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The Perils of Praline #1
The Perils of Praline
When he falls in love with a contestant on a reality TV show, Peter "Praline" Palmetier decides to leave his home in rural Georgia and, failing to realize this might be considered stalking, travels to Hollywood to find his soul mate, Dave G. Once in tinsel-town he meets a collection of startling, and often horny, characters in his quest. They include a studly steward, a conservative talk show host, the Godfather of the Gay Mafia, and casting assistant Jason Friedman, who always manages to be there in time to save Praline from total disaster. Will Praline find love with the illusive Dave G., or will he recognize the charms of appealing but untelegenic Jason?
220 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
33 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Marshall Thornton
56 books627 followersThree-time Lambda Award-winning author, Marshall Thornton is best known for the Boystown and Pinx Video mystery series. Other novels include the erotic comedy The Perils of Praline, or the Amorous Adventures of a Southern Gentleman in Hollywood, Desert Run and Full Release. Marshall has an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA, where he received the Carl David Memorial Fellowship and was recognized in the Samuel Goldwyn Writing awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 5, 2017
4,5 stars!
BR with Sofia, Rosa, Smith and Otila.
As I turned the last page of The Perils of Praline, I was sure that this book could cause only two kinds of reactions:
Number one:
or similar.
Number two:
or similar.
If you didn't guess my reaction, I'll help you- I'm on the second picture.
You have to be a regular reader of a gay fiction genre to pick up this book!
DON'T EVEN TRY TO TRY IT if you're a passionate FM-reader or a MM-reader with a lot of drama!!! Don't even go there!
Marshall Thornton's satire reminded me a little of the old Monty Python shows and the movies of ZAZ (Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker). He created a wonderful crazy-ass parody of the glamour world of Hollywood, US media, reality TV shows, gay porn industry, casting agencies, bizarre anchormen, celebrities and gave us the possibility to take a look at what goes on behind the scenes with an eye-winking charming irony.
As I've read in the foreword:
I KNEW, from this very moment - this book would be FUN! And I swear- IT WAS!!! Entertaining, sexy, funny, witty, with excellent written characters, doesn't matter if they play the main role in the story or the supporting one! But an unchallenged star, the number one in the story is Peter "Praline" Palmetier, a naive southerner,sweet and charming in his childish way of thinking, goes LA to find Dave G, a man of his dreams, a reality TV show star and marry him. Because:
But instead of stumbles from onedisaster adventure into another.
I can't remember when a book last time made me laugh so hard!
Marshall Thornton remains for me in the first place a master of a gay mystery genre. I can't say often enough how I love his Boystown series, and if I would have to chose my favourite book of this author, I'd decide myself for Boystown.
No doubt.
But he can write not only a great mystery, he is a talented comedy's writer and I ABSOLUTELY love this side of his writing. It's DIFFERENT but it's unique! And it's sooooooo Marshall Thornton!
Well...
If you're a bit tired of a heavy earnest and serious plot of your late mm-books...
If you appreciate a delightful sense of humour...
If you're looking for fun...
If you like good quotes-I quoted almost the half of the book!
If you are a fan of Marshal Thornton-Oh, God, you are not?! BUT WHY?!
If you want to laugh laud-I did, I scared people around me!
If you want something deliciously ridiculous and incredibly hilarious...
If you expect from your book to be entertaining and enjoyable....
WHY FOR GOD SAKE ARE YOU STILL WAITING WITH READING IT?!
P.S IT IS HAWT!!!
P.P.S It is brilliantly written, guys. Honestly. I quoted the half of the book and it belongs to one of the most quotable books on my TBR. Check my updates and quotes.
HIGHLY recommended!
BR with Sofia, Rosa, Smith and Otila.
As I turned the last page of The Perils of Praline, I was sure that this book could cause only two kinds of reactions:
Number one:
or similar.
Number two:
or similar.
If you didn't guess my reaction, I'll help you- I'm on the second picture.
You have to be a regular reader of a gay fiction genre to pick up this book!
DON'T EVEN TRY TO TRY IT if you're a passionate FM-reader or a MM-reader with a lot of drama!!! Don't even go there!
Marshall Thornton's satire reminded me a little of the old Monty Python shows and the movies of ZAZ (Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker). He created a wonderful crazy-ass parody of the glamour world of Hollywood, US media, reality TV shows, gay porn industry, casting agencies, bizarre anchormen, celebrities and gave us the possibility to take a look at what goes on behind the scenes with an eye-winking charming irony.
As I've read in the foreword:
A book of this nature requires extensive research; sadly, those with whom I've researched have asked to remain anonymous.
I KNEW, from this very moment - this book would be FUN! And I swear- IT WAS!!! Entertaining, sexy, funny, witty, with excellent written characters, doesn't matter if they play the main role in the story or the supporting one! But an unchallenged star, the number one in the story is Peter "Praline" Palmetier, a naive southerner,sweet and charming in his childish way of thinking, goes LA to find Dave G, a man of his dreams, a reality TV show star and marry him. Because:
Celebrity spouse was exactly the arena he could excel in; it required good looks, red-carpet skills and unwavering enthusiasm(both public and private). He was totally qualified.
But instead of stumbles from one
"You must be the adventurous type."
"I am!" replied Praline. "I am the adventurous type!" Though, until that very moment, he'd never thought of himself in exactly that way.
I can't remember when a book last time made me laugh so hard!
Marshall Thornton remains for me in the first place a master of a gay mystery genre. I can't say often enough how I love his Boystown series, and if I would have to chose my favourite book of this author, I'd decide myself for Boystown.
No doubt.
But he can write not only a great mystery, he is a talented comedy's writer and I ABSOLUTELY love this side of his writing. It's DIFFERENT but it's unique! And it's sooooooo Marshall Thornton!
Well...
If you're a bit tired of a heavy earnest and serious plot of your late mm-books...If you appreciate a delightful sense of humour...If you're looking for fun...If you like good quotes-I quoted almost the half of the book!If you are a fan of Marshal Thornton-Oh, God, you are not?! BUT WHY?!If you want to laugh laud-I did, I scared people around me!If you want something deliciously ridiculous and incredibly hilarious...If you expect from your book to be entertaining and enjoyable....WHY FOR GOD SAKE ARE YOU STILL WAITING WITH READING IT?!
