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Adam
Adam is a delightful sixteen-year-old who does well in school and spends his spare time practising the cello. Or that's what his parents think. But there is another side to him, which comes to the fore when he falls for a labourer called Sylvain and realises that friendships have the potential to be more than platonic. The results are explosive in this passionate story of illicit romance and teenage angst over one long, hot summer in the French countryside.
208 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
63 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Anthony McDonald
68 books106 followersAnthony McDonald studied history at Durham University. He worked very briefly as a musical instrument maker and as a farm labourer before moving into the theatre, where he has worked in almost every capacity except those of Director and Electrician.
His first novel, Orange Bitter, Orange Sweet, was published in 2001 and his second, Adam, in 2003.
Orange Bitter, Orange Sweet became the first book in a Seville trilogy that also comprises Along The Stars and Woodcock Flight.
Other books include the sequel to Adam, - Blue Sky Adam - and the stand-alone adventure story, Getting Orlando.
Ivor's Ghosts, a psychological thriller, was published in April 2014.
The Dog In The Chapel, and Ralph: Diary of a Gay Teen, both appeared in 2014. Anthony is the also the author of the Gay Romance series, which comprises ten short novels.
Anthony McDonald's short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic
He has also written the scripts for several Words and Music events, based around the lives and works of composers including Schubert and Brahms, which have been performed in Britain and in Portugal.
His travel writing has appeared in the Independent newspaper.
After several years of living and teaching English in France McDonald is now based based in rural East Sussex.
His first novel, Orange Bitter, Orange Sweet, was published in 2001 and his second, Adam, in 2003.
Orange Bitter, Orange Sweet became the first book in a Seville trilogy that also comprises Along The Stars and Woodcock Flight.
Other books include the sequel to Adam, - Blue Sky Adam - and the stand-alone adventure story, Getting Orlando.
Ivor's Ghosts, a psychological thriller, was published in April 2014.
The Dog In The Chapel, and Ralph: Diary of a Gay Teen, both appeared in 2014. Anthony is the also the author of the Gay Romance series, which comprises ten short novels.
Anthony McDonald's short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic
He has also written the scripts for several Words and Music events, based around the lives and works of composers including Schubert and Brahms, which have been performed in Britain and in Portugal.
His travel writing has appeared in the Independent newspaper.
After several years of living and teaching English in France McDonald is now based based in rural East Sussex.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 17, 2012
I'm really thankful for the community of people on this website. Without them, I wouldn't have all these great books to read. That being said, this book was fantastic!
I fell quickly in the French country side that was painted for me so vividly I thought I was there. Words flowed effortlessly for this author, excellent follow-thru, this author spins words with such an eased Caress he is a beautiful poet. His characters were insightful, witty and had a voracious appetite for being young and using it to their full advantage. Making the same type of mistakes we all do at that age, regardless of how cliche it may be. This book had. Breakneck passion, impatience and the lack of cynicism we seem to impregnate ourselves with at such an early age now. Truly a breath of fresh air. I recommend this work to any and all.
I fell quickly in the French country side that was painted for me so vividly I thought I was there. Words flowed effortlessly for this author, excellent follow-thru, this author spins words with such an eased Caress he is a beautiful poet. His characters were insightful, witty and had a voracious appetite for being young and using it to their full advantage. Making the same type of mistakes we all do at that age, regardless of how cliche it may be. This book had. Breakneck passion, impatience and the lack of cynicism we seem to impregnate ourselves with at such an early age now. Truly a breath of fresh air. I recommend this work to any and all.
August 23, 2012
Adam is a modern-day adolescent love story set in rural France. Adam is a sixteen year old boy from England who moves to France when his father's engineering company dispatches him to work on a bridge construction project. While there, Adam adapts rather quickly to the French language and culture and develops friendships with a handful of his school mates. He also meets an older boy, age 22, while exploring the countryside one afternoon.
Adam's acquaintance, Sylvain, is ruddy and extremely manly. At once Adam is attracted to him. Months earlier, while still residing in England, Adam had first discovered his homosexual attractions when he engaged in repeated sexual exploration sessions with his best friend Michael. When he begins to realize that Sylvain is attracted to him as well, he picks up where he left off in his pursuit of sexual self discovery. They embark upon an ongoing sexual relationship and ultimately fall in love.
When Michael visits Adam a few months later, a mutual friend Sean tags along. For ages Adam has harbored a secret crush on Sean, and he is conflicted over how to reconcile these feelings with his relationship with (and commitment to)Sylvain. Adam ends up having sex with both Michael and Sean during their visit.
Eventually, Adam has to face the reality that his father's temporary post in France is going to expire and the family will be moving back to England. He is distraught, not sure how to break the news to Sylvain. When he finally informs his lover that he will be soon leaving, Sylvain takes drastic measures, taking matters into his own hands as he attempts to force a solution to their dilemma which is anything but practical.
This story was a mixed read for me. There are numerous things about the book that I honestly loved. The writing was superb. The romance and physical intimacy were beautiful presented. I was able to relate to Adam, and I grew to genuinely care for him, as flawed as he may have been.
In my view, the author presented a touching story that depicted a teenager sampling three very powerful variations of love for the first time. His relationship with Michael represented an enduring, most often platonic love, a love that will likely continue throughout his life. They are best friends and share a connection most others are incapable of understanding. Sean represents infatuation. He's the unrequited lover (at least for a season), the one Adam pines for and fantasizes about. Sylvain is the person with whom Adam ultimately falls in love.
I understood these distinctions, and although it was unsettling at times to see Adam approach sex so casually, I also accepted the context. My personal viewpoint is that there are many sixteen year olds who are sexual active, even promiscuous, but it didn't sit right with me as I tried to mentally frame his sexual behavior within the context of his overall identity. Adam seemed to be an intelligent, well-mannered, and possibly even fastidious young man. Then this other side of him made me think of him as being slutty and replete of any firm morals.
I ended up questioning myself, wondering if perhaps my issues with this depiction were culturally based. Perhaps my attitude toward sex is far too Puritan as opposed to European.
