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When The Stars Come Out
by Rob Byrnes
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$15.00 |
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$12.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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Paperback
Publisher: Kensington
Guess Who's Coming Out? Noah Abraham is back in New York tending to his ailing father while dealing with his writer's block on a book about gay congressional staffers. What he needs is a break, and he gets it when he meets Bart Gustafson, the personal assistant to former film and television star Quinn Scott. The macho stud has been living in exile for years since running away with one of his ex-wife's backup dancers...a male backup dancer. And just like that, Noah's writing block is cured. The Full, Shocking Story! Getting a sizzling, tell-all book out of Quinn won't be boring--or easy. The 72-year-old is profane, hard-drinking, and hard of hearing, but he's got plenty of dish on Hollywood, especially its very deep closets. The only topics that are off-limits for Quinn are his son, heartthrob actor Quinn, Jr., and his marriage to 1960s wholesome screen queen, Kitty Randolph. The girl once known for her "sweetness" has spent the last forty years morphing from girl-next-door to scary Hollywood mogul. She owns that town, and she's not about to let her ex-husband spill secrets... Exclusive! Unbelievable! And Very, Very Hot... Now, in an outrageous La-La-Land of come-ons, coming outs, and tell-alls, where everyone's got something to hide and plenty to divulge, Noah and Bart are riding fame's heady, strange wave and trying not to get drowned in the process. It's going to take every bit of cunning they've got, because when the stars come out, someone's going to take a fall...
| Customer Reviews: |
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| THE BEST GAY NOVEL OF 2006 |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Noah Abraham is a promising young author, but his attempt to write an expose about closeted Congressional aids in Washington is failing miserably. No one wants to be interviewed on the record by him, and he has nothing to give his patient, but concerned publisher. Maybe the problem is not the aids, but Noah. As the son of a high profile attorney, Noah's coming out process was smooth by any standard, and he has a very low tolerance for gays not as open about their sexuality as he is.
In the midst of his writing frustrations, Noah receives a phone call from his father's wife, Tricia. Max, his father, has had a heart attack, and Noah must return to New York as soon as possible. Once back in the city, and assured of his father's imminent recovery, Noah and Tricia go out for a much needed drink. At a gay club in the Village, he notices a handsome young man at the bar, but since he no longer lives in New York, Noah decides not to pursue the stranger. However, fate keeps the two men running into each other, and soon they're out on a date.
Bart Gustafson is also passing through New York. He is employed as a personal assistant by an older gay couple in Southampton, and is simply on vacation. While Noah is sure that there is no chance for a relationship due to the distance in their lives, he can't stop thinking about Bart, and decides to visit him at his employer's home. The two men Bart works for are former movie star Quinn Scott and his lover of more than 34 years, Jimmy Beloit. Quinn is as gruff as Jimmy is charming, and Noah is immediately fascinated by them. Soon he's come up with an alternative idea to replace his failed expose, a biography of Quinn that explores his past career, his marriage to super-star Kitty Randolph, and how he gave it all up for the love of Jimmy.
With this, his third novel, Rob Byrnes has given his readers an incredibly well written book about coming out of the closet, and the consequences of so doing. The demeanor of the story is lighthearted and romantic, and yet the subject matter is both sensitive and thought provoking, something not easily achieved. Byrnes delivers a novel full of hidden depth and pathos, brimming with beautifully expressed points of view. He provides a wonderful example of how the bravery of older gay men has shaped the landscape for those who have followed, and how true love can make any situation bearable.
WHEN THE STARS COME OUT was easily the best book I read in 2006, and I can't recommend it strongly enough. If Rob Byrnes never writes another word, heaven forbid, this fantastic novel will forever give testament to his keen understanding of the modern gay world, and how it came to be.
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| Seeing Stars |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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When the Stars Come Out
AMOS LASSEN
Kensington Books has consistently supplied us with good reads and their new catalog has a title that is a worthy addition to our menu for a readable feast.
"When the Stars Come Out" by Rob Byrnes is due out in September and is the latest offering from Kensington. Cleverly written, it is outrageous and sexy while dealing with love and lies and the world of show biz. I can compare it to reading a tabloid account of what is going on among the gay "rich and famous" (ala Jackie Collins but with members of the family). Noah Abraham is our hero and he suffers from a severe case of writer's block. As he comes to take care of his ill dad, he discovers new fodder about which to write as he swept up into the whirlwind of the life of the idols of the world. He takes a job to help 72 year old Quinn Gustafson write his memoirs. Quinn is a fading star, living in exile, since he ran away with a male dancer who worked for his ex-wife. Working on the memoirs, the doors of the celluloid closet are sprung open and stories leap out. It is almost like eating a never ending meal as one story leads to another and we are there for the telling.
Ever since Americans became gossip hungry, it seems as we enjoy these tidbits and tidbits we have. Yet in this kind of work in a profession where secrets abound, a certain discretion is called for........or is it? Some of the stories that come out (with the stars) can damage the idol power of those involved and a dive in the gossip pool can have disastrous results. Herein is the fun of the book--how can a tell all expose still protect those whom are being talked about? These are two people to be protected here-Quinn's son, a major macho man on the screen and Quinn's ex-wife, the squeaky clean 1960's symbol of purity, Kitty Randolph. The maneuvering s hysterical, the games are fun, and the novel is a great way to spend several lazy afternoons.
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| Wonderful, entertaining read! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The early pages of the book revolved around character development, as we got to know the key players. As things progressed, it really took off. I tend to read several books at once, a little of each at a time. So I rarely read huge amounts of any book at once. This was an exception. I enjoyed the first 80 pages, but then it really hit its stride; and then I couldn't put it down. The remaining 200+ pages I finished in less than a day.
It's a rare book that pulls me in like that, and this is one of those wonderful rare ones. Don't miss this book! It's terrific!
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| Boring and Poorly Written! |
| Customer Rating: 1 out of 5 |
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I am an avid reader and like many different styles and types of writing. When it comes to gay fiction there is some wonderful well written literature out there - thought provoking and insightful, emotional reads. There are also those books filled with frivolity that are very light and merely fun reads. All are great.
This book falls into neither category. I read the book half way through and could not waste my time. The characters were all one dimensional - there wasn't the slightest bit of reality or true romance in this supposed laugh filled emotional read.
I will not read this author again. This is my second shot with him and boy, people must be desperate for gay literature.
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| Delightful and engaging read |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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When The Stars Come Out is enjoyable on a variety of levels. Through its fictionalized tale, it addresses the coming-out process from a variety of angles, past and present, as well as from different cultural backgrounds. It also looks at the creative process, what it means to be an artist, and the effort of relationships. All these various themes are blended seamlessly.
The writing is crisp and effortless and the story moves along at a brisk clip. Characters are enjoyable whether they are protagonists, antagonists or just background scenery. Humor is balanced with serious episodes, chapters don't get bogged down in overdone details, and there is just enough sex to pique the interest without becoming salacious. A great vacation or travel read, or a fun bedstand novel.
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