P.S IT IS HAWT!!!
P.P.S It is brilliantly written, guys. Honestly. I quoted the half of the book and it belongs to one of the most quotable books on my TBR. Check my updates and quotes.
HIGHLY recommended!
February 10, 2014
lol ...whut
Diverting hysteria wrapped in a delicious crust of golden foolishness, baked up hot and fresh and oozing with pandemonium gravy.
Satire, or I'll eat my own slippers.
Diverting hysteria wrapped in a delicious crust of golden foolishness, baked up hot and fresh and oozing with pandemonium gravy.
Satire, or I'll eat my own slippers.
September 15, 2014
BR with my buddies (naturally) Sofia, Lena, Smith & Otila - thanks guys! <3
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Marshall Thornton’s Perils of Praline immediately put me in mind of a box of “erotic” novels I found at a garage sale as a teenager. To say it provided me with a profound education is the understatement of a lifetime; I’ll never forget those tales of horny housewives and traveling salesmen. Unlike those books, Thornton has written a sex romp that’s actually, you know, good. The main character Praline Palmetier is a sweetly naïve but sexually rambunctious young Southerner, searching for love, as well as possible stardom as a celebrity husband in Hollywood.
As much as I loved the ever-polite-even-in-midst-of-an-orgy Praline, it was the novels satire that had me laughing my ass off (which may not be as perky and globular as Praline’s, but I manage to persevere).
Thornton satirizes:
Hollywood: [Mama] listed the dangers [Praline] should avoid when he got to Hollywood, including, but not limited to: fad starvation diets, eco-terrorists, over-exposure to the sun, roving limousine liberals, felonious celebrities, Godless pagans, and, of course, the lay-about homeless living off the public dime.
Cable new hosts: Famous ones who work for Box Cable – if Thornton means BR, than he gets double points for awesomeness.
The religiously minded: "Mama, you believe in alien and spaceships." "Yes, but I believe in Jesus too. That makes it different."
Sexual harassment: “Basically, the way sexual harassment works is...the further up the ladder you are the more you get to do it.”
The porn industry: “You’ve read the script? Is it good?” “Gladiators Gone Wild? Sure, it’s great.”
Depression: Clayton: "…I’ve been depressed since the nineties." Praline: “Have you taken anything for it?” Clayton: "Sure. Crack, ecstasy, LSD, methamphetamine, Special K, alcohol & marijuana. Nothing works, I’ve given up….I even tried religion. That was depressing."
Motherhood: "Praline, I brought you up better than that. The man has licked your asshole. The least you can do is say 'hey'."
Politics: “Citing the Pro-America “Aren’t We Great” Act [an allergy medication could be] used by terrorists seeking to undermine the virility of the American man [which] poses a significant danger to national security.
If I had any niggles with the novel it’s that although I loved the satire, Praline’s perpetual sweetness in the face of his constant perils did seem to drag a bit in the later part of the novel. However, with Perils of Praline, Marshall Thornton proves he can not only write compelling detective stories (Boystown) and breezy comedy-romance (The Ghost Slept Over), but also hilarious sex romps.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Marshall Thornton’s Perils of Praline immediately put me in mind of a box of “erotic” novels I found at a garage sale as a teenager. To say it provided me with a profound education is the understatement of a lifetime; I’ll never forget those tales of horny housewives and traveling salesmen. Unlike those books, Thornton has written a sex romp that’s actually, you know, good. The main character Praline Palmetier is a sweetly naïve but sexually rambunctious young Southerner, searching for love, as well as possible stardom as a celebrity husband in Hollywood.
As much as I loved the ever-polite-even-in-midst-of-an-orgy Praline, it was the novels satire that had me laughing my ass off (which may not be as perky and globular as Praline’s, but I manage to persevere).
Thornton satirizes:
Hollywood: [Mama] listed the dangers [Praline] should avoid when he got to Hollywood, including, but not limited to: fad starvation diets, eco-terrorists, over-exposure to the sun, roving limousine liberals, felonious celebrities, Godless pagans, and, of course, the lay-about homeless living off the public dime.
Cable new hosts: Famous ones who work for Box Cable – if Thornton means BR, than he gets double points for awesomeness.
The religiously minded: "Mama, you believe in alien and spaceships." "Yes, but I believe in Jesus too. That makes it different."
Sexual harassment: “Basically, the way sexual harassment works is...the further up the ladder you are the more you get to do it.”
The porn industry: “You’ve read the script? Is it good?” “Gladiators Gone Wild? Sure, it’s great.”
Depression: Clayton: "…I’ve been depressed since the nineties." Praline: “Have you taken anything for it?” Clayton: "Sure. Crack, ecstasy, LSD, methamphetamine, Special K, alcohol & marijuana. Nothing works, I’ve given up….I even tried religion. That was depressing."
Motherhood: "Praline, I brought you up better than that. The man has licked your asshole. The least you can do is say 'hey'."
Politics: “Citing the Pro-America “Aren’t We Great” Act [an allergy medication could be] used by terrorists seeking to undermine the virility of the American man [which] poses a significant danger to national security.
If I had any niggles with the novel it’s that although I loved the satire, Praline’s perpetual sweetness in the face of his constant perils did seem to drag a bit in the later part of the novel. However, with Perils of Praline, Marshall Thornton proves he can not only write compelling detective stories (Boystown) and breezy comedy-romance (The Ghost Slept Over), but also hilarious sex romps.
July 6, 2014
Well, what a hullabaloo that was. A chaotic exercise in American social satire that is at times very funny, until it's not.
This is truly a work of fiction without an ounce of realism in it at all, and that’s great, I love a bit of slapstick and satire. It’s a spoof of the American dream, the small town boy who goes to Hollywood to make his dreams come true. And for Praline it’s to find his one true love; reality TV star Dave G.
Praline is adorable, he is a gorgeous and naive, a stereotypical Southern boy with an amazing bubble butt who unfortunately was raised on second hand marijuana smoke and daytime soap operas …he hasn’t a clue, not socially or intellectually. He is not real, he is a caricature having an adventure in a parody of Hollywood that’s full of other little caricatures who Praline ends up having sex with for various reasons or, for no reason at all. Praline is the catalyst for all sorts of havoc and mayhem and his story leads from one absurd scenario to another and another, and then another … It’s nuts! But it’s fun and the satire is smart as the author has a proper go at Hollywood, TV programmes, agents, celebrities, socialites, designer branding and just about anything really, nothing and nobody is safe from the authors satirical whip.
