her first two novels. It also was told in the voice of a heterosexual protagonist.
Much more realistic dialogue was used, incorporating slang and profanity appropriately. Some of the conversations were rather wordy. It just seemed that at times the characters launched into lectures which would not be typical during normal conversation. They seemed to be dissertations, and I think that in normal conversation, there are more interruptions. Most people are not prepared to launch into a diatribe, and especially not with perfect grammar.
The central character, Paul, was a sympathetic protagonist. In light of the setting (early 1970s), I could understand the confusion and anxiety that he endured. I question the relevance of this type of story in the contemporary market, however. It reminds me of the sort of person who feels the need to inform their gay acquaintances that they have “no problem with homosexuals.” Why bother to even mention it in the first place? Your brother is gay—whoopty do! The mere suggestion that gay people are weak, sissified, or immoral by nature is patently offensive to me. I thought that we were beyond these attitudes ages ago. It seemed that this book would have been an essential read two or three decades ago. Perhaps if I were to be able to view it strictly as a historical piece, the message would resonate. It felt to me, however, that the author was trying to convince her audience that being gay was okay. It’s possible to be a manly man and to be gay at the same time. Well I got that message decades ago, and I thought that the rest of the world pretty much had as well.
The gripping emotional element of the story was profound. In fact, I regard this particular characteristic to be the book’s redemption. I wept as I read the family’s reaction to Chris’ death. A bullying scene which occurred early in the story was extremely disturbing, and this also moved me emotionally. The portrayal of JJ’s sensitivity as he cried with one of his customers while grieving the loss of her beloved pet, was a scene of significant impact. To me, these literary slices were masterful, and they are the scenes which will remain with me for some time to come.
The most disturbing element of the story was the portrayal of the central character’s father, Andy Landon. At the beginning of the book, I was trying not to hate him, or perhaps to at least not dislike him so much. Just prior to the conclusion of the story, there was a revelation scene in which an element of Andy’s character was exposed. I think that the intention of this “big reveal” was to help the reader understand this annoying character. Instead it made me cringe. Honestly, I wanted to reach right into the pages of that book and slap some sense into him. He’d lost one son already, so why hadn’t he learned something? He should have cherished his remaining son rather than demonizing him.
The pathway to inclusion can be represented as a continuum which begins with bigotry and ends with full inclusion. The next step away from bigotry is tolerance, then acceptance. The ultimate goal is inclusion. This story seemed to be arguing the case for tolerance. To me, this is not enough. Gay people should not merely be tolerated. Straight people have no right to be proud of themselves for putting up with homosexuals. I felt the message of the story was truthful and perhaps even important, but it just was not timely. If we could get the book into the hands of the few remaining closed-minded bigots who still occasionally spout off these days, then perhaps it would effectively cause them to rethink their intolerant attitudes. I think, though, that if they haven’t done so at this point, they probably never will, and they probably would reject a book like this outright.
I am still a huge fan of Robin Reardon, although I must admit that this was not my favorite of her books. The writing itself is superb, but it is the story’s message that to me is lacking. Perhaps it is merely that I did not relate, and other readers may find it far more significant.
January 7, 2022
2 Aug. I have just read Chapter 2 during my reading time at school. I will have to work very hard on interaction with other humans for the rest of the day - it is very, very upsetting, mainly because I have started caring about the characters. And the Vietnam War is the historical timeframe of the book, and as I have delved into Viet Thanh Nguyen's The sympathizer and his other titles earlier this year, the horror is still with me. Of course, now I want to stop everything else and find out where Robin Reardon's novel is going from here!
4 Aug. Just finished. It has been a while since a book has yanked me out of myself ánd into myself simultaneously as this one. I almost don't think I will be able to reread this title by Robin Reardon: it just pushes too many buttons. Yet I look forward to spending some time with these characters somewhere in future, when I'm a tad braver than now. The brotherly relationship between Vietnam soldier Chris and narrator Paul is fascinating, and the character of JJ is unusual and engrossing because of his way of dealing with dogs. A devastatingly powerful novel. I admire Reardon's ability to renew herself as author from book to book, but I hazard the guess that she has never been braver than when she was writing this, and she hasn't needed to be since. I will read the novels following this one with an even keener eye.
In haar strewe tot vernuwing werk Reardon hier vir die eerste keer met 'n straight verteller, wat sy broer se gay-wees moet verwerk. Die tydperk van die Viëtnam-oorlog plaas die gebeure in 'n ander tydsgees. Sy weef 'n kenmerkend komplekse gesinsituasie, maar die intensiteit verg veel meer dapperheid van haar as skrywer as wat ek nog gelees het, en die gevolg is dat sy die sterkste en mees ontstellende verhaal lewer wat ek nog van haar gelees het. Ek twyfel selfs of ek dapper genoeg sal wees om dit binnekort te herlees. En tog is haar karakters só boeiend, veral die hondebemeesterende JJ, dat ek eintlik daarna uitsien om in die toekoms weer tyd saam met dié mense deur te bring, selfs al ken ek nou hulle geheime.
4 Aug. Just finished. It has been a while since a book has yanked me out of myself ánd into myself simultaneously as this one. I almost don't think I will be able to reread this title by Robin Reardon: it just pushes too many buttons. Yet I look forward to spending some time with these characters somewhere in future, when I'm a tad braver than now. The brotherly relationship between Vietnam soldier Chris and narrator Paul is fascinating, and the character of JJ is unusual and engrossing because of his way of dealing with dogs. A devastatingly powerful novel. I admire Reardon's ability to renew herself as author from book to book, but I hazard the guess that she has never been braver than when she was writing this, and she hasn't needed to be since. I will read the novels following this one with an even keener eye.
In haar strewe tot vernuwing werk Reardon hier vir die eerste keer met 'n straight verteller, wat sy broer se gay-wees moet verwerk. Die tydperk van die Viëtnam-oorlog plaas die gebeure in 'n ander tydsgees. Sy weef 'n kenmerkend komplekse gesinsituasie, maar die intensiteit verg veel meer dapperheid van haar as skrywer as wat ek nog gelees het, en die gevolg is dat sy die sterkste en mees ontstellende verhaal lewer wat ek nog van haar gelees het. Ek twyfel selfs of ek dapper genoeg sal wees om dit binnekort te herlees. En tog is haar karakters só boeiend, veral die hondebemeesterende JJ, dat ek eintlik daarna uitsien om in die toekoms weer tyd saam met dié mense deur te bring, selfs al ken ek nou hulle geheime.
September 23, 2010
This is a book I wrote, so of course I gave it five starts. Otherwise, why bother to get it published? And here's how I describe it...
Chris is the favorite son. There’s no doubt in the mind of sixteen-year-old Paul Landon about that. Paul would resent it, except that he idolizes his wise, brave older brother. The problems begin the night before Chris returns to Vietnam after a brief leave at home in November of 1972. On that last night, he confesses two things to Paul that threaten everything Paul believes in: Chris is frightened; and Chris is gay.
