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username: 7mark8
Recently separated from his wife, a closeted man (username: 7mark8) discovers blogging to be a therapeutic outlet for his awkward and often comical homosexual shenanigans. His eroticism and unassuming candor attract quite an online following, and as more personal questions and information about his life and his children surface, he’ll discover friends, critics, and a heap of both good and bad advice.
But the last thing 7mark8 expects to find are cult-like followers who appear to be pushing him into a relationship with a charismatic but spiritual man. As he struggles to accept responsibility for his children along with his passion for men, his blog suddenly becomes a minefield of debate—but it will also become a source of strength as he learns to stand up for himself and his lifestyle.
But the last thing 7mark8 expects to find are cult-like followers who appear to be pushing him into a relationship with a charismatic but spiritual man. As he struggles to accept responsibility for his children along with his passion for men, his blog suddenly becomes a minefield of debate—but it will also become a source of strength as he learns to stand up for himself and his lifestyle.
- GenresM M RomanceMystery
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2010
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2010
2.5 stars rounded up
Username: 7mark8 takes a usual approach to storytelling. Utilizing today’s heavy blog reading as the basis, this novel is entirely in blog format. Each entry is a blog by the author, 7mark8 and they range from sexual encounters to personal trials, even new relationships and problems in friendships. The blogs are then followed by comments from the various readers. This reads exactly like a blog that’s simply been put together and published. So in some ways those readers that are devoted to blogs may like the style while others may find the downside to blogging, it’s sometimes boring and dry.
Since the style is entirely blog posts and comments, there is none of the traditional development to storytelling. All of the characters mentioned, especially the main character of Mark, are always biased and mysterious. Mark is only available to the reader through the lens of what he’s willing to reveal and say. Many of the initial blog posts are entirely sexual and meant to show one night hook ups and erotic sex acts. These are supposed to be hot, sexy, titillating and appeal to the voyeuristic reader that loves to hear about someone else’s sexual exploits. They offer very little insight into Mark and his various friends and hookups.
These open the blog/novel and serve for a two fold purpose. They’re meant to entice the reader to keep reading blog post after blog post to get to the more meaningful posts later and also to give a high erotic quotient to the novel, something lost later when Mark gets a boyfriend. For some this will definitely entice them to want to read more while others may find this somewhat dull. I was caught in the middle between interested and bored. As with all blogs, the writing can be dry and often try too hard to keep readers interested. Especially when reading all the entries at once, back to back as presented here. Yet the blogs do contain some humor and there is no shortage of sex at the start.
As the blog posts progress, Mark opens up about his situation. He’s currently separated from his wife and four kids, of which only two are actually biologically his. Mark has always been gay but he let himself get involved with his wife due to his extreme passive aggressive nature. Now Mark is finally out of the closet and indulging in gratuitous sex and one night stands. So his blog posts start with that and eventually reveal his horrible, verbally abusive relationship with his wife, Mark’s inability to take the appropriate steps to end that marriage and deal with the legal ramifications. Keep in mind as well, all of the blog posts are presented from Mark’s biased viewpoint so the story is very clearly slanted.
Mark’s journey is not so much a maturity though presumably he does mature as he goes from one night stands to an eventual committed relationship. Instead it’s more of a chronicle of his time. Some of his experiences are interesting while others are so filled with missing details and information they are simply rants and calls for attention. The comments to the blog posts tend to be heavily supportive and add next to nothing to the story. They increase in length as the story goes and simply offer the same point through a different voice. Again as with anything, some are interesting, some are redundant, and some are worthless. So you can see the entire novel reads like a blog would with good and bad points.
The concept of using a blog as a novel is different and can lend a false intimacy. You come away thinking you know the person until you realize how much information and context is left out. There is no supporting cast except those offered from Mark as friends, annoyances, lovers, and problems. Again, the question remains is any of it real or merely Mark’s view? The story is told as a progression of a man’s life and those that enjoy blogs may like this offering. It has humor, sex, anger, love, hope, despair, fear, and the whole range of emotions that are exposed when someone pours a very small part of them into the anonymous internet. It’s flawed of course but that’s to be expected. The themes of the blog are very repetitive and can alternate between interesting posts with very boring ones but again, that’s the nature of blogs. This is not a blog I’d return to but I was happy to see Mark finally get a happy ending.