If that was all the author was doing this would have been just great. But somehow; by combining the slapstick and satire with this much random and superfluous sex with multiple characters, the romantic aspect fails. The writing is too whimsical and too often it felt like I was reading a pornographic screenplay of The Perils of Praline’s Penis. I think the author had fun but the situation comedy was too prolonged and became too ridiculous. You know like when you first watched Dumb and Dumber and you laughed your arse off and then you get excited for the next one until you see the trailer and it’s just not funny anymore, it’s nauseatingly absurd? Well, this is how I felt about this one. Quirky and fun at the beginning but just plain stupid by the end. It would have worked better as a novella IMO.
This is truly a work of fiction without an ounce of realism in it at all, and that’s great, I love a bit of slapstick and satire. It’s a spoof of the American dream, the small town boy who goes to Hollywood to make his dreams come true. And for Praline it’s to find his one true love; reality TV star Dave G.
Praline is adorable, he is a gorgeous and naive, a stereotypical Southern boy with an amazing bubble butt who unfortunately was raised on second hand marijuana smoke and daytime soap operas …he hasn’t a clue, not socially or intellectually. He is not real, he is a caricature having an adventure in a parody of Hollywood that’s full of other little caricatures who Praline ends up having sex with for various reasons or, for no reason at all. Praline is the catalyst for all sorts of havoc and mayhem and his story leads from one absurd scenario to another and another, and then another … It’s nuts! But it’s fun and the satire is smart as the author has a proper go at Hollywood, TV programmes, agents, celebrities, socialites, designer branding and just about anything really, nothing and nobody is safe from the authors satirical whip.
If that was all the author was doing this would have been just great. But somehow; by combining the slapstick and satire with this much random and superfluous sex with multiple characters, the romantic aspect fails. The writing is too whimsical and too often it felt like I was reading a pornographic screenplay of The Perils of Praline’s Penis. I think the author had fun but the situation comedy was too prolonged and became too ridiculous. You know like when you first watched Dumb and Dumber and you laughed your arse off and then you get excited for the next one until you see the trailer and it’s just not funny anymore, it’s nauseatingly absurd? Well, this is how I felt about this one. Quirky and fun at the beginning but just plain stupid by the end. It would have worked better as a novella IMO.
August 4, 2014
So. The best thing about this. Clearly. Praline's booty-full-bubble-ass.
November 16, 2010
Meet Praline Palmetier. He’s just moved to California to follow his dream of becoming a same sex celebrity spouse and though he’s never met his soon to be husband, he’s already in love. Praline’s watched every episode of House Bound 6 and is desperately in love with Dave G. He’s determined to find the man of his dreams and he doesn’t let little things like becoming a prostitute, arson, bad safe words, attempted suicide, or a mother selling pot stand in his way. Praline’s certain the world will simply work out for him and amazingly enough, it always does.
Upon reading the first chapter of screenwriter and author Marshall Thornton’s newest offering, I knew this would be a humorous, outrageous trip. The story is definitely over the top, ridiculous, and meant to follow an alternate but familiar reality. There is no end of recognizable personalities and references from the initial Big Brother show, House Bound, to the various characters Praline meets and inevitably has sex with. This sly story is told tongue in cheek but with a great sense of comic timing and humor. You simply can’t take this story seriously but instead go into it wanting to laugh and willing to go where Praline and his over the top antics take you.
The story follows the intrepid hero from his decision to move to California and the following few days as he goes from innocent to pretty debauched. It’s very much a story told to the reader with sly winks from the narrator. It’s meant to be a narrative that you read rather than necessarily experience so this may not be a style that appeals to all readers. If you don’t mind being told a story and like an outrageous, laugh out loud romp, this should work for you. The narration is third person, past tense and filled with tons of humor. There are numerous laugh out loud moments and of course Praline gets into every conceivable situation from prostitution to media fame, gay bashing, and even hostage at gun point. He always manages to find some way out of trouble but you know that going in.
The pace is incredibly quick and the 200 pages flew by. The writing is very witty with enough laughs that keep you interested but the outrageous antics are always tempered by more moderate action and quick dialogue. Praline shines as an innocent, respectful Georgia boy who was taught the ten commandments from his pot growing mother who drills into him that lying is only ok if it’s to a cop, never use your real social security number, and always be polite to the man that sticks his tongue in your butt. Praline ends up having sex with nearly everyone in the book – after all it’s only polite to agree when asked. In fact the first real friend Praline makes refuses to have sex with him, leaving Praline to assume he’s at best a frenemy.
An example of the over the top writing and dialogue is below:
“No, I mean you like me?”
“I’ve only known you for one day,” Jason said. “Besides, aren’t you in love with someone?”
Praline didn’t see what that had to do with anything. “Well, yes, I am. But Dave G. and I don’t have an exclusive relationship. So, if you wanted to…”
Certainly after he and Dave G got married, bought that little house, furnished it, got their dogs, and who knows, maybe after a lot of talking and some parenting classes adopted a little Chinese girl, at that point perhaps Praline ought to settle down. But all that was a long way—
“Of course you don’t have an exclusive relationship. You’ve never met!” Jason screamed.
“Could you not yell at me?” Praline asked. “It’s been a really trying day.”
If you can take the story at face value for the entertainment and enjoyment, then Perils of Praline scores pretty high. It’s fun, humorous, and a wild romp with outrageous characters and ridiculous actions but that’s what makes it so absorbing and engaging. It’s a crazy whirlwind that is only eclipsed by the next even more ludicrous antic. Sit back and enjoy the humor without thinking too closely at the reasons.
Upon reading the first chapter of screenwriter and author Marshall Thornton’s newest offering, I knew this would be a humorous, outrageous trip. The story is definitely over the top, ridiculous, and meant to follow an alternate but familiar reality. There is no end of recognizable personalities and references from the initial Big Brother show, House Bound, to the various characters Praline meets and inevitably has sex with. This sly story is told tongue in cheek but with a great sense of comic timing and humor. You simply can’t take this story seriously but instead go into it wanting to laugh and willing to go where Praline and his over the top antics take you.