Setting this issue aside, I also took issue with the characterization in the story. Yes, the story is primarily told from Adam's POV, but I yearned to understand Sylvain more. I struggled a bit with their romance. Was it supposed to be a classic opposites attract type relationship? That certainly was the case, Adam being intellectual and a bit cultured while Sylvain was a simple farmer. Adam was younger with a slender, boyish body, and Sylvain was a grown man. Adam was a deep thinker who had big dreams while Sylvain could not see beyond his limited scope of experiences on the farm.
Sexually Sylvain dominated, yet Adam was completely in control of the relationship. Adam had intellectual superiority, and the fact that he was proud of this fact made him at times seem snobbish. There was a part of me that hated him for this.
Is such a relationship possible for two people who are so opposite one another? It seemed a stretch for me. If only I'd been able to see more of who Sylvain was, maybe I'd be able to "get it". Then again, maybe there was no more of Sylvain to show. That was the point. He was a simple person, with limitations, and love transcends such things.
It also irked me that the author often used such verbosity in his prose. He provided a minutia of detail that was unnecessary and often included blocks of text (dialogue) that were in French. Perhaps a bilingual reader would be able to appreciate this. To me, though, it was confusing. I grew weary of trying to decipher the French quotations by using context and wished the author had simply translated them. Although the writing itself was beautiful, I think there is something to be said for the adage, "Less is more."
Overall I enjoyed the challenge of this read. I was stirred emotionally and I learned some new vocabulary in the process. I also really did grow to care about the main character. I think readers who enjoy stories that are non-formulaic and atypical may appreciate this read. And readers who appreciate the beauty of the written word over the plausibility of the plot would rate this book highly. In other words, the writing can be appreciated even if the story itself is not.
Adam's acquaintance, Sylvain, is ruddy and extremely manly. At once Adam is attracted to him. Months earlier, while still residing in England, Adam had first discovered his homosexual attractions when he engaged in repeated sexual exploration sessions with his best friend Michael. When he begins to realize that Sylvain is attracted to him as well, he picks up where he left off in his pursuit of sexual self discovery. They embark upon an ongoing sexual relationship and ultimately fall in love.
When Michael visits Adam a few months later, a mutual friend Sean tags along. For ages Adam has harbored a secret crush on Sean, and he is conflicted over how to reconcile these feelings with his relationship with (and commitment to)Sylvain. Adam ends up having sex with both Michael and Sean during their visit.
Eventually, Adam has to face the reality that his father's temporary post in France is going to expire and the family will be moving back to England. He is distraught, not sure how to break the news to Sylvain. When he finally informs his lover that he will be soon leaving, Sylvain takes drastic measures, taking matters into his own hands as he attempts to force a solution to their dilemma which is anything but practical.
This story was a mixed read for me. There are numerous things about the book that I honestly loved. The writing was superb. The romance and physical intimacy were beautiful presented. I was able to relate to Adam, and I grew to genuinely care for him, as flawed as he may have been.
In my view, the author presented a touching story that depicted a teenager sampling three very powerful variations of love for the first time. His relationship with Michael represented an enduring, most often platonic love, a love that will likely continue throughout his life. They are best friends and share a connection most others are incapable of understanding. Sean represents infatuation. He's the unrequited lover (at least for a season), the one Adam pines for and fantasizes about. Sylvain is the person with whom Adam ultimately falls in love.
I understood these distinctions, and although it was unsettling at times to see Adam approach sex so casually, I also accepted the context. My personal viewpoint is that there are many sixteen year olds who are sexual active, even promiscuous, but it didn't sit right with me as I tried to mentally frame his sexual behavior within the context of his overall identity. Adam seemed to be an intelligent, well-mannered, and possibly even fastidious young man. Then this other side of him made me think of him as being slutty and replete of any firm morals.
I ended up questioning myself, wondering if perhaps my issues with this depiction were culturally based. Perhaps my attitude toward sex is far too Puritan as opposed to European.
Setting this issue aside, I also took issue with the characterization in the story. Yes, the story is primarily told from Adam's POV, but I yearned to understand Sylvain more. I struggled a bit with their romance. Was it supposed to be a classic opposites attract type relationship? That certainly was the case, Adam being intellectual and a bit cultured while Sylvain was a simple farmer. Adam was younger with a slender, boyish body, and Sylvain was a grown man. Adam was a deep thinker who had big dreams while Sylvain could not see beyond his limited scope of experiences on the farm.
Sexually Sylvain dominated, yet Adam was completely in control of the relationship. Adam had intellectual superiority, and the fact that he was proud of this fact made him at times seem snobbish. There was a part of me that hated him for this.
Is such a relationship possible for two people who are so opposite one another? It seemed a stretch for me. If only I'd been able to see more of who Sylvain was, maybe I'd be able to "get it". Then again, maybe there was no more of Sylvain to show. That was the point. He was a simple person, with limitations, and love transcends such things.
It also irked me that the author often used such verbosity in his prose. He provided a minutia of detail that was unnecessary and often included blocks of text (dialogue) that were in French. Perhaps a bilingual reader would be able to appreciate this. To me, though, it was confusing. I grew weary of trying to decipher the French quotations by using context and wished the author had simply translated them. Although the writing itself was beautiful, I think there is something to be said for the adage, "Less is more."
Overall I enjoyed the challenge of this read. I was stirred emotionally and I learned some new vocabulary in the process. I also really did grow to care about the main character. I think readers who enjoy stories that are non-formulaic and atypical may appreciate this read. And readers who appreciate the beauty of the written word over the plausibility of the plot would rate this book highly. In other words, the writing can be appreciated even if the story itself is not.
June 24, 2024
(corrected some spelling mistakes in June 2024 otherwise unchanged).
