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Full Circle
by Michael Thomas Ford
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$4.80 (32%) |
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Paperback
Publisher: Kensington
This is a powerful saga of three friends and lovers from legendary author Michael Thomas Ford. Ford's most extraordinary novel yet honestly and lovingly explores the lives and bonds of three men in a saga spanning almost 60 years. History professor Ned Brummel is living happily with his partner of 12 years in small-town Maine when he receives a call from his estranged friend - Jack - telling him that another friend - Andy - is very ill and possibly near death. The news shatters the peace of his world and awakens memories that have lain dormant for years. As Ned boards a plane for Chicago on his way to his friend's bedside, he embarks on another journey, into the past, examining the major events and small moments that have shaped his life and his relationships with these two very different, very important men. Growing up together through the restrictive 1950s and confusing '60s, Jackson "Jack" Grace and Ned Brummel took solace in their love for each other. But when they arrive at college in 1969 and meet handsome farm boy Andy Kowalski, everything changes. Despite Andy's apparent heterosexuality, both Jack and Ned fall hard for him, straining their close friendship. Soon, the three men will become involved in a series of intense liaisons and bitter betrayals, coming together and flying apart as they alternately hurt, love, shape and heal one another over the course of years. From the heady drug- and sex-fuelled days of San Francisco in the wild '70s to the haunting spectre of AIDS in the '80s and the righteous activism of the '90s, their relationship transforms and grows, reflecting the changes occurring around them. Now, together and in the most crucial and intimate of settings, Ned, Jack and Andy have another chance to confront the damage of the past and embrace the bonds of friendship and love that have stood the test of time.
| Customer Reviews: |
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| serious, if flawed |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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"Full Circle" is a serious attempt to write a historic gay novel that covers the last half of the 20th century. In this it reminds me of, but is not as successful as, Felice Picano's "Like People in History." Ford's book reads too much like a timeline, going from major event to major event, with a liberal dose of unnecessary detail along the way. At times it seems like the author is simply lecturing, almost forgetting that these are the words of Ned, his narrator. The book's story, the relationship among three long-time friends, is too slight to carry the weight of the intended epic sweep, and they are moved around like chess pieces to make sure they are present at all the landmark occasions. The trivia that gets thrown in -- the co-librettists of "La Boheme," the man who introduced eucalyptus trees to California, the statistical makeup of Vietnam soldiers -- is a distraction.
That said, the book is still absorbing when it centers on the main characters, whose relationships are well-depicted. Jack and Andy are convincingly drawn, though Ned is little more than a foil for his more colorful friends. At times his behavior isn't exemplary, but the author wants to portray an attitude that was prevalent at the time, so Ned must step up. And while I'm sure that somewhere in America a gay boy dropped out of college to enlist in the Army and fight in Vietnam, as a college student at the time, I find it hard to believe.
(Ford is hardly alone among current writers who no longer make the correct distinction among I/me/myself, but because this is a first-person narrative, the constant errors are an irritant to anyone sensitive to this usage.) "Full Circle" would have been more successful had it been shortened and condensed, as the central story was compelling. It is my first exposure to this author, and I will seek out his other books.
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| Insightful and Great for Younger Generation to Read |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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I enjoyed this book and looked forward to getting back to it before bed each night. Each section is full of interesting historic insights that should be a must read for the younger generation, especially those that deal with the reality of AIDS in the 80s and the devestation it bought on the gay community. Other areas of interest were the Harvey Milk assasination and Vietnam. While this book cover's a gay man's coming of age and his life journey the historic fabric is what I found to be of most interest. It is easy to forget the past and I think it is vital for the younger generation to learn the struggles of the brave members of generations past that have made being a Gay American, a better place for all. We still have a long way to go but the last 30 years have bought about sweeping changes. Enjoy the book, it is worth reading.
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| Full Circle |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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When a story hits home, then that's the making of great literature. The characters are in their prime of life, learning to cope as they grow olders. Mistakes are made, but can be overcome. Excellent reading.
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| Ultimately, a frustrating book |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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I really give this ambitous, but (for me) ultimately frustrating book 2 1/2 stars, but I've rounded up. I did enjoy the early sections of the novel, which focused on the youth, college and army experiences of Ned, the main character. But once Ned leaves the army and moves to San Francisco, I grew frustrated with what seemed like an endless series of what I call "and thens." What I mean is that the story just became "and then I did this" "and then I met so and so" "and then I started taking drugs," etc. It seemed like highlights of someone's diary who is overly melodramatic and inevitably falls back on clichés.
There also is a strong tendency for the narrator to get very didactic--giving little history lessons on agent orange or the Golden Gate Bridge. Perhaps understandable as he's a history teacher, but I found it very off putting.
Most annoying of all, though, is the endless references to the pop culture and history of the particular moment. Yes, I get it was the late 70's; do we have to have you snorting coke while listening to Sylvester, thinking about Harvey Milk, watching Star Wars, reading "Tales from the City," having promiscuous sex and hating Anita Bryant?
I see I'm in the minority here, and I can understand why others might enjoy it, but I found "Full Circle" a let down.
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| A True Gay Classic |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I've read Michael Thomas Ford's other books and was entertained and moved by such a talented and wonderful author. Sure, Last Summer and Looking For It could be called beach novels but the author seems to grow and mature with each new novel he publishes. And with Full Circle, I often wonder if this is his masterpiece or just a taste of the wonderful books to come. Upon picking up this beautiful piece of work, I found that I could not put it down! I was truly fascinated by the characters; cared for them. The historical references were remarkable and the plot just moves forward at an even pace that depicts the lives of these gay men through the rich, complicated and convoluted past of gay history. It has been a year since I read this novel but I gave a copy to my best friend last night as a gift and plan to give another copy to another friend in the near future. Michael Thomas Ford has become one of my all time favorite writers and I'm at present reading his most recent novel Changing Tides. Again: another beautiful piece of work!!!!!
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