The promise Chris extracts not to reveal either of these secrets to their parents weighs heavily on Paul, and the burden increases with the news of Chris’ death. Paul changes from a kid who’s no angel but not bad to a kid whose parents fear the worst. Then, in the summer of 1973, while working in his father’s pet supply store, Paul meets JJ O’Neil.
JJ’s mother is Mexican and his father is Irish. He’s one year older than Paul and many years wiser. He knows how to take the burden of obsession from customers’ panicky dogs and make them calm. He becomes the new apple of Paul’s grieving father’s eye. And he’s gay.
Like a dog who panics because it can’t figure out how to control the toaster or the telephone, Paul has begun to obsess about things he can’t control—things he feels expected to understand but doesn’t. And he obsesses on JJ. As much as he resents JJ, he becomes convinced that JJ knows the secret to happiness, or at least to self-contentment. But if JJ knows, he’s not telling.
Just before school begins again, as a result of a prank by some of Paul’s less savory friends, he and JJ face a crisis together—a crisis neither can escape unharmed without the courage and support of the other.
Chris is the favorite son. There’s no doubt in the mind of sixteen-year-old Paul Landon about that. Paul would resent it, except that he idolizes his wise, brave older brother. The problems begin the night before Chris returns to Vietnam after a brief leave at home in November of 1972. On that last night, he confesses two things to Paul that threaten everything Paul believes in: Chris is frightened; and Chris is gay.
The promise Chris extracts not to reveal either of these secrets to their parents weighs heavily on Paul, and the burden increases with the news of Chris’ death. Paul changes from a kid who’s no angel but not bad to a kid whose parents fear the worst. Then, in the summer of 1973, while working in his father’s pet supply store, Paul meets JJ O’Neil.
JJ’s mother is Mexican and his father is Irish. He’s one year older than Paul and many years wiser. He knows how to take the burden of obsession from customers’ panicky dogs and make them calm. He becomes the new apple of Paul’s grieving father’s eye. And he’s gay.
Like a dog who panics because it can’t figure out how to control the toaster or the telephone, Paul has begun to obsess about things he can’t control—things he feels expected to understand but doesn’t. And he obsesses on JJ. As much as he resents JJ, he becomes convinced that JJ knows the secret to happiness, or at least to self-contentment. But if JJ knows, he’s not telling.
Just before school begins again, as a result of a prank by some of Paul’s less savory friends, he and JJ face a crisis together—a crisis neither can escape unharmed without the courage and support of the other.
March 10, 2011
Paul has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Chris. When Chris is killed in action in Vietnam, Paul is left with the horrible secret Chris told him when he was last at home: Chris is gay. Unable to tell his parents, and ashamed that the brother he looked up to isn’t what he thought, Paul starts hanging with the wrong crowd and eventually gets in enough trouble to be banished to working in his father’s pet supply store for the summer. That’s where he meets J.J., who’s smart, confident and better than Paul at pretty much everything -- including gaining Paul’s father’s favor. Oh, and J.J.’s openly gay.
This was hit or miss for me. What I liked – I liked the POV of the straight brother. That was a take I don’t see very often. And the first part -- before J.J. arrives in all his Henry Stu glory -- was good. Just the right amount of sad and dysfunctional that I like.
What didn’t work for me? It didn’t feel like the 1970s to me. It could have just as easily been set during present day and Iraq/Afghanistan. Actually, I think I might have liked it more if it had. What else didn’t work? There was a lot of lecturing and exposition through dialogue. Ugh. And, last, but certainly not least, J.J. was so annoyingly ridiculously perfect in every way. Come on.
This was hit or miss for me. What I liked – I liked the POV of the straight brother. That was a take I don’t see very often. And the first part -- before J.J. arrives in all his Henry Stu glory -- was good. Just the right amount of sad and dysfunctional that I like.
What didn’t work for me? It didn’t feel like the 1970s to me. It could have just as easily been set during present day and Iraq/Afghanistan. Actually, I think I might have liked it more if it had. What else didn’t work? There was a lot of lecturing and exposition through dialogue. Ugh. And, last, but certainly not least, J.J. was so annoyingly ridiculously perfect in every way. Come on.
August 7, 2012
This book brings you into the time period wonderfully without being kitschy. The main characters are engaging, and JJ, the dog whisperer is such a good vantage point for Paul to bounce his thoughts off of when thinking about his own brother and what his fate means. It was heartfelt and interesting. Maybe one of the best gay YA novels, and that means a lot since the main character isn't gay. Its about coming to terms with many facets of life at an early impressionable age, and steps clear of all the usual traps. What you're left with is a wonderful story.
June 27, 2023
A Question of Manhood is a coming-of-age novel about Paul Landon, a teenager who comes into terms with homosexuality in the 1970s. All his life, Paul looks up in admiration of his older brother Chris, the favorite child of his parents. He dreams of hoping to become the man Chris has become, yet there is underlying resentment from Paul, as he knows he could never be like Chris and is jealous that his parents seem to forget he exists. When news comes that Chris was killed in the Vietnam War, the entire family is shattered, and Paul knows that one thing that could ruin Chris' image, he was gay. After a series of misdeeds, Paul is forced to work at his dad's pet shop and meets a new recruit, JJ. And in JJ, does Paul realizes the similarities he shares with Chris. Through gradual bonding, Paul sees that JJ could be the guy to help him understand the meaning of what is it takes to be a man.
There is a lot that goes on in this book, very much a lot. Paul is a rather, understandably, angsty teen who is not getting the recognition from his parents and the holy image he had of Chris is shattered when he realized that his brother had relations with men. Add to that, Paul's father is a guy who holds some questionable views and expectations of his sons. While still in a lot of emotional pain and resentment of all his bad luck, Paul gradually improves as he learns some lessons from JJ as he manages to get along fine with most people despite his secret sexual identity. Throughout the novel also, Paul comes to grasp whether or not gayness is right or wrong. Ultimately, he comes to the conclusion that being gay is just part of a person, but does not define them as either lesser or greater than others. It really shows the growth Paul had underwent over the course from a rebellious teen to someone starts seeing others who are different as human as him.
Much of the supporting characters are also fleshed out enough to be fluid and plays like real people, with the exceptions of Paul's bad batch of friends who mainly serve partially as drivers of conflict in the story, and a few recurring characters. JJ is shown to be a very chill teen who knows how to handle difficult situations and self-expression that makes him a well-rounded character, and a positive influence on the young Paul. And Paul's father is one character you become to hate or least feel very annoyed with, seeing as he forces his dreams onto the burden of his children, but he also experiences development by the end of the story as well.