You will find my original review below and when I found a copy of the book recently I decided to reread it, always a risky thing to do with books you remember fondly but aren't sure if they are really all that good, and was very pleasantly surprised. Although I would probably not award it five stars, I certainly would give it four and will not mark down my original award. I will be honest and admit that it could have been better, there were elements that seemed contrived - particularly his mother's rediscovery of an intense and excessive Catholicism towards the end which seemed to exist to provide a reason for Adam to make some rather over the top comparisons between how his gayness hurt his mother and the 'mater dolorosa' of the Stations of the Cross in the local church.
So the novel is flawed but although on second reading I wished we had more insight and under standing of the French boy Sylvan (and believe that there was/is a really great novel in his character) I could not help but love the utter honesty of Adam and his English and French friends. They are completely believable because despite what everyone believes about the current younger generation (and what a moveable concept that is anyway) being far more knowledgeable then those that have gone before the truth is that it doesn't matter how much more information is out there, how much more 'open' and 'liberal' parents and others may appear sex in general and being gay/queer in particular is always challenging and confusing.
Although it never will be I wish this sort of novel would be read by young men who are or think they might be gay rather then any of the drivel currently being promoted which repackages being gay as a variation on being heterosexual and generally tries to force moral strictures and repression that most of us rejected in our own teen years on those young enough to be our children or grandchildren.
My original review:
I read this book a long time ago but I have nothing but fond memories of it - I enjoyed it immensely, I loved the tale of young Adam, the cello playing good boy who underneath his proper exterior is actually a normal 16 year old boy boiling over with rampant hormones and desires which include, but are not limited to romping about with old school friends when they come to visit - he is spending a year with his parents in France. He becomes involved with a rather simple minded, older, French youth, Sylvan, who Adam goes off with (or is it a kidnapping? I can't remember exactly but I think was a bit of both) and causes all sorts of distress and complications. But it is just such marvelous fun and well written and a great joy to read. I remember smiling when I read the book and I remain smiling now as I recollect it. A really great novel.
You will find my original review below and when I found a copy of the book recently I decided to reread it, always a risky thing to do with books you remember fondly but aren't sure if they are really all that good, and was very pleasantly surprised. Although I would probably not award it five stars, I certainly would give it four and will not mark down my original award. I will be honest and admit that it could have been better, there were elements that seemed contrived - particularly his mother's rediscovery of an intense and excessive Catholicism towards the end which seemed to exist to provide a reason for Adam to make some rather over the top comparisons between how his gayness hurt his mother and the 'mater dolorosa' of the Stations of the Cross in the local church.
So the novel is flawed but although on second reading I wished we had more insight and under standing of the French boy Sylvan (and believe that there was/is a really great novel in his character) I could not help but love the utter honesty of Adam and his English and French friends. They are completely believable because despite what everyone believes about the current younger generation (and what a moveable concept that is anyway) being far more knowledgeable then those that have gone before the truth is that it doesn't matter how much more information is out there, how much more 'open' and 'liberal' parents and others may appear sex in general and being gay/queer in particular is always challenging and confusing.
Although it never will be I wish this sort of novel would be read by young men who are or think they might be gay rather then any of the drivel currently being promoted which repackages being gay as a variation on being heterosexual and generally tries to force moral strictures and repression that most of us rejected in our own teen years on those young enough to be our children or grandchildren.
My original review:
I read this book a long time ago but I have nothing but fond memories of it - I enjoyed it immensely, I loved the tale of young Adam, the cello playing good boy who underneath his proper exterior is actually a normal 16 year old boy boiling over with rampant hormones and desires which include, but are not limited to romping about with old school friends when they come to visit - he is spending a year with his parents in France. He becomes involved with a rather simple minded, older, French youth, Sylvan, who Adam goes off with (or is it a kidnapping? I can't remember exactly but I think was a bit of both) and causes all sorts of distress and complications. But it is just such marvelous fun and well written and a great joy to read. I remember smiling when I read the book and I remain smiling now as I recollect it. A really great novel.
May 21, 2013
I'm at a bit of a loss about what to say because any words I string together sound a bit lame after reading this book. It really is beautiful.
It tells the story of Adam, a rather precocious 16 year old who has moved to France temporarily with his family. So what can I say about Adam? He is intelligent, he is a talented cellist, and he likes wanking. Oh, he really likes wanking. He really, really likes it, be it on his own, up a rope in gym class, with his school mates, thinking about his school mates, in the woods, up trees, with the new rather delectable 22 year old farm boy (Sylvain) he meets in the woods...Did I mention he likes wanking? Yeah, he kind of does.
Now, this of course makes it sound very PWP, and with the amount of orgasms Adam has in this book (I won't even try to count) in all honesty it could just be a smutty little coming-of-age tale, but the way it is written is so amazingly beautiful, it's not that at all.
You see, Adam happens to fall in love with Sylvain (who incidentally has a mental age of 14) and Sylvain happens to fall in love with Adam. Which would be fine (actually, no it wouldn't because of a hundred problems inherent in the relationship) but the simple love affair it is, is also incredibly complicated, partly because of Adam's complete inability to keep it in his pants. And Adam's complete inability to form any coherent thoughts when the slightest hint of sex is involved (which for Adam is all the time).
While this book is definitely erotic, it is not particularly explicit. Quite often in fact you are just told that 'they make love' but the fact that Adam's thoughts are so sexually charged makes the whole feel of the book pretty erotic, if that makes any sense whatsoever.
The author writes so beautifully that you don't just 'read' this book, you 'feel' it. You feel the beauty of the countryside, you feel the confusing rush of emotions that are constantly bombarding Adam, you feel the intensity of first love, and you feel the absolutely undeniable thrill and pull of temptation.
Now, a few reviewers have mentioned that the language is too descriptive, and this initially put me off reading the book. I tend to like fast-paced stories, without too much flowery language, but as soon as I started reading this I forgot all about my preferences for snappy little scenes and just enjoyed the absolute beauty of the language used. The occasional use of French adds to the atmosphere of the book, although I could see how it might be frustrating if you had no knowledge at all of the language, but in some cases I think it is necessary, such as
This author is truly a cut above. His use of language is beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Oh, and did I mention it's beautiful? I think I may have done once or twice.