The story follows the intrepid hero from his decision to move to California and the following few days as he goes from innocent to pretty debauched. It’s very much a story told to the reader with sly winks from the narrator. It’s meant to be a narrative that you read rather than necessarily experience so this may not be a style that appeals to all readers. If you don’t mind being told a story and like an outrageous, laugh out loud romp, this should work for you. The narration is third person, past tense and filled with tons of humor. There are numerous laugh out loud moments and of course Praline gets into every conceivable situation from prostitution to media fame, gay bashing, and even hostage at gun point. He always manages to find some way out of trouble but you know that going in.
The pace is incredibly quick and the 200 pages flew by. The writing is very witty with enough laughs that keep you interested but the outrageous antics are always tempered by more moderate action and quick dialogue. Praline shines as an innocent, respectful Georgia boy who was taught the ten commandments from his pot growing mother who drills into him that lying is only ok if it’s to a cop, never use your real social security number, and always be polite to the man that sticks his tongue in your butt. Praline ends up having sex with nearly everyone in the book – after all it’s only polite to agree when asked. In fact the first real friend Praline makes refuses to have sex with him, leaving Praline to assume he’s at best a frenemy.
An example of the over the top writing and dialogue is below:
“No, I mean you like me?”
“I’ve only known you for one day,” Jason said. “Besides, aren’t you in love with someone?”
Praline didn’t see what that had to do with anything. “Well, yes, I am. But Dave G. and I don’t have an exclusive relationship. So, if you wanted to…”
Certainly after he and Dave G got married, bought that little house, furnished it, got their dogs, and who knows, maybe after a lot of talking and some parenting classes adopted a little Chinese girl, at that point perhaps Praline ought to settle down. But all that was a long way—
“Of course you don’t have an exclusive relationship. You’ve never met!” Jason screamed.
“Could you not yell at me?” Praline asked. “It’s been a really trying day.”
If you can take the story at face value for the entertainment and enjoyment, then Perils of Praline scores pretty high. It’s fun, humorous, and a wild romp with outrageous characters and ridiculous actions but that’s what makes it so absorbing and engaging. It’s a crazy whirlwind that is only eclipsed by the next even more ludicrous antic. Sit back and enjoy the humor without thinking too closely at the reasons.
December 5, 2014
Well, I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I am the first to admit that I'm a sucker for a funny book. Give me some hysterical dialogue and a cute MC and I'm happy as a clam. However, this book wasn't my type of funny. It was slap-stick funny, which didn't really work for me to be honest.
It wasn't that this book was bad, it was cute and I enjoyed reading it, but I enjoyed the similar book "The Epic Love Story of Doug and Steven" much more. I think the amount of people that Praline had sex with bordered on off-putting, and I just didn't love his character as much as I wanted to.
It wasn't that this book was bad, it was cute and I enjoyed reading it, but I enjoyed the similar book "The Epic Love Story of Doug and Steven" much more. I think the amount of people that Praline had sex with bordered on off-putting, and I just didn't love his character as much as I wanted to.
November 1, 2012
An absolute hoot! In the midst of Hurricane Sandy and a desperate scramble to salvage a wedding, I didn't want my usual angsty read. I needed something tongue-in-cheek, lighthearted, with endearing characters and plenty of laughs. Marshall Thornton answered my wish with The Perils of Praline, a fish out of water story of a delightfully naive southerner gone to California to meet the man of his dreams. Along the way he runs afoul of a variety of men who provide an education or sorts. I cringed, I laughed, I wanted to shake some sense into our hero, but in the end, I was charmed. And I think I know Praline's mother. Seriously.
Sit back, relax, turn off preconceived notions, and simply enjoy an energetically sexy romp.
Sit back, relax, turn off preconceived notions, and simply enjoy an energetically sexy romp.
May 4, 2014
This book is definitely hilarious and silly and so damn quotable. I do think it would have been better if it were shorter, though. There's just so much we can take of our "perpetually hormonal hero".
Favorite quote: Praline, I brought you up better than that. The man has licked your asshole. The least you can do is say 'hey'.
Favorite quote: Praline, I brought you up better than that. The man has licked your asshole. The least you can do is say 'hey'.
October 5, 2014
The Perils of Pauline was a classic in its own way and so should be the “Perils of Praline” as our hero Peter aka Praline “acquires enough adventures for a tell-all autobiography. With sequels.”
First off, it’s important to understand the difference between a romance and a comedy. Comedies can have a romance in them in the same way that thrillers or action books have that element. However, romances revolve around plot and character.
The best comedies revolve around humor and social statement. The plots can be flimsy or unlikely, the characters need to be extreme or at least remarkable, otherwise the humor drags.
Perils of Praline is a great gay comedy.
The social comment is leavened by amusing action. But it’s worth noting a few examples to show how slapstick humor can work so well with pithy barbs.
Praline’s mother comes up with some gems. First off there are her Ten Commandments. Read the book to find out. As someone who lived by her own rules as to what was legal and what wasn’t. She liked “get-tough-on-crime-candidates” as they were the
The story contains quite a few trueisms: “One of the best ways to get promoted, besides sleeping with the right people, is to fail spectacularly.”
Comedies are also a great way to make a political comment: “He could pretend to be a high school pal in Hollywood before going off to a war zone (Praline decided not to be specific about which war zone because, well, to be honest he could never remember exactly which countries were currently being occupied).”
Through the eyes of our clueless hero who, in times of stress, immersed himself in thoughts about different forms of confectionary and sweets, Thornton has a go at the culture that uses television and media to form their view of the world.
Good comedy makes statements about life, the Universe and shows like Sex and the City (not mentioned by name but clearly identified by)
If you like sophisticated writing, coupled with biting humor, then I thoroughly recommend “The Perils of Praline.”