The dialogue is played as real as can be, though I felt some of the words used during the argument scenes are a little off. Was that how people really talked when discussing homosexuality back then? Additionally, while I was okay with the usage of using Paul's mental interactions with dogs for a look into his own conscious, the scenes where JJ continually handled troubled dogs started to run a little repetitious. Like one other reviewer said, maybe the first three times he dealt with animals were enough to get the picture of his character, but the books goes on about that a couple more times. Also, someone else pointed else pointed out as to why couldn't the setting take place in the time of publication with the Iraq War instead of resorting to an older time period for contemporary issues, I could see this story be used with more modern structure. Though, given that gay characters became even more prevalent during the 2000s, perhaps the historical setting helps in seeing the plight more so.
Even with some of the issues I had with the story, it is a novel that is both of acceptance of others being different from what we know and learning how to grow up to formulate our own paths. Much of what happens in this book feels very real, and you grow and become attached with the characters, no matter how troublesome they could be. For its message and portrayal this book is worth a 4 stars.
There is a lot that goes on in this book, very much a lot. Paul is a rather, understandably, angsty teen who is not getting the recognition from his parents and the holy image he had of Chris is shattered when he realized that his brother had relations with men. Add to that, Paul's father is a guy who holds some questionable views and expectations of his sons. While still in a lot of emotional pain and resentment of all his bad luck, Paul gradually improves as he learns some lessons from JJ as he manages to get along fine with most people despite his secret sexual identity. Throughout the novel also, Paul comes to grasp whether or not gayness is right or wrong. Ultimately, he comes to the conclusion that being gay is just part of a person, but does not define them as either lesser or greater than others. It really shows the growth Paul had underwent over the course from a rebellious teen to someone starts seeing others who are different as human as him.
Much of the supporting characters are also fleshed out enough to be fluid and plays like real people, with the exceptions of Paul's bad batch of friends who mainly serve partially as drivers of conflict in the story, and a few recurring characters. JJ is shown to be a very chill teen who knows how to handle difficult situations and self-expression that makes him a well-rounded character, and a positive influence on the young Paul. And Paul's father is one character you become to hate or least feel very annoyed with, seeing as he forces his dreams onto the burden of his children, but he also experiences development by the end of the story as well.
The dialogue is played as real as can be, though I felt some of the words used during the argument scenes are a little off. Was that how people really talked when discussing homosexuality back then? Additionally, while I was okay with the usage of using Paul's mental interactions with dogs for a look into his own conscious, the scenes where JJ continually handled troubled dogs started to run a little repetitious. Like one other reviewer said, maybe the first three times he dealt with animals were enough to get the picture of his character, but the books goes on about that a couple more times. Also, someone else pointed else pointed out as to why couldn't the setting take place in the time of publication with the Iraq War instead of resorting to an older time period for contemporary issues, I could see this story be used with more modern structure. Though, given that gay characters became even more prevalent during the 2000s, perhaps the historical setting helps in seeing the plight more so.
Even with some of the issues I had with the story, it is a novel that is both of acceptance of others being different from what we know and learning how to grow up to formulate our own paths. Much of what happens in this book feels very real, and you grow and become attached with the characters, no matter how troublesome they could be. For its message and portrayal this book is worth a 4 stars.
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October 7, 2010This is the third book by Robin Reardon about being young and gay, and fighting to have a normal life, the third she wrote and the third I read without hesitation. Even if about young men with problem bigger than them, even if it will be difficult, and hard, for them to be happy, these struggling teenagers are stronger than what it seems, and I know that, at the end of their story, there will be a chance for happiness.
This last book is a bit different though; Paul, the protagonist, is not gay. He is the second son in a family where Chris, the oldest, is the perfect one. There is the war in Vietnam, and Chris, as expected from him, is over there, fighting for his country. Paul is too young, but nevertheless, he would be not as good as Chris, even if he enlisted. Paul has always heard as Chris was his parents favorite son, as he, Paul, was almost an unnecessary addition to their family. But even if Paul would have been all the reason to hate Chris, Chris was really Paul’s hero: he was always ready to show to Paul the right path, to give him the right advice, to help him when he was in trouble. And now that Chris is at home, during a leave, Chris tells Paul his biggest secret: he is gay and terrified. Moreover his lover, another soldier, died in Vietnam, and Chris seems to no more have a reason to fight and come back home. Chris is going to die, and he is doing it willingly. For the first time Paul doesn’t see him as an hero: Chris is gay and can’t be an hero, and plus he is a coward, he chose his dead lover over Paul, he will not fight for Paul as he fought for Mason, he will die in Vietnam.
Maybe if Chris returned back home, Paul would have had the chance to change his mind, but unfortunaly Chris indeed dies in Vietnam. Now Paul has all this rage inside him, rage against the world, his family, and Chris. When a new guy comes to help on his dad’s pet shop, he seems the replica of Chris: perfect, kind, too wise for his age and gay. Paul dislikes him like he diskliked Chris, and at the same time he wants to love him like he loved his brother. With JJ, Paul will have a second chance with Chris, a chance to understand him, not to “accept” him, there is nothing to accept, being gay is not a fault, but Paul will learn that he can love JJ, and he could have fully loved Chris, without for this reason being gay as well, or having to change his mind. Paul will learn that love is unconditionally.
It’s the second time that the family of the gay guy is not part of who is rejecting the guy. JJ has a loving mother, that, even if he jokes about the fact of being the fourth male son, and so he has no need to provide her with grandsons, in any case she loves him as above, unconditionally. JJ has had the chance to grow up being loved and accepted, and this is giving him the strength to face the outside world with courage and full front. JJ is not ashamed of being gay, even if the times he is living are not allowing him to be “out and proud”. But I see the embryo of a well-balanced and happy man in him, someone that will be able to fully enjoy his life. Even if Paul is a good character, and I liked to read his story, JJ is another character that I wouldn’t mind to meet again, maybe to see if his promises will be mantained.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/075824679X/?...
This last book is a bit different though; Paul, the protagonist, is not gay. He is the second son in a family where Chris, the oldest, is the perfect one. There is the war in Vietnam, and Chris, as expected from him, is over there, fighting for his country. Paul is too young, but nevertheless, he would be not as good as Chris, even if he enlisted. Paul has always heard as Chris was his parents favorite son, as he, Paul, was almost an unnecessary addition to their family. But even if Paul would have been all the reason to hate Chris, Chris was really Paul’s hero: he was always ready to show to Paul the right path, to give him the right advice, to help him when he was in trouble. And now that Chris is at home, during a leave, Chris tells Paul his biggest secret: he is gay and terrified. Moreover his lover, another soldier, died in Vietnam, and Chris seems to no more have a reason to fight and come back home. Chris is going to die, and he is doing it willingly. For the first time Paul doesn’t see him as an hero: Chris is gay and can’t be an hero, and plus he is a coward, he chose his dead lover over Paul, he will not fight for Paul as he fought for Mason, he will die in Vietnam.