It tells the story of Adam, a rather precocious 16 year old who has moved to France temporarily with his family. So what can I say about Adam? He is intelligent, he is a talented cellist, and he likes wanking. Oh, he really likes wanking. He really, really likes it, be it on his own, up a rope in gym class, with his school mates, thinking about his school mates, in the woods, up trees, with the new rather delectable 22 year old farm boy (Sylvain) he meets in the woods...Did I mention he likes wanking? Yeah, he kind of does.
Now, this of course makes it sound very PWP, and with the amount of orgasms Adam has in this book (I won't even try to count) in all honesty it could just be a smutty little coming-of-age tale, but the way it is written is so amazingly beautiful, it's not that at all.
You see, Adam happens to fall in love with Sylvain (who incidentally has a mental age of 14) and Sylvain happens to fall in love with Adam. Which would be fine (actually, no it wouldn't because of a hundred problems inherent in the relationship) but the simple love affair it is, is also incredibly complicated, partly because of Adam's complete inability to keep it in his pants. And Adam's complete inability to form any coherent thoughts when the slightest hint of sex is involved (which for Adam is all the time).
While this book is definitely erotic, it is not particularly explicit. Quite often in fact you are just told that 'they make love' but the fact that Adam's thoughts are so sexually charged makes the whole feel of the book pretty erotic, if that makes any sense whatsoever.
The author writes so beautifully that you don't just 'read' this book, you 'feel' it. You feel the beauty of the countryside, you feel the confusing rush of emotions that are constantly bombarding Adam, you feel the intensity of first love, and you feel the absolutely undeniable thrill and pull of temptation.
Now, a few reviewers have mentioned that the language is too descriptive, and this initially put me off reading the book. I tend to like fast-paced stories, without too much flowery language, but as soon as I started reading this I forgot all about my preferences for snappy little scenes and just enjoyed the absolute beauty of the language used. The occasional use of French adds to the atmosphere of the book, although I could see how it might be frustrating if you had no knowledge at all of the language, but in some cases I think it is necessary, such as
This author is truly a cut above. His use of language is beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Oh, and did I mention it's beautiful? I think I may have done once or twice.
May 2, 2013
I simply loved this book and fell in love with the writers poetic style.
August 22, 2018
A moving exploration of the confusions of gay adolescence. The book is sensual, but the sex scenes do not dominate the story. The characters are interesting, and the story stands alone, although there is a sequel and we are left interested enough to want to know what happens to the relationships. My only quibble is that all the main characters, including a 23 year old, are prodigiously productive, and if the author assumes this is normal, based on his own adolescence, then I feel sorry for the author's mother and her washing machine. But the book is not primarily about the orgasms. The focus throughout is the emotions, characters, and plot line, so it works very well as a novel. A delight to read.
February 9, 2016
This is one of my all time favorite books. I cannot praise it enough. The writing is just so beautiful and evocative it swept me away- I feel I lived the rural French setting, the sensuousness of Adam's relationship with Sylvain.
I found the ending a little strange but it did not detract from the novel, just puzzled me a little.
Suki Fleet
I found the ending a little strange but it did not detract from the novel, just puzzled me a little.
Suki Fleet
March 23, 2021
AU NATURALE
Knowing what I now know, I long to be in the first quarter of my life, not in the last, and live in Anthony McDonald's world. Nine months ago I stumbled across Adam's Star, the third book in McDonald's Adam Trilogy. I enjoyed it a lot, but felt it read too much like a gay soap opera (read the review, if you care too). Looking for another work of gay fiction that didn't fall within the m/m romance genre, I recalled that book and decided to go back and look at McDonald's first in this series and that led me to Adam's "sensuous coming of age tale." "Sensuous" is a bit of an understatement. I've now queued up to read Blue Sky Adam (Volume 2) and, while not in chronological order, I look forward to finishing this trilogy.
McDonald's prose in volume one and three is quite consistently poetic and beautiful. As a writer he reminds me of André Aciman. I anticipate the middle tome will be no different. While "McDonald" isn't at all a French name, he draws deeply from French culture of which he seems intimately familiar and the story is set mostly in France. I somehow imagine that McDonald is a fan of the 18th Century's French philosophe, Jean Jacques Rousseau. Nature is a major focus in McDonald's writing. His story-telling is full of vivid lyrical descriptions of the natural world, both the scenic, as well as the myriad of creatures abound within it.
It is in this natural world that McDonald describes love between boys and men which he values just as normal, shall I say, as "natural" as those humans who also have sex for pleasure and occasionally procreate to propagate our species. In fact, the two protagonists of this story, sixteen year old Adam and twenty-two year old Sylvain, meet when Adam literally drops from a tree he's climbed onto a wooded path and greets Sylvain strolling along it. Only moments later they experience their first acts of intimacy. For a great deal of this book the two of them have a lot of sex out among the birds, the flowers, the forest and the trees in the midst of nature. McDonald's confluence of gay sex "in harmony" with nature is not lost. As teenage Adam struggles with accepting himself, deals with the rage of his hormones, and negotiates his psychological safety in a straight and prejudicial world, I definitely intimately related to having been there (or close), done that (or similar) myself. Evidently so does many, many other people who've read this book which is why it's considered a classic of gay literature.
I will guess because cell phones, not smart though, and other references, Adam is a millennial and the period time is early 21st century. I, myself am a baby-boomer so "coming out" was a very different thing when I was sixteen. Even so with Sylvain, Adam's secret lover who is six years his senior. (There is currently no statutory rape laws in France). Adam is also surrounded by group of friends his own age both in England and then in France when his father's job relocates the family to a rural area outside Paris where he meets Sylvain. They are all male with the exclusion of one, and all gay or "questioning" with the exclusion of one which seemed a bit contrived. And... the boys all have sex with Adam and some with each other and are knowledgeable of all these various trysts. They are also all much pretty o.k. with it. There's astonishingly little jealousy or rivalry between them. Mostly just a matter-of-fact acceptance that love need not always be connected to the sex act. "What is the nature of love in all its many forms?" seems to be the subject that McDonald wants to explore.