My only quibble. Authors and editors please note. The following three words sound the same, but have quite different meanings. Please get them right. Your spell-checker won’t. To quote Merriam-Webster:
PEEK
1 a : to look furtively
b : to peer through a crack or hole or from a place of concealment —often used with in or out
2: to take a brief look :
PEAK
1: a pointed or projecting part of a garment; especially : the visor of a cap or hat
2: a sharp or pointed end
3a (1) : the top of a hill or mountain ending in a point (2) : a prominent mountain usually having a well-defined summit
b : something resembling a mountain peak
4a : the upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail
b : the narrow part of a ship's bow or stern or the part of the hold in it
5a : the highest level or greatest degree
b : a high point in a course of development especially as represented on a graph
PIQUE
a transient feeling of wounded vanity: a fit of pique
however, idiomatically, it is: pique someone's curiosity and pique someone's interest ie to arouse interest; to arouse curiosity
it comes from the French verb Piquer - to sting, bite; to give a shot
From an email discussion we had on typos. I gather Marshall is aware of these and they may have slipped in via the proofreader at MLR.
First off, it’s important to understand the difference between a romance and a comedy. Comedies can have a romance in them in the same way that thrillers or action books have that element. However, romances revolve around plot and character.
The best comedies revolve around humor and social statement. The plots can be flimsy or unlikely, the characters need to be extreme or at least remarkable, otherwise the humor drags.
Perils of Praline is a great gay comedy.
The social comment is leavened by amusing action. But it’s worth noting a few examples to show how slapstick humor can work so well with pithy barbs.
Praline’s mother comes up with some gems. First off there are her Ten Commandments. Read the book to find out. As someone who lived by her own rules as to what was legal and what wasn’t. She liked “get-tough-on-crime-candidates” as they were the
“small government” types and, as such, were unlikely to give police departments enough money to actually get-tough-on-crime, leaving her business safe.These barbs can also be comments on people’s foibles like this: “I love people who work hard. They’re great to have around – never forget to take credit for everything they do. It’s one of the ways to get ahead.” Or this classic:
“Praline, I brought you up better than that.” Said his mama. “The man has licked your asshole. The least you can do is say ‘hey.’Mind you, Praline’s stereotypical Southern politeness gets him into lots of trouble!
The story contains quite a few trueisms: “One of the best ways to get promoted, besides sleeping with the right people, is to fail spectacularly.”
Comedies are also a great way to make a political comment: “He could pretend to be a high school pal in Hollywood before going off to a war zone (Praline decided not to be specific about which war zone because, well, to be honest he could never remember exactly which countries were currently being occupied).”
Through the eyes of our clueless hero who, in times of stress, immersed himself in thoughts about different forms of confectionary and sweets, Thornton has a go at the culture that uses television and media to form their view of the world.
Praline knew from his extensive television viewing that white people shot their spouses, white people devised confusing and illegal accounting scams, white people sent dangerous microbes through the mail, but white people did not drive around in enormous SUVs committing street crimes. They left that to the ethnicities.Marshall is a playwright by trade, and I could imagine sitting in a theatre and laughing at lines like these. His sardonic wit and a twisted way of saying things may not appeal to readers brought up on a diet of pure m/m romance.
… he’d become a prostitute. Had (Praline) been given the luxury of considering this life-altering decision before it had actually occurred he would have declined the opportunity.There is an endearing childlike innocence to Praline whose choice of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” as a “safe word” leads to all sorts of hilarious consequences in a BDSM scene. He may be naive, but Praline has a innate sense of what is right and wrong. Not just as expressed here:
long discussions of politically incorrect perjoratives in the middle of a blowjob weren’t exactly, well, stimulating.However the characters around him aren’t so smart. One depressive when asked “Have you taken anything for it?” Answers
“Sure, Crack, ecstasy, LSD, methamphetamine, Special K, alcohol and marijuana. Nothing works.”
Good comedy makes statements about life, the Universe and shows like Sex and the City (not mentioned by name but clearly identified by)
By the end of each episode, they’d managed to convince themselves, and the viewers, that it was they, and not the men they slept with and tossed aside, who were the victims.Like all good stories, Thornton’s main characters do learn from their experiences. In Praline’s case, just as well as
“…there were few times in life when it seemed important to concentrate hard, so Praline had never gotten good at it.
If you like sophisticated writing, coupled with biting humor, then I thoroughly recommend “The Perils of Praline.”
My only quibble. Authors and editors please note. The following three words sound the same, but have quite different meanings. Please get them right. Your spell-checker won’t. To quote Merriam-Webster:
PEEK
1 a : to look furtively
b : to peer through a crack or hole or from a place of concealment —often used with in or out
2: to take a brief look :
PEAK
1: a pointed or projecting part of a garment; especially : the visor of a cap or hat
2: a sharp or pointed end
3a (1) : the top of a hill or mountain ending in a point (2) : a prominent mountain usually having a well-defined summit
b : something resembling a mountain peak
4a : the upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail
b : the narrow part of a ship's bow or stern or the part of the hold in it
5a : the highest level or greatest degree
b : a high point in a course of development especially as represented on a graph
PIQUE
a transient feeling of wounded vanity: a fit of pique
however, idiomatically, it is: pique someone's curiosity and pique someone's interest ie to arouse interest; to arouse curiosity
it comes from the French verb Piquer - to sting, bite; to give a shot
From an email discussion we had on typos. I gather Marshall is aware of these and they may have slipped in via the proofreader at MLR.
December 31, 2010
*4.5 stars*
This novel is an absolute hoot. Praline is a delightfully naive and inexperienced young Southerner who heads off to Hollywood in search of the man of his dreams, Dave G, who he’s fallen for after seeing on reality tv.
Praline hasn’t been in Hollywood for more than a few hours before he finds himself hanging naked off a balcony in fear of his life. More amorous escapades follow as Praline, who thinks it polite to offer sex in return for a favour, shags just about every man he crosses paths with. All but Jason, the man who rescued him from the balcony but seems strangely immune to Praline’s charms.
If you enjoyed James Lear’s Mitch Mitchell mysteries then you’ll probably enjoy this novel. Praline may not have Mitch’s intelligence, but he has Jason looking out for him and huge amounts of charm (along with an insatiable appetite for sex and an amply padded rear). As well as sending the reader on a madcap erotic adventure through gay Hollywood, Marshall Thornton manages to satirise a wide swath of the US media, including made-for-tv movies, gay porn movies, chat shows, anorexic newscasters, casting agencies, reality tv shows, right-wing propaganda merchants and the audiences for all of the above. No one is safe from ridicule!