Maybe if Chris returned back home, Paul would have had the chance to change his mind, but unfortunaly Chris indeed dies in Vietnam. Now Paul has all this rage inside him, rage against the world, his family, and Chris. When a new guy comes to help on his dad’s pet shop, he seems the replica of Chris: perfect, kind, too wise for his age and gay. Paul dislikes him like he diskliked Chris, and at the same time he wants to love him like he loved his brother. With JJ, Paul will have a second chance with Chris, a chance to understand him, not to “accept” him, there is nothing to accept, being gay is not a fault, but Paul will learn that he can love JJ, and he could have fully loved Chris, without for this reason being gay as well, or having to change his mind. Paul will learn that love is unconditionally.
It’s the second time that the family of the gay guy is not part of who is rejecting the guy. JJ has a loving mother, that, even if he jokes about the fact of being the fourth male son, and so he has no need to provide her with grandsons, in any case she loves him as above, unconditionally. JJ has had the chance to grow up being loved and accepted, and this is giving him the strength to face the outside world with courage and full front. JJ is not ashamed of being gay, even if the times he is living are not allowing him to be “out and proud”. But I see the embryo of a well-balanced and happy man in him, someone that will be able to fully enjoy his life. Even if Paul is a good character, and I liked to read his story, JJ is another character that I wouldn’t mind to meet again, maybe to see if his promises will be mantained.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/075824679X/?...
December 23, 2024
There are two very good reviews from Amanda and Jeff Arno on GR who cover all the bases and discuss the book in detail - I didn't like the book and I didn't like the previous books by this author that I read and looked at (I gave up on one in annoyance). Having read the author's profile I can understand why - her preening about how wonderful accepting of gays she was is exactly what is wrong with this book - she accepts, tolerates, is not going to be mean to or discriminate against them - but I don't believe she likes them, certainly doesn't want to consider what two men getting together might mean in any physical terms and wants to make sure that if gays are considered at all they are considered as another form of heterosexual - certainly not something that might disturb or upset anyone by doing something gross like, for example, touching and, god-forbid, anything involving nasty things like dicks.
Well tough luck, being queer as a boy meant wanting to touch other boys, and not while sitting on a front porch drinking lemonade under a harvest moon, where I wanted to touch those boys would upset Ms. Reardon and the age I started thinking about, very quickly followed by actually doing so would upset her more. She seems to think gay boys, and straight boys should wait until marriage, and that is probably the only reason Ms. Reardon doesn't hate gay marriages/partnership. She wouldn't like the solo activities boys get up to. I don't think she likes boys.
I hated this book and don't want anyone to read it - there are so many better books out there - go find them and toss this in the bin.
My final statement on this crap book is that I won't shelve it as of queer interest because it is of no interest to any queer person - except to use as toilet paper.
Well tough luck, being queer as a boy meant wanting to touch other boys, and not while sitting on a front porch drinking lemonade under a harvest moon, where I wanted to touch those boys would upset Ms. Reardon and the age I started thinking about, very quickly followed by actually doing so would upset her more. She seems to think gay boys, and straight boys should wait until marriage, and that is probably the only reason Ms. Reardon doesn't hate gay marriages/partnership. She wouldn't like the solo activities boys get up to. I don't think she likes boys.
I hated this book and don't want anyone to read it - there are so many better books out there - go find them and toss this in the bin.
My final statement on this crap book is that I won't shelve it as of queer interest because it is of no interest to any queer person - except to use as toilet paper.
October 13, 2015
Robin knocks another one outta the park!
This book is great. A black sheep younger brother must come to terms with the death of his older brother and idol during the Viet Nam war. Added to the usual tension and grief is the confusion the soldier left in his wake. The night before his return to duty the soldier came out to his younger brother but swore him to secrecy. Not only that he was gay but that he felt he would die in Viet Nam.
From the first chapter, this story grips your attention and you quickly fall under the spell of the younger brother who's trying to come to terms with what he knows.
Reardon has that unique talent of being able to tell compelling stories that deal with tough topics in a fair minded manner that always seems to shed new light on the subject. Having just finished Edmund White's much lauded The Beautiful Room Is Empty, I needed a book like this. Something that was about things more important than a perfectly crafted phrase.
I feel like I'm a better person for the understanding and insight I gain by reading Reardon's fiction. It's books like this that remind me why I'm a reader.
This book is great. A black sheep younger brother must come to terms with the death of his older brother and idol during the Viet Nam war. Added to the usual tension and grief is the confusion the soldier left in his wake. The night before his return to duty the soldier came out to his younger brother but swore him to secrecy. Not only that he was gay but that he felt he would die in Viet Nam.
From the first chapter, this story grips your attention and you quickly fall under the spell of the younger brother who's trying to come to terms with what he knows.
Reardon has that unique talent of being able to tell compelling stories that deal with tough topics in a fair minded manner that always seems to shed new light on the subject. Having just finished Edmund White's much lauded The Beautiful Room Is Empty, I needed a book like this. Something that was about things more important than a perfectly crafted phrase.
I feel like I'm a better person for the understanding and insight I gain by reading Reardon's fiction. It's books like this that remind me why I'm a reader.
February 10, 2011
I was sent this book through Goodreads. A Question of Manhood is the story of Paul, a 16-year old growing up in the Midwest in the Vietnam Era. Paul has lived in the shadow of his seemingly perfect older brother, Chris, who is fighting in the war. On his last visit home, Chris confides in Paul that he is gay. Throughout the novel, Paul wrestles with carrying the "burden" of his brother's secret and his own prejudices against homosexuality.
The author addresses numerous big issues deftly - accepting differences, learning to value oneself, bullying, parental relationships, and religion (in a non-preachy way). Although this is a young adult novel geared to a male audience, I found myself (a thirty-something mother with little children)completely absorbed in the characters and the storylines. The bullying scenes were realistically portrayed, such that I was physically affected, and the characters' actions and reactions were convinving and plausible. Although the story is set in the 1970's, the story and issues appeal to and are relevant to modern readers. This should be a must-read for any high school student. I look forward to reading more from this gifted author.
The author addresses numerous big issues deftly - accepting differences, learning to value oneself, bullying, parental relationships, and religion (in a non-preachy way). Although this is a young adult novel geared to a male audience, I found myself (a thirty-something mother with little children)completely absorbed in the characters and the storylines. The bullying scenes were realistically portrayed, such that I was physically affected, and the characters' actions and reactions were convinving and plausible. Although the story is set in the 1970's, the story and issues appeal to and are relevant to modern readers. This should be a must-read for any high school student. I look forward to reading more from this gifted author.
July 17, 2024
There are some emotionally powerful scenes in this book that had me in tears. That happened several times. This author is very talented. However, the gay character in the book is set up as a saint who teaches straight people about homosexuality, and there is something dehumanizing about that. Long stretches...and I mean very long stretches...of the book are very dry narrative of day-to-day activities. I don't mean to say it was dull, but it was just barren. The extensive information about dog training was kind of fascinating. My heart was in my throat during the big scene with the Rottweiler. Like I say, this author is talented, and when she sets out to write a set piece, she does it very well. She is able to depict action scenes clearly so that the reader can really see in their mind's eye what is happening.