This is my major criticism of the novel. Even in enlightened Europe in the new century, have the younger generations among us gone so far in rejecting the Victorian values laid upon them by previous generations? Some teens, some times, may experience some casual sex, but McDonald seems to just take it all a "shag too far." There's even a scene where recovering from the first severe hang-over of his life, worried that his "adult" lover may have actually kidnapped him, Adam can't control his urges and gropes a boy fourteen years old boy who happens upon him. He actually succeeds ultimately in exciting the young boy to orgasm without even touching him! At first, I was quite put off by this scene. It seemed completely out of context for the given circumstances in which Adam found himself. Alternatively, however, even in sexually uptight America it's true experimentation between adolescents is generally accepted up to a certain age. Maybe I'm naïve and McDonald has it right? Many, many times these boys find release without any overt stimulation. It's spontaneous orgasm. Merely physically pressing their bodies against one another produces the intended result. These encounters seem to be a daily occurrence with Adam et.al. and just defy believability. Still Adam's story has captivated me to the credit of McDonald's skill as a writer. I am as enamored of his experiences as an adolescent in this volume as I was of Adam the young professional celloist in the final volume. How Adam gets from horny teen (Volume 1) to a long-term relationship whose monogamy is challenged (Volume 3) is to be explained in volume two. I'm all in.
Knowing what I now know, I long to be in the first quarter of my life, not in the last, and live in Anthony McDonald's world. Nine months ago I stumbled across Adam's Star, the third book in McDonald's Adam Trilogy. I enjoyed it a lot, but felt it read too much like a gay soap opera (read the review, if you care too). Looking for another work of gay fiction that didn't fall within the m/m romance genre, I recalled that book and decided to go back and look at McDonald's first in this series and that led me to Adam's "sensuous coming of age tale." "Sensuous" is a bit of an understatement. I've now queued up to read Blue Sky Adam (Volume 2) and, while not in chronological order, I look forward to finishing this trilogy.
McDonald's prose in volume one and three is quite consistently poetic and beautiful. As a writer he reminds me of André Aciman. I anticipate the middle tome will be no different. While "McDonald" isn't at all a French name, he draws deeply from French culture of which he seems intimately familiar and the story is set mostly in France. I somehow imagine that McDonald is a fan of the 18th Century's French philosophe, Jean Jacques Rousseau. Nature is a major focus in McDonald's writing. His story-telling is full of vivid lyrical descriptions of the natural world, both the scenic, as well as the myriad of creatures abound within it.
It is in this natural world that McDonald describes love between boys and men which he values just as normal, shall I say, as "natural" as those humans who also have sex for pleasure and occasionally procreate to propagate our species. In fact, the two protagonists of this story, sixteen year old Adam and twenty-two year old Sylvain, meet when Adam literally drops from a tree he's climbed onto a wooded path and greets Sylvain strolling along it. Only moments later they experience their first acts of intimacy. For a great deal of this book the two of them have a lot of sex out among the birds, the flowers, the forest and the trees in the midst of nature. McDonald's confluence of gay sex "in harmony" with nature is not lost. As teenage Adam struggles with accepting himself, deals with the rage of his hormones, and negotiates his psychological safety in a straight and prejudicial world, I definitely intimately related to having been there (or close), done that (or similar) myself. Evidently so does many, many other people who've read this book which is why it's considered a classic of gay literature.
I will guess because cell phones, not smart though, and other references, Adam is a millennial and the period time is early 21st century. I, myself am a baby-boomer so "coming out" was a very different thing when I was sixteen. Even so with Sylvain, Adam's secret lover who is six years his senior. (There is currently no statutory rape laws in France). Adam is also surrounded by group of friends his own age both in England and then in France when his father's job relocates the family to a rural area outside Paris where he meets Sylvain. They are all male with the exclusion of one, and all gay or "questioning" with the exclusion of one which seemed a bit contrived. And... the boys all have sex with Adam and some with each other and are knowledgeable of all these various trysts. They are also all much pretty o.k. with it. There's astonishingly little jealousy or rivalry between them. Mostly just a matter-of-fact acceptance that love need not always be connected to the sex act. "What is the nature of love in all its many forms?" seems to be the subject that McDonald wants to explore.
This is my major criticism of the novel. Even in enlightened Europe in the new century, have the younger generations among us gone so far in rejecting the Victorian values laid upon them by previous generations? Some teens, some times, may experience some casual sex, but McDonald seems to just take it all a "shag too far." There's even a scene where recovering from the first severe hang-over of his life, worried that his "adult" lover may have actually kidnapped him, Adam can't control his urges and gropes a boy fourteen years old boy who happens upon him. He actually succeeds ultimately in exciting the young boy to orgasm without even touching him! At first, I was quite put off by this scene. It seemed completely out of context for the given circumstances in which Adam found himself. Alternatively, however, even in sexually uptight America it's true experimentation between adolescents is generally accepted up to a certain age. Maybe I'm naïve and McDonald has it right? Many, many times these boys find release without any overt stimulation. It's spontaneous orgasm. Merely physically pressing their bodies against one another produces the intended result. These encounters seem to be a daily occurrence with Adam et.al. and just defy believability. Still Adam's story has captivated me to the credit of McDonald's skill as a writer. I am as enamored of his experiences as an adolescent in this volume as I was of Adam the young professional celloist in the final volume. How Adam gets from horny teen (Volume 1) to a long-term relationship whose monogamy is challenged (Volume 3) is to be explained in volume two. I'm all in.
July 12, 2025
This is a book of two halves (obviously!). The first half was an easy five stars. It came as such as a refreshing change after several of the gay books I've read recently which I have found ugly or boring. Maybe one of the reasons for the lack of ugliness here is the fact that, while set in relatively modern times, it is set in rural locations and before mobile phones had become the norm, so in many respects it has a rather escapist and timeless quality to it.
