As funny, warm, and sexy as its protagonist, Got 'til it's Gone is the first novel by Larry Duplechan in fifteen years, and the fourth to feature his alter-ego Johnnie Ray Rousseau, a gay black man of Louisiana Creole stock. When we first met Johnnie Ray in the 1987 novel Blackbird the first gay black coming-out novel ever published he was a gay teenager in love with the star of a high school play; now he's forty-eight, still handsome and gym-built but admittedly vain and looking down the short road to fifty with some chagrin. In the midst of a midlife crisis, he falls for a much younger man with some serious Daddy issues; throughout it all, Johnnie Ray tries to look at love (and his life) from both sides now (to borrow a phrase from his idol, Joni Mitchell). Got 'til it's Gone is a queer romantic comedy for the twenty-first century.
3 Reasons To buy this book
This is Larry Duplechan's first novel in 15 years!
It's a modern, gay, black romantic comedy.
Makes you feel better about your own midlife crisis.
Great novel from a talented author ... it has been too long!
bigbearphx wrote on 10/26/2008:
Johnnie Ray Rousseau is a handsome, gay man of Louisiana Creole ancestry, two years away from his 50th birthday, a landmark that has encouraged him to return to the gym and change his diet. The results turn many heads, whether he is out with friends, at church, or at an intimate cabaret where he sings occasionally. He realizes, at this stage in his life, that his dream of becoming a famous singer likely won't happen, but he still enjoys these gigs, while working as a legal secretary to pay his bills. The only thing still missing from his life is a partner to share it with, but Johnnie still isn't ready for that, although many years have passed since losing his last boyfriend to complications from AIDS. His online hook-up ad gets the attention of a 31 year old twink-ish former porn star with considerable Daddy issues. Johnnie is instantly smitten, but all this comes at a time when he is preoccupied with his mother's recent cancer diagnosis, as well as the death of several friends, and a sudden cold shoulder from his best friend, Dre.
Duplechan originally introduced Johnnie at age 17 in his landmark mid-1980's coming-out novel "Blackbird," and also featured him in two sequels in that same decade. This is Duplechan's first novel in 15 years, and it's clear he hasn't lost any of his touch at spinning an interesting, realistic story painted by wonderful characters you want to know. He deals with real-life issues, such as gay teens, aging, intergenerational relationships, gay/straight friendships, gay-friendly churches, and modern gay dating. Whether or not you read any of the earlier works, you must read "Got 'Til It's Gone," and you'll know why this man is one of my favorite authors of all times.
Great novel from a talented author ... it has been too long!