Overall, I probably would not recommend this because it's kind of weird and a lot of it is pages and pages of very flat narrative. It is also hard to read this gay character, who does not even come off as human.
Overall, I probably would not recommend this because it's kind of weird and a lot of it is pages and pages of very flat narrative. It is also hard to read this gay character, who does not even come off as human.
August 10, 2018
I found this book a little slow. I really wanted to find out more about Chris but the book just went in a whole different direction.
April 25, 2025
a twist on the usual story telling.
January 31, 2013
Paul Landon never felt like he was the apple of his parent's eye. That role belonged to his older brother Chris.
Chris was the brave son who enlisted in the army. Charming, goodlooking and smart, he could do no wrong, at least that's what his sixteen year old brother thought.
But when Chris returns home from Vietnam for Thanksgiving, he confides in Paul that he's gay and that his partner, a fellow soldier, died in Vietnam. That secret shatters Paul's his image of his older bro who is then killed in Vietnam too.
Burden with guilt, Paul struggles to carry that secret as he tries to live up to the man that his parents remember Chris was.
In Robin Reardon's third novel, "Question of Manhood,'' we meet an insecure and frustrated Paul as he wrestles with his brother's last secret.
Paul personifies the angst of any typical teenage boy who is trying to establish his own manhood in his home, school and work but can't compete with his parent's memory of a perfect son.
The summer after his brother's death, Paul is forced to work at his father's pet store. There he meets an attractive and smart new employee named JJ, a Latino college freshman.
Through JJ - a Dog Whisperer if you will - Paul finds another older brother type, a mentor who happens to be gay. And through JJ, Paul learns about respect and taking responsibility for your own actions. Most of all, Paul learns that being gay isn't wrong, just the way someone is. Through JJ, Paul learns how to be a man. Paul gets a second chance of better understanding whom his brother was.
Reardon believably channels the voice and inner thoughts of 16-year-old straight boy, which isn't easy to do. From his first sexual experience with a prostitute to caving into peer pressure from a troublesome friend, Paul's thoughts ring true on every page even though at times he comes off as selfish.
Reardon's storytelling is also rich in detail. She lightly reminds you that the book is set in 1972-73 by referencing the cars and movies (Day of The Jackall) that were popular at that time as well as the costs of things.
But the scenes that were most affecting were the ones between JJ and Paul in various dog training sessions.
In those scenes, the reader sees Paul gradually warming up to JJ. Although Paul is suspicious and jealous of JJ at first, he begins to respect and accept him as a friend.
While the book takes off slowly, the story picks up steam once Paul starts working at the pet store as each dog that comes in has a different story to tell. By example, JJ shows Paul how to use patience and psychology to calm these untamed pets.
This isn't a book you want to read fast. Rather, it's one you want to spend some time with to savor the storytelling. Through dialogue that radiated authenticity, Reardon made this reader feel like he was sixteen years old all over again and that's a good thing.
Chris was the brave son who enlisted in the army. Charming, goodlooking and smart, he could do no wrong, at least that's what his sixteen year old brother thought.
But when Chris returns home from Vietnam for Thanksgiving, he confides in Paul that he's gay and that his partner, a fellow soldier, died in Vietnam. That secret shatters Paul's his image of his older bro who is then killed in Vietnam too.
Burden with guilt, Paul struggles to carry that secret as he tries to live up to the man that his parents remember Chris was.
In Robin Reardon's third novel, "Question of Manhood,'' we meet an insecure and frustrated Paul as he wrestles with his brother's last secret.
Paul personifies the angst of any typical teenage boy who is trying to establish his own manhood in his home, school and work but can't compete with his parent's memory of a perfect son.
The summer after his brother's death, Paul is forced to work at his father's pet store. There he meets an attractive and smart new employee named JJ, a Latino college freshman.
Through JJ - a Dog Whisperer if you will - Paul finds another older brother type, a mentor who happens to be gay. And through JJ, Paul learns about respect and taking responsibility for your own actions. Most of all, Paul learns that being gay isn't wrong, just the way someone is. Through JJ, Paul learns how to be a man. Paul gets a second chance of better understanding whom his brother was.
Reardon believably channels the voice and inner thoughts of 16-year-old straight boy, which isn't easy to do. From his first sexual experience with a prostitute to caving into peer pressure from a troublesome friend, Paul's thoughts ring true on every page even though at times he comes off as selfish.
Reardon's storytelling is also rich in detail. She lightly reminds you that the book is set in 1972-73 by referencing the cars and movies (Day of The Jackall) that were popular at that time as well as the costs of things.
But the scenes that were most affecting were the ones between JJ and Paul in various dog training sessions.
In those scenes, the reader sees Paul gradually warming up to JJ. Although Paul is suspicious and jealous of JJ at first, he begins to respect and accept him as a friend.
While the book takes off slowly, the story picks up steam once Paul starts working at the pet store as each dog that comes in has a different story to tell. By example, JJ shows Paul how to use patience and psychology to calm these untamed pets.
This isn't a book you want to read fast. Rather, it's one you want to spend some time with to savor the storytelling. Through dialogue that radiated authenticity, Reardon made this reader feel like he was sixteen years old all over again and that's a good thing.
June 25, 2024
In her two previous novels, A Secret Edge and Thinking Straight, author Robin Reardon introduced readers to gay teens coming to terms with their sexuality and having to endure the long, winding road of coming out. Acceptance is a resonant theme in her writing, and her latest work, A Question of Manhood, is no exception. In this instance, however, the sixteen-year-old protagonist, Paul Landon, is most assuredly not gay.
Paul's older brother, Chris, is on leave from Vietnam for Thanksgiving when he receives word that his fellow soldier, Mason, is dead. On his last night home, Chris comes out to Paul, admits that Mason was his lover, and swears his brother to secrecy. Soon thereafter, the family receives word that Chris has been killed in action, and the news has a devastating ripple effect upon Paul and his parents.
His mother seeks solace at church and his father disappears into oblivion in front of the television. Determined to keep his secret and maintain his parents' picture-perfect image of Chris, Paul spends as little time at home as possible. He gets a job a Burger King and kills time with Marty Kaufman, an unsavory childhood friend who introduces Paul to cigarettes and prostitutes.
The author's writing effectively conveys the heavy, damaging impact of tragedy on this household and each of its members. Conversations are short and tense, and the overall feeling when these individuals spend more than a moment together is extremely uncomfortable yet all the more compelling.
After a night out with Marty goes too far, Paul is figuratively held prisoner at his father's pet supply store for the entire summer. There he meets new hire JJ, a refined, soon-to-be Ivy League freshman who has a way with unruly canines. Something about JJ gets under Paul's skin, yet he is still clearly drawn to him. When JJ confirms Paul's suspicion that he is gay, he sees it as an opportunity to better understand his brother.