The first half of the book had the atmosphere of a summer idyll, all beauty and charm and plenty of love, romance, excitement, and sex. Perfect reading for a summer's day while swinging in a hammock in a shade of an apple tree.
I thought all the sexual and intimate scenes were done really well. Firstly there were plenty of them, starting practically at page one, with never any long intervals between. Secondly, and more importantly, they were all presented very simply. Some authors strive for variety and it's like each scene has to try to outdo the ones which have gone before and they end up trying to write something which sounds more and more exciting and graphic but in reality just sounds confused and hard to follow - unimaginable - and so the reader grows detached. But McDonald keeps it all to easily imaginable basics, and that makes it more powerful - more tender, more intimate, more fun, more easy to place yourself in the characters' shoes. Some reviewers think there is too much sex, that Adam is too promiscuous, but I think that, while it may be immoral, there is a certain sweetness and innocency about it all which I find appealing, all these horny teenagers feeling comfortable and uninhibited enough around each other to just have fun trying things out. Can we really blame all these hormonal adolescents for giving way so easily to their urges when presented with the opportunity?
I think some people miss the blend of humour and irony and sadness at the predicament Adam finds himself in, being loved and lusted over by three different people (at least), each of whom mean a great deal to him and hold different places in his life. They're all united in him and he's in a rather impossible predicament emotionally, loving them all in different (or similar) ways, not wanting to hurt any of them, not wanting to lose any of them, not wanting to give up what he has with any of them. Everyone just has to make the most of it - which they do their best to, getting what they can when they can and while they can, knowing that things can't stay the same forever.
The second half of the book changes things somewhat. The perfect dream-like summery idyllic quality dissipates as circumstances change and complications set in and things get darker. We no longer want to be in the shoes of either Adam or of any of his friends. Life is no longer the fun and easy no-consequence carefree thing that it was. Adam and his friends all face challenges of not knowing what to do for the best.
The situation with the fourteen-year-old felt rather problematic, Adam's sexual appetite seeming to have no moral bounds at all.
It's a book without any happy endings for anyone, though with promise for the future. I've now ordered the next book in the series. I feel like I need to see things progress to a more satisfying stage - though in a way it feels a pity that we can't go back in time and they can't stay young and carefree forever.
The first half of the book had the atmosphere of a summer idyll, all beauty and charm and plenty of love, romance, excitement, and sex. Perfect reading for a summer's day while swinging in a hammock in a shade of an apple tree.
I thought all the sexual and intimate scenes were done really well. Firstly there were plenty of them, starting practically at page one, with never any long intervals between. Secondly, and more importantly, they were all presented very simply. Some authors strive for variety and it's like each scene has to try to outdo the ones which have gone before and they end up trying to write something which sounds more and more exciting and graphic but in reality just sounds confused and hard to follow - unimaginable - and so the reader grows detached. But McDonald keeps it all to easily imaginable basics, and that makes it more powerful - more tender, more intimate, more fun, more easy to place yourself in the characters' shoes. Some reviewers think there is too much sex, that Adam is too promiscuous, but I think that, while it may be immoral, there is a certain sweetness and innocency about it all which I find appealing, all these horny teenagers feeling comfortable and uninhibited enough around each other to just have fun trying things out. Can we really blame all these hormonal adolescents for giving way so easily to their urges when presented with the opportunity?
I think some people miss the blend of humour and irony and sadness at the predicament Adam finds himself in, being loved and lusted over by three different people (at least), each of whom mean a great deal to him and hold different places in his life. They're all united in him and he's in a rather impossible predicament emotionally, loving them all in different (or similar) ways, not wanting to hurt any of them, not wanting to lose any of them, not wanting to give up what he has with any of them. Everyone just has to make the most of it - which they do their best to, getting what they can when they can and while they can, knowing that things can't stay the same forever.
The second half of the book changes things somewhat. The perfect dream-like summery idyllic quality dissipates as circumstances change and complications set in and things get darker. We no longer want to be in the shoes of either Adam or of any of his friends. Life is no longer the fun and easy no-consequence carefree thing that it was. Adam and his friends all face challenges of not knowing what to do for the best.
The situation with the fourteen-year-old felt rather problematic, Adam's sexual appetite seeming to have no moral bounds at all.
It's a book without any happy endings for anyone, though with promise for the future. I've now ordered the next book in the series. I feel like I need to see things progress to a more satisfying stage - though in a way it feels a pity that we can't go back in time and they can't stay young and carefree forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2022
The teenage years carry children into adulthood in the way a slow-burning fire destroys a log. Parts of the process glow brightly, other parts smolder and anguish. Each of us travels the road only once and each of us makes the journey along a road never traveled by anyone else. As sexuality grows in our bodies, we confront forces bewildering yet wonderful; forces that fill us with wonder while also filling us with hunger we cannot assuage. Those of us who also must confront confusion about our budding sexualities struggle even more than others who understand full well our interests in members of the opposite gender.
Few authors really capture this difficult passage as skillfully as McDonald does in this book. He understands the intensity of every teenage emotion, the desperation teenagers feel as they long for someone outside their own families. I do not believe that too many authors, if any, capably describe this growing phase when trying to portray characters not of their own gender. Most writers of gay fiction are female as are most readers of it. They understand well the longings of teenagers of their own gender but can only guess at the feeling of those of the opposite gender. Because McDonald is male and writes about male characters, he brings a tone of authenticity to the struggles he fictionalizes.
This is a simply wonderful book. I am sorry it waited so long on my bookshelves before I got around to reading it. I am not going to waste time before reading the next two. These characters have made me fall in love with them and I need to know what happens next in their lives.
Few authors really capture this difficult passage as skillfully as McDonald does in this book. He understands the intensity of every teenage emotion, the desperation teenagers feel as they long for someone outside their own families. I do not believe that too many authors, if any, capably describe this growing phase when trying to portray characters not of their own gender. Most writers of gay fiction are female as are most readers of it. They understand well the longings of teenagers of their own gender but can only guess at the feeling of those of the opposite gender. Because McDonald is male and writes about male characters, he brings a tone of authenticity to the struggles he fictionalizes.
