Back Where He Started: A Novel [Hardcover]

 

 

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Without a question this is one of the best books I've read this year! I couldn't help shed a tear or two on more than one occasion towards the end of the beautiful story. It's one I'll read again, that's for sure.

There are many themes intertwined in this novel: love and romance, divorce and loss, parenting and letting go, starting over and being afraid, and most of all, discovering and being happy with whom one is. At the centre of the story is Chris Thayer, partnered for 22 years with Zack, whose children he raised as his own. Now all 3 kids are out of the house and without warning Zack announces that their 22-year gay marriage is over. He walks out, drives away, and Chris is left to fend as best he can. From then on we follow Chris as he copes with his changed situation. We see that everything's different, from finances to a non-existent social life. The only thing that doesn't change is Chris's love and attachment for the three children for whom he was a mom and their love and attachment to him in turn.

The events of this beautiful story take just over a year to unfold and during that time we empathize with Chris as he faces his new life. For the first time he has to find a job to support himself and he faces the usual problems that face all parents, most frequently mothers, who have been out of the labour market as they raised their children. And as is the case with parents everywhere, just because the kids are finally out of the house doesn't mean they don't need continuing moral and even financial support. Chris is there for them because in every way except the biological one he was and is their mom; they even call him that sometimes.

The author writes beautifully and sensitively so that each page is a pleasure to read. The important characters are well described so that it's easy to experience along with them all of the ups and downs they are going through. The journey isn't an easy one for Chris and he knows he can't do it all alone. His faith is important to him and so are "his" children. He moves to a new house on the coast, away from his former life, and slowly but surely his life takes on more normalcy. And then he has his first sexual relationship that doesn't involve Zack.... Fortunately, there is minimal explicit sex so that it never intrudes and certainly never dominates the story. This story isn't about sexual gratification; it's about the emotional and psychological progress that Chris makes in his new life.

Of course the thing that makes the most difference in his life is another love interest and that is portrayed with great sensitivity and beauty. I won't give away any more of the plot other than to agree with the dust jacket which states that this book 'offers a portrait of a man who rediscovers passion at an unexpected time in his life and learns to define himself through his steadfast love for the children he calls his own'.

I can't think of a single negative about this book and would give this book a 10-star rating if I could. This is one that is so beautifully crafted that it will be a pleasure to read it again and again.

Love the works of Jay Quinn. He's an amazing writer who is skilled at telling a story that can be upbeat, funny and sad. Love the progression of the main character. I enjoyed the book so much I'm reading it again.

I'm a divorced middle-aged woman, and I can't remember how this book fell into my hands, but I'm very glad it did. I found it remarkable how similar Chris's reaction to a shock divorce was to mine, which only shows how similar men and women can be. Beautifully written, and very touching.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Straight from the heart
First of all. I don't write a lot of reviews, however I would have to say after finishing this novel that this is straight from the heart one of the best books I've... Read more

Published on Feb 14 2006 by geoff leblanc

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Gay Fiction I've Read!
I read Quinn's "Metes and Bounds" last year and loved it. I was looking forward to "Back Where He Started" and wasn't disappointed. I LOVED this book. Read more

Published on Aug 31 2005 by S. Taylor

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