Don’t be put off if you’re primarily a romance fan – this may be erotica, complete with BDSM, group sex and many encounters with random strangers, but there’s definitely a strong romance plot too.
This novel is an absolute hoot. Praline is a delightfully naive and inexperienced young Southerner who heads off to Hollywood in search of the man of his dreams, Dave G, who he’s fallen for after seeing on reality tv.
Praline hasn’t been in Hollywood for more than a few hours before he finds himself hanging naked off a balcony in fear of his life. More amorous escapades follow as Praline, who thinks it polite to offer sex in return for a favour, shags just about every man he crosses paths with. All but Jason, the man who rescued him from the balcony but seems strangely immune to Praline’s charms.
If you enjoyed James Lear’s Mitch Mitchell mysteries then you’ll probably enjoy this novel. Praline may not have Mitch’s intelligence, but he has Jason looking out for him and huge amounts of charm (along with an insatiable appetite for sex and an amply padded rear). As well as sending the reader on a madcap erotic adventure through gay Hollywood, Marshall Thornton manages to satirise a wide swath of the US media, including made-for-tv movies, gay porn movies, chat shows, anorexic newscasters, casting agencies, reality tv shows, right-wing propaganda merchants and the audiences for all of the above. No one is safe from ridicule!
Don’t be put off if you’re primarily a romance fan – this may be erotica, complete with BDSM, group sex and many encounters with random strangers, but there’s definitely a strong romance plot too.
March 10, 2013
Peter, Peter, Peter... What can I say. The one who's exposed to perils are not Peter "Praline" Palmetier, but the citizens of LA once Praline stepped foot in the city!!! *LAUGHING UPROARIOUSLY*
Highly entertaining, though not my usual cup of tea. A naive optimist young Southern gentlemen on a mission of finding his true love in LA, slaying dragon after dragon...errr, I mean one sexual activity after another. Pandemonium followed wherever he went. It's a nonstop hoot!
Highly entertaining, though not my usual cup of tea. A naive optimist young Southern gentlemen on a mission of finding his true love in LA, slaying dragon after dragon...errr, I mean one sexual activity after another. Pandemonium followed wherever he went. It's a nonstop hoot!
May 4, 2014
Buddy read with my friends (so dear) Lena, Rosa, Otila and Smith - thanks for the company girls.
Laugh out loud Satire, complete with dizzy ‘heroine’ Praline, an ingénue, who like Pauline of ‘The Perils of Pauline’ falls into ‘adventures’ spontaneously and continuously. He takes Hollywood by storm and creates havoc. Praline bounces from one adventure to another with his mantra "Everything happens for the best" always on his lips (reminds you of Pollyanna, doesn't it) and learns a few things about himself and the world, which a true Southern gentleman should know.
So through the story of the seemingly shallow, day-dreaming Praline, Thornton takes digs at everything and everybody including, books, tv shows, parenting, celebrities amongst a few.
Laugh out loud Satire, complete with dizzy ‘heroine’ Praline, an ingénue, who like Pauline of ‘The Perils of Pauline’ falls into ‘adventures’ spontaneously and continuously. He takes Hollywood by storm and creates havoc. Praline bounces from one adventure to another with his mantra "Everything happens for the best" always on his lips (reminds you of Pollyanna, doesn't it) and learns a few things about himself and the world, which a true Southern gentleman should know.
So through the story of the seemingly shallow, day-dreaming Praline, Thornton takes digs at everything and everybody including, books, tv shows, parenting, celebrities amongst a few.
Read
August 12, 2019DNF at 40%. This is a comedy of errors (I think) done sooooo over the top it's become unbearable. Also, Praline's mother needs to be obliterated. I expected to laugh. I think that's what disappointed me most of all. I didn't so much as giggle.
October 3, 2016
A gay Tom Jones meets The Perils of Pauline. An incredibly bawdy, and laugh-out-loud story of an innocent abroad.
Peter "Praline" Palmetier loves from afar a contestant on a TV show:
“Stalking is a felony,” Jason pointed out.
“They’ve made loving someone criminal?”
“Only if you’ve never met them.”
and leaving behind his mother (a hairdresser and part-time dope peddler):
“It’s this fever for organic products...that’s just ridiculous! One of the great benefits of dealing in an illegal product has always been the lack of government regulation.”
he heads for Hollywood and, he hopes, the life of a celebrity spouse. But his unwavering devotion to his idol is tested by encounters with an amorous air-steward, a wannabe dom, a lecherous studio boss...you get the picture. And perfectly ordinary Jason, bemused and exasperated in equal measure by Praline's naivety:
“I know what a sugar daddy is,” Praline said indignantly. “I grew up with cable TV."
What happens to Praline?
"Prostitution does sound rewarding, though. And you have always been a people person…"
Will he make the right choices?
He was about to ruin Jason’s life, did it matter what he’d be wearing while he did it? Well, it did a little. He imagined that when ruining someone’s life you wanted to dress well enough to convey respect, but not so well as to convey arrogance.
Will he find love?
“You really need to learn the difference between sex and a thank-you card.”
And more to the point, will he find his clothes?
"Would you like to explain how you happened to be hanging naked off a balcony in the middle of the night?”
Something about the way he said it made Praline self-conscious, and he casually draped his hand over his crotch. “Well, it’s complicated.”
“I should hope it’s complicated,” the young man replied. “It’s not the kind of thing that should have a simple explanation.”
Rollicking good fun, but not for the easily offended.
“Praline, I brought you up better than that,” said his mama. “The man has licked your asshole. The least you can do is say ‘hey.’”
Peter "Praline" Palmetier loves from afar a contestant on a TV show:
“Stalking is a felony,” Jason pointed out.
“They’ve made loving someone criminal?”
“Only if you’ve never met them.”
and leaving behind his mother (a hairdresser and part-time dope peddler):
“It’s this fever for organic products...that’s just ridiculous! One of the great benefits of dealing in an illegal product has always been the lack of government regulation.”
he heads for Hollywood and, he hopes, the life of a celebrity spouse. But his unwavering devotion to his idol is tested by encounters with an amorous air-steward, a wannabe dom, a lecherous studio boss...you get the picture. And perfectly ordinary Jason, bemused and exasperated in equal measure by Praline's naivety:
“I know what a sugar daddy is,” Praline said indignantly. “I grew up with cable TV."