This is a simply wonderful book. I am sorry it waited so long on my bookshelves before I got around to reading it. I am not going to waste time before reading the next two. These characters have made me fall in love with them and I need to know what happens next in their lives.
January 23, 2022
Beautiful!
Man this was so well written and such an awesome story. I feel like I actually got a peek into a teenage boy's mind.... Its a little disturbing in there 😂 but oh so interesting as well.
Man this was so well written and such an awesome story. I feel like I actually got a peek into a teenage boy's mind.... Its a little disturbing in there 😂 but oh so interesting as well.
April 20, 2022
Lyrical, beautiful writing. It will have you wanting to visit the French countryside. I hope that Sylvain will get a happier ending. Adam will be okay. This is a memorable book and is true escapist literature.
August 6, 2017
I enjoyed the book ......well written and evocative of place (rural France) and adolescent discovery.
March 21, 2018
Well written book.
The story and characters development was very good. An easy read that has a sense of reality. At times it stretched beyond reality.
The story and characters development was very good. An easy read that has a sense of reality. At times it stretched beyond reality.
July 21, 2019
Interesting take on teenage gay romance.
On the entirety, this was a rather disjointed story. The ending could have included a bit more on Sylvain’s side of the story.
On the entirety, this was a rather disjointed story. The ending could have included a bit more on Sylvain’s side of the story.
July 22, 2013
3.25 Stars
This was really difficult for me to rate. I liked it, it was well written, but way too wordy. It was distractingly wordy. I found myself scanning and skipping a lot of material to get to the story.
Adam was really confusing. He's a 16 year old boy. He excels at everything he does. He's articulate, talented, intelligent and lives an extremely privileged life. He meets an obviously, mentally unstable man (who is constantly referred to as a boy) and develops a sexual and emotional relationship with him. What sane man exposes himself to a child? Even a 16 year old would know this is inappropriate. The guy is disheveled and not too bright. He was 21 at the time, but he was a grown man. I would run like hell. At least run like hell after he fucks you into the ground hard enough to break your teeth. How does anyone confuse that with rape? The guy fucking raped him!!!
Then, I thought...when I was 15, I was conned by an older man that he loved me more than anyone, I also believed that he was my world and he was the one and only. A person that young might be needy enough to believe it.
Adam said how much he loved Sylvain then had sex with 2 friends, repeatedly, over a short holiday. I was incensed. How did this innocent kid turn into such a slut? Then I remembered...he is 16 years old, newly sexually active, confused and his hormones are running wild. There's no chance of pregnancy and (possibly) no disease...I say...GO FOR IT!
Then completely out of the blue, Sylvain kidnaps Adam when he is supposed to go home. Adam is a victim (seemingly willing) with a full-blown case of Stockholm Syndrome. I realize that Sylvain was totally obsessed and I was really uncomfortable with him from the beginning, but to me, it did come out of left-field. There was too much black-out time after Adam was recovered...in my opinion.
This is one of those stories that I think would have benefitted from a dual-POV...even minimally so. I would have liked to have seen Sylvain's mental illness mentioned. I would have liked a little glimpse of his thought process and obsession with Adam and his mental decline when he stopped his meds. I know this was a book about the 16 year old Adam, but it would have been helpful for a reader to understand a little perspective into what was going on with Sylvain.
I guess my problem with issues in books such as mental illness, self-injury, sexual/physical/emotional abuse, suicide, etc, is they are very serious issues and should not be skated over. It's a real problem in our society. People are suffering every day from these issues and most people are privileged enough not to have to go through them. Maybe I take them too seriously.
Anthony McDonald is a fabulous writer, it was just my feelings on the subject matter that I had a difficult time with.
This was really difficult for me to rate. I liked it, it was well written, but way too wordy. It was distractingly wordy. I found myself scanning and skipping a lot of material to get to the story.
Adam was really confusing. He's a 16 year old boy. He excels at everything he does. He's articulate, talented, intelligent and lives an extremely privileged life. He meets an obviously, mentally unstable man (who is constantly referred to as a boy) and develops a sexual and emotional relationship with him. What sane man exposes himself to a child? Even a 16 year old would know this is inappropriate. The guy is disheveled and not too bright. He was 21 at the time, but he was a grown man. I would run like hell. At least run like hell after he fucks you into the ground hard enough to break your teeth. How does anyone confuse that with rape? The guy fucking raped him!!!
Then, I thought...when I was 15, I was conned by an older man that he loved me more than anyone, I also believed that he was my world and he was the one and only. A person that young might be needy enough to believe it.
Adam said how much he loved Sylvain then had sex with 2 friends, repeatedly, over a short holiday. I was incensed. How did this innocent kid turn into such a slut? Then I remembered...he is 16 years old, newly sexually active, confused and his hormones are running wild. There's no chance of pregnancy and (possibly) no disease...I say...GO FOR IT!
Then completely out of the blue, Sylvain kidnaps Adam when he is supposed to go home. Adam is a victim (seemingly willing) with a full-blown case of Stockholm Syndrome. I realize that Sylvain was totally obsessed and I was really uncomfortable with him from the beginning, but to me, it did come out of left-field. There was too much black-out time after Adam was recovered...in my opinion.
This is one of those stories that I think would have benefitted from a dual-POV...even minimally so. I would have liked to have seen Sylvain's mental illness mentioned. I would have liked a little glimpse of his thought process and obsession with Adam and his mental decline when he stopped his meds. I know this was a book about the 16 year old Adam, but it would have been helpful for a reader to understand a little perspective into what was going on with Sylvain.
I guess my problem with issues in books such as mental illness, self-injury, sexual/physical/emotional abuse, suicide, etc, is they are very serious issues and should not be skated over. It's a real problem in our society. People are suffering every day from these issues and most people are privileged enough not to have to go through them. Maybe I take them too seriously.
Anthony McDonald is a fabulous writer, it was just my feelings on the subject matter that I had a difficult time with.