Paul is more curious about JJ than genuinely interested in becoming his friend, and JJ is perhaps a bit too self confident for an openly gay, late teen during the mid 1970s. Nonetheless, the pair's odd friendship is purposeful and, for the most part, believable.
I commend the author for selecting such an unconventional setting for this novel. Still, she spends too much time describing the temperament of dogs in an attempt to draw comparisons between pets and their owners. She raises several analogies that are worthy of discussion, but not as important or nearly as interesting as the actual story.
Reardon has crafted a model youngster in Paul Landon who is on mission to learn what it takes to be a man. His father, brother and JJ all exemplify men, each in his own way, and in good time, Paul will likely follow suit.
Paul's older brother, Chris, is on leave from Vietnam for Thanksgiving when he receives word that his fellow soldier, Mason, is dead. On his last night home, Chris comes out to Paul, admits that Mason was his lover, and swears his brother to secrecy. Soon thereafter, the family receives word that Chris has been killed in action, and the news has a devastating ripple effect upon Paul and his parents.
His mother seeks solace at church and his father disappears into oblivion in front of the television. Determined to keep his secret and maintain his parents' picture-perfect image of Chris, Paul spends as little time at home as possible. He gets a job a Burger King and kills time with Marty Kaufman, an unsavory childhood friend who introduces Paul to cigarettes and prostitutes.
The author's writing effectively conveys the heavy, damaging impact of tragedy on this household and each of its members. Conversations are short and tense, and the overall feeling when these individuals spend more than a moment together is extremely uncomfortable yet all the more compelling.
After a night out with Marty goes too far, Paul is figuratively held prisoner at his father's pet supply store for the entire summer. There he meets new hire JJ, a refined, soon-to-be Ivy League freshman who has a way with unruly canines. Something about JJ gets under Paul's skin, yet he is still clearly drawn to him. When JJ confirms Paul's suspicion that he is gay, he sees it as an opportunity to better understand his brother.
Paul is more curious about JJ than genuinely interested in becoming his friend, and JJ is perhaps a bit too self confident for an openly gay, late teen during the mid 1970s. Nonetheless, the pair's odd friendship is purposeful and, for the most part, believable.
I commend the author for selecting such an unconventional setting for this novel. Still, she spends too much time describing the temperament of dogs in an attempt to draw comparisons between pets and their owners. She raises several analogies that are worthy of discussion, but not as important or nearly as interesting as the actual story.
Reardon has crafted a model youngster in Paul Landon who is on mission to learn what it takes to be a man. His father, brother and JJ all exemplify men, each in his own way, and in good time, Paul will likely follow suit.
February 20, 2017
I learned unexpectedly so much about dog training from a novel about a family who experience loss. Paul's brother Chris was only a catalyst to the lesson he would be learning about being a man. The fear of the unknown and fear the dogs experienced were so closely tied that it made sense. I love how the reader is expected to complete the story, not knowing what will happen to the characters, as it allows for us to come up with our own happy ending. The final reveal at the end was not a surprise, but only a confirmation. I have yet to read a novel by this author which has not caused me to tear up in a good way.
November 4, 2010
A touching account of coming of age in rural America during the Vietnam war.
A fact worth noting is this book is not about being a gay teenager. The main character, Paul, is straight and his own sexuality, it's never questioned. This is his journey toward tolerance of others' homosexuality.
Paul faces a difficult relationship with his parents, increased by the guilty loving hating one with his dead brother, Christ. And the secret he took to his grave. A secret he confessed to Paul shortly before dying. Paul struggles with his memories, and the fact that being gay, makes Christ in Paul's view, not so perfect after all. Sadly, he cannot tell his parents, who worship Christ's memory. Ignoring how Paul languishes in the shadow of a brother who he will never surpass.
Paul's brief encounter with a prostitute gets him in trouble with the law, his father confines him at home, only allowing him to work at the family's pet supply store during the summer. Paul's duties include training JJ, the new employee, who seems flawless and who is also gay. Paul is overjealous of JJ's qualities, and the admiration his own father has for him. Eventually, an unexpected friendship joins Paul and JJ, who will teach Paul, among other things, that manhood and sexual preferences are two completely different issues.
The story intimate narrative reads as a biography, and there are moments when Paul comes across as selfish and biased. Other times, he is vulnerable and grief-stricken, inspiring sympathy. The author brilliantly uses the training of aggressive dogs as a vehicle for JJ to show his wisdom and sensibility, while Paul learns about confidence, patience, respect and friendship.
The moment of truth in the book, when Paul has to stand up and protect JJ, is heartbreaking. Paul finally understands Chris' life choices. Being written in first person, we never get a chance to know how JJ, the gay character in the book, really feels. Yes, there are a couple of glances, but only through Paul's perspective. I would have liked to have JJ's inner thoughts too. Maybe we will, I have the feeling he might get a book by the way this one ends.
A fact worth noting is this book is not about being a gay teenager. The main character, Paul, is straight and his own sexuality, it's never questioned. This is his journey toward tolerance of others' homosexuality.
Paul faces a difficult relationship with his parents, increased by the guilty loving hating one with his dead brother, Christ. And the secret he took to his grave. A secret he confessed to Paul shortly before dying. Paul struggles with his memories, and the fact that being gay, makes Christ in Paul's view, not so perfect after all. Sadly, he cannot tell his parents, who worship Christ's memory. Ignoring how Paul languishes in the shadow of a brother who he will never surpass.
Paul's brief encounter with a prostitute gets him in trouble with the law, his father confines him at home, only allowing him to work at the family's pet supply store during the summer. Paul's duties include training JJ, the new employee, who seems flawless and who is also gay. Paul is overjealous of JJ's qualities, and the admiration his own father has for him. Eventually, an unexpected friendship joins Paul and JJ, who will teach Paul, among other things, that manhood and sexual preferences are two completely different issues.
The story intimate narrative reads as a biography, and there are moments when Paul comes across as selfish and biased. Other times, he is vulnerable and grief-stricken, inspiring sympathy. The author brilliantly uses the training of aggressive dogs as a vehicle for JJ to show his wisdom and sensibility, while Paul learns about confidence, patience, respect and friendship.
The moment of truth in the book, when Paul has to stand up and protect JJ, is heartbreaking. Paul finally understands Chris' life choices. Being written in first person, we never get a chance to know how JJ, the gay character in the book, really feels. Yes, there are a couple of glances, but only through Paul's perspective. I would have liked to have JJ's inner thoughts too. Maybe we will, I have the feeling he might get a book by the way this one ends.
December 5, 2012
I've read Robin Reardon's previous novels, "A Secret Edge" and "Thinking Straight", and I had enjoyed both of them. This novel is no different. Well, actually, it's a little different.
Her first two were focused on a male gay teenager. This one has the focus on a younger brother's point-of-view. His name is Paul. And how he's dealing with finding out that his older brother, Chris, who he worships and thinks of him as his hero, is gay.
