AmosL
08-30-2006, 11:14 AM
Lisicky, Paul. "Lawnboy". Graywolf Press, 2006.
Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
Several years ago I read Paul Lisicky's novel "Lawnboy" and was moved by both the story and the style. I was so glad to see that is has been reissued with a new cover, a reading guide and a short interview with the author. It is a beautiful coming of age novel that carefully deals with the issue of self acceptance(something that has always concerned me in reference to others).
"Lawnboy" deals with familiar issues and does so beautifully and emotionally. Evan, the 17 year old narrator and main character, tends to the lawn of an older neighbor, William, in Miami. One day they begin a secret affair and this becomes a major concern of Evan who at first attempts to deny the gay aspect of himself. He dates his best girl buddy, Jane, but when he realizes that this is not for him he runs away from home and moves in with his older brother. This relationship is also short lived and he leaves Miami for Fort Lauderdale and goes to his brother who has a flop house of a motel. It is here that he meets Hector, his brother's part time "lover" and assistant. Hector becomes a mentor to Evan but moves on and Evan returns to Miami, wiser and more aware, yet sadder. Here is the story of the ups and downs of gay awakening in the 1990s and a view at the inner workings of a young man's mind as he comes to terms about who he is.
"Lawnboy" is romantic as well as extremely sad as it probes mind of a boy who is at odds with himself. The longing and the need to be accepted is depicted in often heart breaking passages. There is not much new here but what we all have been through is beautifully written about. The innocence of boyhood is coupled with the inability to choose and this may make it hard to read because it is so familiar. This book is about truth; a novel that is on one side mysterious and on the other beautiful. Transcendence and tragedy, love and hope, desire and sexual awakening blend together to provide a satisfying and rewarding read. Put this book on your "To Read" list. And when you read it, savor every word and passage.
Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
Several years ago I read Paul Lisicky's novel "Lawnboy" and was moved by both the story and the style. I was so glad to see that is has been reissued with a new cover, a reading guide and a short interview with the author. It is a beautiful coming of age novel that carefully deals with the issue of self acceptance(something that has always concerned me in reference to others).
"Lawnboy" deals with familiar issues and does so beautifully and emotionally. Evan, the 17 year old narrator and main character, tends to the lawn of an older neighbor, William, in Miami. One day they begin a secret affair and this becomes a major concern of Evan who at first attempts to deny the gay aspect of himself. He dates his best girl buddy, Jane, but when he realizes that this is not for him he runs away from home and moves in with his older brother. This relationship is also short lived and he leaves Miami for Fort Lauderdale and goes to his brother who has a flop house of a motel. It is here that he meets Hector, his brother's part time "lover" and assistant. Hector becomes a mentor to Evan but moves on and Evan returns to Miami, wiser and more aware, yet sadder. Here is the story of the ups and downs of gay awakening in the 1990s and a view at the inner workings of a young man's mind as he comes to terms about who he is.
"Lawnboy" is romantic as well as extremely sad as it probes mind of a boy who is at odds with himself. The longing and the need to be accepted is depicted in often heart breaking passages. There is not much new here but what we all have been through is beautifully written about. The innocence of boyhood is coupled with the inability to choose and this may make it hard to read because it is so familiar. This book is about truth; a novel that is on one side mysterious and on the other beautiful. Transcendence and tragedy, love and hope, desire and sexual awakening blend together to provide a satisfying and rewarding read. Put this book on your "To Read" list. And when you read it, savor every word and passage.