What happens to Praline?
"Prostitution does sound rewarding, though. And you have always been a people person…"
Will he make the right choices?
He was about to ruin Jason’s life, did it matter what he’d be wearing while he did it? Well, it did a little. He imagined that when ruining someone’s life you wanted to dress well enough to convey respect, but not so well as to convey arrogance.
Will he find love?
“You really need to learn the difference between sex and a thank-you card.”
And more to the point, will he find his clothes?
"Would you like to explain how you happened to be hanging naked off a balcony in the middle of the night?”
Something about the way he said it made Praline self-conscious, and he casually draped his hand over his crotch. “Well, it’s complicated.”
“I should hope it’s complicated,” the young man replied. “It’s not the kind of thing that should have a simple explanation.”
Rollicking good fun, but not for the easily offended.
“Praline, I brought you up better than that,” said his mama. “The man has licked your asshole. The least you can do is say ‘hey.’”
September 26, 2012
I'm always fascinated by the stories of people who come to LA with nothing and then wind up with everything. So the basic premise was intriguing.
But this book was more than just that. It was erotic and it was comical. Of course, the cover could make for a very tenuous reading experience on public transportation. That said, I'd love to meet the model for it.
I shook my head at the outrageous situations, even the unlikely ones, that the title character found himself in due to naivete and a Lucyesque quality where things don't always go as planned.
The sex scenes were very titillating for someone of my imagination and lack of action in his own life, but it wasn't porny and didn't distract or seem out of place from the story itself.
Thornton was wise in how he ended each chapter on a bit of a cliffhanger so that you'd have no choice but to power through to the next. I found myself reading "Praline" as often as I could and because it flows well, got through it rather quickly.
Two thumbs up.
But this book was more than just that. It was erotic and it was comical. Of course, the cover could make for a very tenuous reading experience on public transportation. That said, I'd love to meet the model for it.
I shook my head at the outrageous situations, even the unlikely ones, that the title character found himself in due to naivete and a Lucyesque quality where things don't always go as planned.
The sex scenes were very titillating for someone of my imagination and lack of action in his own life, but it wasn't porny and didn't distract or seem out of place from the story itself.
Thornton was wise in how he ended each chapter on a bit of a cliffhanger so that you'd have no choice but to power through to the next. I found myself reading "Praline" as often as I could and because it flows well, got through it rather quickly.
Two thumbs up.
February 19, 2011
A very cute romantic comedy.
dnf
January 12, 2019Satire is a very specialized form of humor, and it rarely resonates with me. Terry Pratchett's work is the only exception that comes to mind. So, while I'm a fan of Marshall Thornton, I might as well admit that this series is not for me, and move along. DNF @ 10%.
June 29, 2012
Peter "Praline" Palmetier has fallen in love with a reality TV star, Dave G. Praline lives in a small, southern town. He decides to go to Los Angeles to meet Dave G. because he is convinced that Dave G. will see him and decide on the spot that they are soul mates meant to be together forever. Praline can be almost described as a gay version of Forrest Gump. He has the same naivete and gets caught up in situations that no normal person would get caught up in. He makes his way to LA and that's when the story begins.
I've read other reviews that state that you have to completely suspend any type of reality while reading this book. That is true. There is nothing even remotely real in what happens to Praline during his journey. Oh, did I mention he's a man ho? I lost count of how many guys he had sex with in his first few days in California. His first night in town he gets caught up in an awkward situation with a flight attendant and his psycho husband. As a result, he meets Jason.
There is a huge cast of characters, most of which Praline has sex with. He gets caught up in so many hilarious situations... everything from getting caught in a political scandal and becoming an internet sensation to running naked on the freeway. Jason is always there to pick up the pieces.
I really enjoyed this. It had me laughing out loud more than once. Praline's mom is a blast..... a true southern lady (not!) All of the characters were hilarious. Oh, Praline does actually get to meet Dave G. That was kind of a nonevent in my opinion but it opened Praline's eyes to what he really wanted.
Any book that can keep me laughing is good to me. This one definitely did that. I will be looking or more by this author.
I've read other reviews that state that you have to completely suspend any type of reality while reading this book. That is true. There is nothing even remotely real in what happens to Praline during his journey. Oh, did I mention he's a man ho? I lost count of how many guys he had sex with in his first few days in California. His first night in town he gets caught up in an awkward situation with a flight attendant and his psycho husband. As a result, he meets Jason.
There is a huge cast of characters, most of which Praline has sex with. He gets caught up in so many hilarious situations... everything from getting caught in a political scandal and becoming an internet sensation to running naked on the freeway. Jason is always there to pick up the pieces.
I really enjoyed this. It had me laughing out loud more than once. Praline's mom is a blast..... a true southern lady (not!) All of the characters were hilarious. Oh, Praline does actually get to meet Dave G. That was kind of a nonevent in my opinion but it opened Praline's eyes to what he really wanted.
Any book that can keep me laughing is good to me. This one definitely did that. I will be looking or more by this author.
May 11, 2011
Reviewed by Markie:
When you stumble across a book that is entertaining, funny, heartwarming with hot sexy scenes scattered throughout, I think it's one heck of a find.
From the first chapter this novel kept me interested. Many times I laughed at the unique situations Praline found himself in. His way of looking at the world is totally unique and I felt the author caputured his voice perfectly. Place this one on your buy list.
Oh, and I love model's ass on the cover! :)
A
When you stumble across a book that is entertaining, funny, heartwarming with hot sexy scenes scattered throughout, I think it's one heck of a find.
From the first chapter this novel kept me interested. Many times I laughed at the unique situations Praline found himself in. His way of looking at the world is totally unique and I felt the author caputured his voice perfectly. Place this one on your buy list.
Oh, and I love model's ass on the cover! :)
A
March 21, 2013
I was looking for a lighthearted, funny read ... and that's exactly what I got. I laughed a lot.
Fun story, great characters. You got to love Praline. He is such an innocent, naive and kindhearted character who stumbles from one disaster into another.