Here's the year... 1972. And Chris is in the army at the end of the Vietnam War at the time. His mother and father think of him as a hero, but has NO idea what kind of struggles Chris is going through mentally and emotionally. Just in the first part of the novel has become a whirlwind of emotions. Being gay (at that time) was against the law.
Chris has an emotional and mental breakdown and finally comes out of the closet to Paul, his younger brother. But here's the slight twist, Chris already knows that he isn't going to come back and this was the last time his family is going to see him. Paul can't believe what he has heard and doesn't believe it. But Chris begs him not to say a thing about his coming out to the parents. But that's not the focus of the plot. It's all about Paul trying to prove to everyone (parents, friends, even a stranger) that's he's as good as his older brother Chris. But it never works out for him -- because he ends up doing the exact opposite.
The understanding of the constant conflicts that goes through Paul's mind is actually in the third part. BUT this isn't just about understanding the gay issue from the straight guy's point-of-view... in 1972. It's about questioning yourself and who you are to others in your life. Especially when Paul is challenged by JJ during a summer working at his father's Pet Store.
In my opinion, this novel should be part of the high school curriculum. Topics on Gay Youth, Bullying, Peer Pressure, Personal Conflict... Robin Reardon has covered more that what I had expected. It was a great read and hard to put down at times. The chapters were long and intense at times, but worth the detail overall. Added as another one of my favourites.
Her first two were focused on a male gay teenager. This one has the focus on a younger brother's point-of-view. His name is Paul. And how he's dealing with finding out that his older brother, Chris, who he worships and thinks of him as his hero, is gay.
Here's the year... 1972. And Chris is in the army at the end of the Vietnam War at the time. His mother and father think of him as a hero, but has NO idea what kind of struggles Chris is going through mentally and emotionally. Just in the first part of the novel has become a whirlwind of emotions. Being gay (at that time) was against the law.
Chris has an emotional and mental breakdown and finally comes out of the closet to Paul, his younger brother. But here's the slight twist, Chris already knows that he isn't going to come back and this was the last time his family is going to see him. Paul can't believe what he has heard and doesn't believe it. But Chris begs him not to say a thing about his coming out to the parents. But that's not the focus of the plot. It's all about Paul trying to prove to everyone (parents, friends, even a stranger) that's he's as good as his older brother Chris. But it never works out for him -- because he ends up doing the exact opposite.
The understanding of the constant conflicts that goes through Paul's mind is actually in the third part. BUT this isn't just about understanding the gay issue from the straight guy's point-of-view... in 1972. It's about questioning yourself and who you are to others in your life. Especially when Paul is challenged by JJ during a summer working at his father's Pet Store.
In my opinion, this novel should be part of the high school curriculum. Topics on Gay Youth, Bullying, Peer Pressure, Personal Conflict... Robin Reardon has covered more that what I had expected. It was a great read and hard to put down at times. The chapters were long and intense at times, but worth the detail overall. Added as another one of my favourites.
March 15, 2015
My thanks to First Reads for this book.
What makes a man? In Robin Reardon's novel A Question of Manhood, this theme is a constant, especially for the narrator, 16 year old Paul. Set during the Vietnam War, he feels as though he's always been in the shadow of his older brother Chris, who has just come home for a short leave from the hell of war. Afraid of returning, he admits to Paul that he is gay. Paul must struggle with that secret as much as he struggles to be a man, the way his father wants him to be. It is only when he meets JJ, a new employee at his father's pet supply store, that he begins to understand how to resolve the conflicts in his head and his life.
I absolutely loved this novel. My only regret is that it ended--as much as I enjoyed Paul's emotional journey, I wanted to learn more about JJ. Perhaps Reardon would grace us with a sequel--one can hope.
Everthing about this novel felt real, from the attitudes towards the war and homophobia,to JJ's handling of dogs in need of leadership. Reardon truly reaches out to gay teens in this novel with a strong yet gentle character that nearly overshadows the narrator. Because of this, I feel that this book should be in high school libraries across the country. However I definitely rate this a "must read" for all ages.
I have not yet read Reardon's previous books, but now look forward to them even more.
What makes a man? In Robin Reardon's novel A Question of Manhood, this theme is a constant, especially for the narrator, 16 year old Paul. Set during the Vietnam War, he feels as though he's always been in the shadow of his older brother Chris, who has just come home for a short leave from the hell of war. Afraid of returning, he admits to Paul that he is gay. Paul must struggle with that secret as much as he struggles to be a man, the way his father wants him to be. It is only when he meets JJ, a new employee at his father's pet supply store, that he begins to understand how to resolve the conflicts in his head and his life.
I absolutely loved this novel. My only regret is that it ended--as much as I enjoyed Paul's emotional journey, I wanted to learn more about JJ. Perhaps Reardon would grace us with a sequel--one can hope.
Everthing about this novel felt real, from the attitudes towards the war and homophobia,to JJ's handling of dogs in need of leadership. Reardon truly reaches out to gay teens in this novel with a strong yet gentle character that nearly overshadows the narrator. Because of this, I feel that this book should be in high school libraries across the country. However I definitely rate this a "must read" for all ages.
I have not yet read Reardon's previous books, but now look forward to them even more.
June 5, 2011
A YA novel. In 1972, 16-year-old Paul's older brother Chris is serving in the Army in the VietNam war. Despite the fact that Paul has always felt shadowed by Chris, the family's golden boy, he longs for the war to end so that Chris - who has always been a good brother to Paul - can come home. Chris does come home on a short leave, during which he entrusts Paul with a secret: Chris is gay. Then Chris returns to the war and is killed in action, leaving Paul dealing not only with grief, but with the burden of a knowledge he can't share. The next year, Paul meets JJ, a gay college freshman who comes to work for the summer at Paul's father's pet supply store. In getting to know JJ, Paul at last comes to know who his brother was and what the real meaning of what manhood is.
Once I picked up this book, I literally could not put it down. The characters are compelling and the family rang true. I was moved to tears at several points. The ending was very satisfying.
Teenaged readers of this book will be surprised to find out how oppressive things were back in 1972 - from homosexuality being illegal to parents being allowed to whip their children with a belt without anybody dreaming it could be called abuse. Everyone should be glad that it's not still 1972.
I definitely recommend this book to adults as well as to the YA crowd.
Once I picked up this book, I literally could not put it down. The characters are compelling and the family rang true. I was moved to tears at several points. The ending was very satisfying.
Teenaged readers of this book will be surprised to find out how oppressive things were back in 1972 - from homosexuality being illegal to parents being allowed to whip their children with a belt without anybody dreaming it could be called abuse. Everyone should be glad that it's not still 1972.
I definitely recommend this book to adults as well as to the YA crowd.
