"A thoroughly wonderful novel. ... [It] did two things no book had done for me in a long time: it made me feel good and it took me completely by surprise. David Leavitt
Marvelous first novel from the author of The Wonder Boys. The protagonist of this coming-of-age novel is Art Bechstein, son of a Jewish gangster. In the summer before he leaves for college, he meets a young woman, Phlox, and a gay young man, Arthur, and has affairs with both of them. Through Arthur he meets Cleveland, an alcoholic biker, who hopes to use the connection of Art's father to organized crime to achieve fame and fortune in the underworld. At the time of publication Newsweek Magazine labeled Chabon one the most promising new gay writers. What is interesting is that although Chabon says he dabbled with gay sex in College, he is happily married to a woman and they have two children! Regardless of Chabon's sexuality this is one of the best gay books.