December 16, 2025
Anthony MacDonald offers a compelling exploration of adolescence and the quest for identity, particularly through the lens of a young gay protagonist. The narrative follows Adam as he navigates the complexities of his teenage life, touching on themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the often tumultuous journey toward maturity. MacDonald’s writing is poignant and evocative, capturing the nuances of emotions that come with growing up and coming to terms with one’s sexuality.
One of the strengths of the novel is its authentic portrayal of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Adam’s struggles with his identity feel genuine and relatable, allowing readers to empathize deeply with his journey. The depiction of familial and social pressures adds further depth, enriching the narrative with layers of complexity that resonate especially with those in the LGBTQ+ community.
However, the pacing of the novel occasionally falters, leading to moments that feel drawn out. Certain plot developments lack the urgency needed to maintain engagement, and this affects the overall flow. Additionally, while Adam is well-developed, some supporting characters do not receive enough attention, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete. This oversight diminishes the impact of their relationships with Adam and ultimately the story as a whole.
This novel is a thoughtful examination of teenage struggles, self-identity, and the specific nuances of being a gay teenager. Despite its pacing issues and underdeveloped characters, the emotional weight of the narrative shines through. Readers interested in coming-of-age stories, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community, will find value in this novel, even if it doesn't fully reach its potential.
One of the strengths of the novel is its authentic portrayal of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Adam’s struggles with his identity feel genuine and relatable, allowing readers to empathize deeply with his journey. The depiction of familial and social pressures adds further depth, enriching the narrative with layers of complexity that resonate especially with those in the LGBTQ+ community.
However, the pacing of the novel occasionally falters, leading to moments that feel drawn out. Certain plot developments lack the urgency needed to maintain engagement, and this affects the overall flow. Additionally, while Adam is well-developed, some supporting characters do not receive enough attention, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete. This oversight diminishes the impact of their relationships with Adam and ultimately the story as a whole.
This novel is a thoughtful examination of teenage struggles, self-identity, and the specific nuances of being a gay teenager. Despite its pacing issues and underdeveloped characters, the emotional weight of the narrative shines through. Readers interested in coming-of-age stories, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community, will find value in this novel, even if it doesn't fully reach its potential.
September 22, 2014
Written in a 'literature' style rather than the more 'pulp fiction' style of most books with a gay theme. I have seen other reviews that criticise this as being 'too wordy.' Personally I rather enjoyed having to pay attention to what I was reading and grab the dictionary on occasion. The more formal use of language and idyllic rural French countryside setting give the book a historic or at least a timeless feel. It is only the mention of email, that allowed me to place the novel into a late 20th/early 21st century time frame. I do get tired of what I call 'porn-with-a-plot-line' type gay novels, but I thought McDonald could have maybe given us an extra sentence of explicit sex activity at some points in the book; Adam's sexual activities are after all major plot and theme points in the book. Adam is a novel about a 16-year-old gay teenager exploring his sexuality using adult, intelligent and occasionally explicit sexual language and not the G-rated language of a YA novel or the XXX-rated trash of a 'one-handed-reading' porn story. This is not the best book I have ever read, but given some of the books I have rated 3 or 4-stars, I just had to give this one a 5-star rating.
March 4, 2011
This is a fast read and kept me interested, but ulimately the plot was somewhat off-putting. The central romance is a little odd -- a 16-year-old boy and a 23-year-old with the apparent mental age of 14 -- so I found it hard to feel invested in it. Adam's bed-hopping didn't help, even if this fickleness is authentic teenage-boy behaviour.
It seems like everyone Adam meets is gay, which is slightly unbelievable, as well as the fact that three different boys declare their love for him. Um why? He's not that interesting. And since when do boys throw the "l" word (love, not lesbian) around like that?
It seems like everyone Adam meets is gay, which is slightly unbelievable, as well as the fact that three different boys declare their love for him. Um why? He's not that interesting. And since when do boys throw the "l" word (love, not lesbian) around like that?
May 7, 2013
What an odd and fascinating book. Adam's relationship with Sylvain was crazy and inappropriate and I wasn't sure exactly who was the teenager and who was the adult at times. I did enjoy Gary's talks with Adam where he tried to make the teen see that he was behaving recklessly. There's a lot of wanking going on here (which, I guess makes sense when you're dealing with a sixteen-year-old boy and his male friends), I found the constant descriptions of this a little tiresome. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series where Adam is in his early twenties.
December 31, 2020
I’ve given this 4 stars for the beautiful writing, characterizations and well crafted story line. His descriptions of place are extraordinary. However there is too much explicit sex for my taste and therefore not 5 stars. This is the first book of a trilogy and this review is the same for the next two books - Blue Sky Adam and Adam’s Star.
September 4, 2013
I had to put this one down. I liked the characters, but I don't think I like where this is going. I may be getting tired of book series where the heroes challenge is his lover. Also, there seemed to be so much extraneous to this story that I found myself skipping ahead to get the real plot.
August 18, 2013
It took me a while to get used to the formal style but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
The characters and plot are fairly two-dimensional but its never boring.
As far as sex is concerned, it's all very restrained; there's little to embarrass your grandmother.
The characters and plot are fairly two-dimensional but its never boring.
As far as sex is concerned, it's all very restrained; there's little to embarrass your grandmother.
January 16, 2016
I really like this book in terms of setting, characters and storyline.
Not sure if it would be realistic but still quite enjoyable.
It was different than the typical us high school drama and all
Goodread :-)
December 5, 2022
First read October 2003.
Re-read August 2009.
Re-read August 2009.
November 28, 2011
Very well written - Great plot if a little difficult to appreciate the cultural antagonisms - Can't wait to read the sequel.
February 7, 2014
Read this book when I was 16. Completely connected with it. A fabulous read.
June 5, 2014
I thought it was beautifully written, but the descriptions of Adam's lover were really off-putting, sounding patronizing and making fun of his poverty and dark skin.
October 3, 2014
Cannot get enough of this author!!
May 18, 2016
Really liked it. Can't wait to read the sequel.
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