Read
August 6, 2011I will start this review by confessing that I never connected to it. I tried, I really did, but the first person narrator was not exactly endearing. It's possible that as a staunch LGBT advocate I had less than usual patience for him, but..yes, I don't know. He was very whiny. I get why, but he was so self-centered and so incredibly slow to change--he has a rather miraculous turn around at the end, but I didn't trust it coming.
Most of the time I wanted to beat Paul about the head. While I'm quite sure his attitude was accurate of the time, this wasn't written in 1970, so I want it to feel relevant to right now. As a result, Paul was whiny, immature, and aggravating to me. Honestly, I read most of the end braced for him to be a complete idiot and possibly get JJ hurt. I had no sense that this wouldn't happen.
I think that was my biggest problem. I started the book irritated with Paul, loved Chris, and then, as the back of the book promises, he dies. Chris, the only reason I was reading, was gone, and it wasn't until JJ showed up that I had anyone to plug into emotionally again. And because it was set in the 70s and Paul had proven himself rather cowardly and barbaric when it came to homosexuality, I kept fearing for my boy JJ.
I felt this book had a good concept but wasn't executed in a way I could access.
May 10, 2013
Another thought provoking tear jerker by the wonderful Robin Reardon. The story asks some heavy questions of teenager Paul Landon who learns of his older brothers dark secret - he's gay and asks Paul not to tell anyone, just before he leaves again for Vietnam after a short leave home for thanksgiving break (don't worry no spoilers - all this on the back cover) and shortly after returning is KIA and Paul must learn to accept his brothers secret by asking himself - what makes a man? The answers come in the form of JJ a coworker at his fathers pet shop and animal whisperer and openly gay. A ballsy story for being set in 1972 just after the Stonewall riots, before it was ok to really be OUT and proud and still illegal to be known as homosexual by the public, with Anita Bryant tearing through the gay community and Harvey Milk hadn't even really been heard of yet. This book brought me to tears at its deeper truths of family and friendships and even though Paul himself isn't gay he still is faced with a lot of secrets that are similar to closeted gay kids and people who haven't come out yet! A must read :) can't wait to read the next one Robin!
February 5, 2012
This novel did not really work for me, though I did learn a lot about how to train dogs with behavior problems. It is told from the viewpoint of a straight teen, a jerk, but not an atypical jerk for a teen boy. Its main themes are what it means to be a man and acceptance of a Gay brother thru interaction with a Gay co-worker at his dad's pet supply store. Learning to train disturbed dogs is a metaphor for learning what it means to be a man. But, this did not really work for me. Though humans are pack animals, like dogs, we have much more complex social structures. The boy/dad relationship was also a part of this metaphor, but typical. The novel seemed to explore "the question of manhood" rather superficially. The Gay acceptance part was old hat and had with nothing really new for me.
I suppose reading the novel as a teen or young adult would be more meaningful, though becoming a man will need a lot more experience and exploration than this novel provides.
The prose style was well done.
I suppose reading the novel as a teen or young adult would be more meaningful, though becoming a man will need a lot more experience and exploration than this novel provides.
The prose style was well done.
October 29, 2010
I loved this book! I loved the honesty the main character, Paul, shows us. I really got to know Paul as he struggled not only with growing up, but with learning his older brother is gay, then killed in the war. He makes real mistakes. He fights with his parents. He want to grow up, yet wants his parents love like when he was eight years old. Struggling to survive as his family falls apart after the death of their "favorite" son, Paul finds himself forced to work for his dad as punishment for getting into trouble with the law. There he meets JJ, the new employee who soon gets his dads attention. JJ is a master at working with animals, and soon Paul has to decide if he likes JJ or not. Learning that JJ is gay, Paul has to decide if that's enough to hate him for or if he needs to finally grow up and become a man. Liked the characters and the plot was constent. A great book for teen readers.
April 26, 2015
This was a great book showing 1) how harmful stereotypes are and 2) how meeting and spending time with someone you have negative stereotype feelings for can help you understand that person more. I think the author did a great job of showing how someone can gradually change their views by spending time with someone they feel uncomfortable with. If all you know of someone with another religion, viewpoint, race, or sexual identity is what you've been told, then you really don't know much. I love the exploration of what being a real man really means because often the accusation against gays is that they aren't real men and this portrayal of gays showed how inaccurate that was. I felt that the parts about Chris seemed very realistic. what was not realistic was everything about JJ and how open and unafraid he was. It was strange how this was set in the Vietnam era but the book felt like it could have been set not long ago.I hope more people read this book and feel their views challenged.
June 21, 2013
This was a really good book. It would've been a great book but for one aspect. It contained what should have been a subplot about dog training. I understand the metaphoric purpose of this subplot. The problem is that the "subplot" really took over probably half the book. It became the main plot for most of the second half of the book, except for the very, very end when it went back to the father-son(s) dynamic. I understand the point of this sub-plot and its role in advancing the greater story. It was just far too much of the book. Nevertheless, the human part of the story was very powerful, well-crafted and, like any well-crafted story, with a few surprises. The voice of the main character was very good.
February 5, 2019
I loved the idea behind this book, but the execution just didn't do it for me.
Paul has got to be the most ridiculously stupid, annoying and whinny 16 year old ever. I can appreciate that teens can do some stupid things, but this kid just didn't learn. I grew very irritated with him.
I didn't care for the writing style, I've read some POV from a teen's perspective and they were fine, but with this book it also was annoying. Reading inner dialogue followed by "you know what I mean..." repeatedly was silly.
Finally the dog training could have been cut drastically down. It really wasn't a huge asset to the story and could have shortened this puppy quite a bit.
Paul has got to be the most ridiculously stupid, annoying and whinny 16 year old ever. I can appreciate that teens can do some stupid things, but this kid just didn't learn. I grew very irritated with him.
I didn't care for the writing style, I've read some POV from a teen's perspective and they were fine, but with this book it also was annoying. Reading inner dialogue followed by "you know what I mean..." repeatedly was silly.
Finally the dog training could have been cut drastically down. It really wasn't a huge asset to the story and could have shortened this puppy quite a bit.
March 5, 2018
What does it mean to be man? That's the question that Paul must answer for himself after the death of his older brother in Vietnam. While on leave prior to his death Chris reveals to Paul that he's gay and that his lover has just been killed in action. Chris fearing his parent's reaction swears Paul to secrecy. Paul struggles to understand the meaning of manhood and reconcile that to the knowledge that his brother was gay which in his 70s mindset just seemed irreconcilable. Then to further confuse him is his own homophobia and that of his friends particularly when JJ enters his life at work. A wonderful story of personal growth and understanding.
June 1, 2012
Not Reardon's strongest book, but it was a novel concept telling a story about LGBTQ identity through the eyes of the heterosexual brother dealing with his brother's coming out/secret. The narrative was clean and concise, differing from Reardon titles like "The Evolution of Ethan Poe." The time shift was interesting because young readers of the gay and lesbian community seem to think that gays have only existed recently. Even at 23, I forget that once, in America, homosexuality was illegal. Definitely worth a read.
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