Plus with the story the authors pokes fun at entertainment industry, celebrities and LA.
Fun story, great characters. You got to love Praline. He is such an innocent, naive and kindhearted character who stumbles from one disaster into another.
Plus with the story the authors pokes fun at entertainment industry, celebrities and LA.
June 25, 2011
I had so much fun reading this;)
June 20, 2011
OMG... this was so brilliantly written...and soooo damn funny! I am IN LOVE with Praline...the gorgeous clueless sexy big-butted hero...
November 27, 2011
LOL hilarious
October 29, 2012
The hot parts are scorching and the funny parts are hilarious. I had a ball.
Furthermore, I want my life to be a Lovetime movie too!
Furthermore, I want my life to be a Lovetime movie too!
February 16, 2020
5 ⭐️
The Perils of Praline was the first book that I read on my Kindle. 📖
And I loved it ! 🥰
Why did I love it?
♥ Praline was so innocent, and give his trust so easily. (I mean, either you love him for it, or you wanna slap him for it. Or both. Mostly both. 👋🏻)
♥ Jason. He’s my life. And without him this book mean nothing. He’s the only one to be sane ! ☝🏻
♥ So much sex ! And for once in my life, I was not uneasy and bothered by it. (Well... When I start to read, I expected a lot of sex scenes. It’s practically why this book exist.)
♥ There little plot.
♥ The Humor ! Omg the Humor. I love Humor in this book. And Marshall Thornton make me laugh so many time ! 😯
So yes, I love it. This book has no sense, but when I started it, I expected it. And I don’t regret anything ! 😂
I will gladly read the book 2 (IT’S ON KU ! 😍) And, maybe, reread this one the days I’m feeling sad. 👍🏻
My Highlights (12)
The Perils of Praline was the first book that I read on my Kindle. 📖
And I loved it ! 🥰
Why did I love it?
♥ Praline was so innocent, and give his trust so easily. (I mean, either you love him for it, or you wanna slap him for it. Or both. Mostly both. 👋🏻)
♥ Jason. He’s my life. And without him this book mean nothing. He’s the only one to be sane ! ☝🏻
♥ So much sex ! And for once in my life, I was not uneasy and bothered by it. (Well... When I start to read, I expected a lot of sex scenes. It’s practically why this book exist.)
♥ There little plot.
♥ The Humor ! Omg the Humor. I love Humor in this book. And Marshall Thornton make me laugh so many time ! 😯
So yes, I love it. This book has no sense, but when I started it, I expected it. And I don’t regret anything ! 😂
I will gladly read the book 2 (IT’S ON KU ! 😍) And, maybe, reread this one the days I’m feeling sad. 👍🏻
My Highlights (12)
October 27, 2012
Amusing, but after a while the lack of depth in the story grew tiresome
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 6/10
PROS:
- There a lot of funny moments in the book. It’s full of situational comedy, not to mention a slew of ridiculous but matter-of-fact narrative comments about Praline, his chosen profession(s), the city of Los Angeles, etc.
- In a serious story, Praline’s extreme naïveté would be annoying. Because this story is so obviously tongue-in-cheek, though, I thought his innocence simply added to the overall charm of the story.
- Thornton pokes fun at specific fixtures in contemporary society, from TV shows to celebrities to brands/stores. Some of his thinly veiled references to pop culture (as well as religion, the government, political pundits, people with shaky English skills, etc.) are sharp and quite funny. Nothing is off-limits in this story…it’s sort of like a gay version of South Park--with more sex.
CONS:
- The book is told by a removed narrative voice that relates events as they occur and dives every so often into Praline’s head for brief periods of time. I didn’t mind too much since the narration is whimsical and amusing, but the overall effect is that the book reads more like a screenplay than a novel: that is, lots of focus on action and snippets of conversation rather than any deep examination of the characters’ thoughts or motivations.
- Because the book is so very light and airy, I never could take it seriously enough to get attached to any of the characters. They’re caricatures, not real people, so I started to find the story a little tedious once I got used to the flippant tone and found that there’s not much substance beneath it.
Overall comments: I certainly thought this book was funny, but after a while I found the lack of depth tiresome. It’s not at all based in reality: there are times when it seems as though Thornton were trying to come up with the most outlandish occurrences and descriptions possible. That said, it’s a fun read with very little angst and a healthy dose of fairly raunchy sex scenes.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 6/10
PROS:
- There a lot of funny moments in the book. It’s full of situational comedy, not to mention a slew of ridiculous but matter-of-fact narrative comments about Praline, his chosen profession(s), the city of Los Angeles, etc.
- In a serious story, Praline’s extreme naïveté would be annoying. Because this story is so obviously tongue-in-cheek, though, I thought his innocence simply added to the overall charm of the story.
- Thornton pokes fun at specific fixtures in contemporary society, from TV shows to celebrities to brands/stores. Some of his thinly veiled references to pop culture (as well as religion, the government, political pundits, people with shaky English skills, etc.) are sharp and quite funny. Nothing is off-limits in this story…it’s sort of like a gay version of South Park--with more sex.
CONS:
- The book is told by a removed narrative voice that relates events as they occur and dives every so often into Praline’s head for brief periods of time. I didn’t mind too much since the narration is whimsical and amusing, but the overall effect is that the book reads more like a screenplay than a novel: that is, lots of focus on action and snippets of conversation rather than any deep examination of the characters’ thoughts or motivations.
- Because the book is so very light and airy, I never could take it seriously enough to get attached to any of the characters. They’re caricatures, not real people, so I started to find the story a little tedious once I got used to the flippant tone and found that there’s not much substance beneath it.
Overall comments: I certainly thought this book was funny, but after a while I found the lack of depth tiresome. It’s not at all based in reality: there are times when it seems as though Thornton were trying to come up with the most outlandish occurrences and descriptions possible. That said, it’s a fun read with very little angst and a healthy dose of fairly raunchy sex scenes.
July 16, 2020
If you need a good laugh this novel will not let you down. It is a hysterically funny and sexy satire/comedy that really shows the wide range of Marshall Thornton's talent.
July 5, 2011
Easy fun read. Loved Peter "Praline" Palmatier and his wacky adventures. Thanks Mr. Thornton.
October 26, 2015
2011 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
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