Username: 7mark8 takes a usual approach to storytelling. Utilizing today’s heavy blog reading as the basis, this novel is entirely in blog format. Each entry is a blog by the author, 7mark8 and they range from sexual encounters to personal trials, even new relationships and problems in friendships. The blogs are then followed by comments from the various readers. This reads exactly like a blog that’s simply been put together and published. So in some ways those readers that are devoted to blogs may like the style while others may find the downside to blogging, it’s sometimes boring and dry.
Since the style is entirely blog posts and comments, there is none of the traditional development to storytelling. All of the characters mentioned, especially the main character of Mark, are always biased and mysterious. Mark is only available to the reader through the lens of what he’s willing to reveal and say. Many of the initial blog posts are entirely sexual and meant to show one night hook ups and erotic sex acts. These are supposed to be hot, sexy, titillating and appeal to the voyeuristic reader that loves to hear about someone else’s sexual exploits. They offer very little insight into Mark and his various friends and hookups.
These open the blog/novel and serve for a two fold purpose. They’re meant to entice the reader to keep reading blog post after blog post to get to the more meaningful posts later and also to give a high erotic quotient to the novel, something lost later when Mark gets a boyfriend. For some this will definitely entice them to want to read more while others may find this somewhat dull. I was caught in the middle between interested and bored. As with all blogs, the writing can be dry and often try too hard to keep readers interested. Especially when reading all the entries at once, back to back as presented here. Yet the blogs do contain some humor and there is no shortage of sex at the start.
As the blog posts progress, Mark opens up about his situation. He’s currently separated from his wife and four kids, of which only two are actually biologically his. Mark has always been gay but he let himself get involved with his wife due to his extreme passive aggressive nature. Now Mark is finally out of the closet and indulging in gratuitous sex and one night stands. So his blog posts start with that and eventually reveal his horrible, verbally abusive relationship with his wife, Mark’s inability to take the appropriate steps to end that marriage and deal with the legal ramifications. Keep in mind as well, all of the blog posts are presented from Mark’s biased viewpoint so the story is very clearly slanted.
Mark’s journey is not so much a maturity though presumably he does mature as he goes from one night stands to an eventual committed relationship. Instead it’s more of a chronicle of his time. Some of his experiences are interesting while others are so filled with missing details and information they are simply rants and calls for attention. The comments to the blog posts tend to be heavily supportive and add next to nothing to the story. They increase in length as the story goes and simply offer the same point through a different voice. Again as with anything, some are interesting, some are redundant, and some are worthless. So you can see the entire novel reads like a blog would with good and bad points.
The concept of using a blog as a novel is different and can lend a false intimacy. You come away thinking you know the person until you realize how much information and context is left out. There is no supporting cast except those offered from Mark as friends, annoyances, lovers, and problems. Again, the question remains is any of it real or merely Mark’s view? The story is told as a progression of a man’s life and those that enjoy blogs may like this offering. It has humor, sex, anger, love, hope, despair, fear, and the whole range of emotions that are exposed when someone pours a very small part of them into the anonymous internet. It’s flawed of course but that’s to be expected. The themes of the blog are very repetitive and can alternate between interesting posts with very boring ones but again, that’s the nature of blogs. This is not a blog I’d return to but I was happy to see Mark finally get a happy ending.
November 14, 2014
"username: 7Mark8" is a novel written entirely in a blog format in the voice of the main character, Mark, a 42 year old father of four, who is in the process of divorce and learning about himself. The first half of the story is Mark blogging about various sexual encounters - he is a kid in a candy store since he spent his young adult life in a heterosexual marriage to a manipulative shrew - he's putting it out there into the relative anonymity of the blogosphere and receiving kudos or advice from men who become his regular followers - although obviously from a gay perspective,these encounters are somewhat reminiscent of the type sent by Penthouse readers regarding their assorted trysts and conquests. However, it is through the blogs we start to get a bead on Mark - his personality, self doubts, sexual exploration/bravado,and genuine love for his children (a couple of which are not actually his) while a community of blog followers offer their input and encouragement.
In reading the novel, I often found myself irritated by Mark's situation in dissolving his marriage - I wanted him to get legal help and stop getting sucked in or sucker punched by the drama. I also thought in terms of novel length, the trick encounters didn't need to go on as long as it did; however, the second half redeemed the story for me since Mark finally becomes an adult. The format as previously stated is written entirely as a blog, so it can be a negative strike for some readers, but the underlying story of a man's journey from putz to mensch is amusing,thoughtful,and thought-provoking. I believe Nick Hanson did a fine job finding the different voices for the various loyal blog followers commenting on Mark's situation or questions. Also, it is the writer's first novel, so it is not going to be perfect; but hopefully he'll continue to hone his skills and write other inventive stories.
In reading the novel, I often found myself irritated by Mark's situation in dissolving his marriage - I wanted him to get legal help and stop getting sucked in or sucker punched by the drama. I also thought in terms of novel length, the trick encounters didn't need to go on as long as it did; however, the second half redeemed the story for me since Mark finally becomes an adult. The format as previously stated is written entirely as a blog, so it can be a negative strike for some readers, but the underlying story of a man's journey from putz to mensch is amusing,thoughtful,and thought-provoking. I believe Nick Hanson did a fine job finding the different voices for the various loyal blog followers commenting on Mark's situation or questions. Also, it is the writer's first novel, so it is not going to be perfect; but hopefully he'll continue to hone his skills and write other inventive stories.
January 8, 2011
Kathy’s Review:
username: 7mark8 by Nick Hanson is a novel that is written completely in blog format. The author of the blog, Mark, aka 7mark8, details the current events in his life as a blog entry which are then followed by comments from the various readers of his blog, and Mark’s responses to their comments.
Mark’s blog is an interesting journey that details his contentious relationship with his estranged wife, his various sexual exploits and encounters, friendships, and ultimately a new relationship. The blog entries reveal the manipulative behavior and verbal abuse that Mark suffers at the hands of his estranged wife as well as Mark’s inability to move forward with their divorce. Mark revels in his newfound sexual freedom as he indulges in many casual one night stands with men he picks up in bars, meets on line, and his various “friends with benefits”. The blog posts become more meaningful as Mark forms friendships with some of his blog readers, and casual sex gives way to a committed relationship.
Mark is a likeable and sympathetic character, but his reluctance to seek legal assistance with his divorce and custody issues is frustrating. Some of the blog comments tend to become a little lengthy and repetitive on occasion but overall, they are insightful and thought provoking, and they provide added depth to the novel. Mark’s relationship with Mike brings much needed peace and stability to his life, and he begins to take the necessary steps to end his marriage and move on with his life.
username: 7mark8 is a compelling story and Nick Hanson brings Mark vividly to life. I highly recommend this unique and entertaining novel.
Rated 4 Ravens by Kathy!
username: 7mark8 by Nick Hanson is a novel that is written completely in blog format. The author of the blog, Mark, aka 7mark8, details the current events in his life as a blog entry which are then followed by comments from the various readers of his blog, and Mark’s responses to their comments.
Mark’s blog is an interesting journey that details his contentious relationship with his estranged wife, his various sexual exploits and encounters, friendships, and ultimately a new relationship. The blog entries reveal the manipulative behavior and verbal abuse that Mark suffers at the hands of his estranged wife as well as Mark’s inability to move forward with their divorce. Mark revels in his newfound sexual freedom as he indulges in many casual one night stands with men he picks up in bars, meets on line, and his various “friends with benefits”. The blog posts become more meaningful as Mark forms friendships with some of his blog readers, and casual sex gives way to a committed relationship.
Mark is a likeable and sympathetic character, but his reluctance to seek legal assistance with his divorce and custody issues is frustrating. Some of the blog comments tend to become a little lengthy and repetitive on occasion but overall, they are insightful and thought provoking, and they provide added depth to the novel. Mark’s relationship with Mike brings much needed peace and stability to his life, and he begins to take the necessary steps to end his marriage and move on with his life.
username: 7mark8 is a compelling story and Nick Hanson brings Mark vividly to life. I highly recommend this unique and entertaining novel.
Rated 4 Ravens by Kathy!
October 4, 2011
Too be fair, I'll probably try rereading this one at a later date now that I know what I'm getting into. From what I read, it sounded interesting about Marks coming out and starting his blog. It's just a really long book. One that shouldn't be rushed.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews