- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Kensington Publishing (1 Aug 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0758204051
- ISBN-13: 978-0758204059
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 93,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"He effectively draws his readers into the wild world of Provincetown...plenty of page turning drama...a winner." - Entertainment Weekly; "This is a cut above more mainstream gay fiction offerings, thanks to Ford's crisp prose and snappy, contemporary dialogue." - Publishers Weekly"
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
From the critically acclaimed writer comes a highly anticipated first novel that follows the intertwining lives of three men, set against the backdrop of summer-time in the breezy coastal community of Provincetown. The author of over forty books, Michael Thomas Ford has been called "brilliant" by Publishers Weekly and has written award-winning and bestselling books such as Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me, That's Mr. Faggot to You, It's Not Mean if it's True, and The Little Book of Neuroses. Now, Michael Thomas Ford turns his pen to fiction in this powerful and moving novel that depicts the lives of three men in Provincetown as they struggle to find love and meaning in their lives. Provincetown--located at the tip of Cape Cod--has long been a haven for gays and lesbians who make the pilgrimage there each summer. With its warm ocean breezes and star filled summer nights, Provincetown always makes the possibility of a future love seem within reach. Annually, Provincetown attracts more gay visitors than Key West and Fire Island combined--but whatever their reasons may be to visit "P-Town, " the gay men and lesbians who flock there each summer always find, and enjoy, a community where their lives take center stage. At the heart of Last Summer are three men--Joshua Felling, Toby Evans, and Reilly Brennan--who each represent the different perspectives and reasons for being in Provincetown, but whose lives intermingle regardless of their different personalities, ages, and backgrounds. At thirty-three, Josh has become tired of his life, leaving his old self behind with the hope of making a fresh start. Toby, who is only nineteen, finds himself moving to Provincetown to seek solace after his familyhas kicked him out of his Midwestern home. Reilly, who has been a lifelong resident, is still unclear about his own sexuality and has long wondered what his fantasies about other men might mean. Everything is about to change when Reilly meets Joshua and the two strike up an odd friendship--that's when Reilly knows, for sure, that he isn't just fantasizing anymore. A stunning debut novel, Michael Thomas Ford's Last Summer is a wondrous story about love and possibility that readers won't soon forget.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found this book a welcome antidote to the kind of gay fic where characters seem doomed by their sexuality, spending their lives chasing men yet ending up alone. It's refreshing to read a story with a happy gay couple in a long-term partnership just living an ordinary life, as an example of what's possible. Provincetown makes a perfect setting for a fairy tale book where happy ever afters do happen. It's a place where gay people feel they belong. A magical kingdom of sun and sky, lazy days and starry nights. The stuff dreams are made of.
It's an undemanding read but not lacking substance. Relationships, family and romantic are explored in detail, through a group of likeable characters spending one summer season in P-town. Some are looking for love, others running away from their past or simply trying to find themselves.
The book's central character is Josh Felling. He's licking his wounds following the revelation by lover of 8 years, Doug, that he's been unfaithful. Josh is a romantic who believes in true love forever. He's looking for Mr Perfect and is not about to compromise just so he doesn't have to be alone. Josh meets Reilly, a heartthrob builder working on the cottage he's staying in, owned by Jerry and Ted the long-time couple who run a guest house called the two Queens. Reilly is about to be married but he's having second thoughts. His love life is sustained by memories of a long ago sexual experience with his best buddy from high school, further fuelled by a troubling attraction to Josh. They meet first of all in the Laundromat where Josh makes an impression by folding all Reilly's clothes from the drier, indulging in happy fantasies about a man with so many work shirts and white boxers.
Jackie is a lesbian whose long time lover is about to leave her. She runs a popular club but her biological clock is ticking. Should she have a baby on her own, and who will be the father?
Young Toby runs away from Hannibal, Missouri, hoping to find a new gay life, far away from religious parents who don't understand their son. Provincetown is the ideal place to get a gay education. He's lucky enough to be taken under the wing of beautiful drag queen Emmeline, who sings at Jackie's club, saving money for the op that'll finally make her the girl she's always wanted to be. Unresolved issues about the gap between who we are and who those around us want us to be come to a head when Emmeline's ageing mother has a stroke and comes to live with the daughter she's always denied.
Big Hollywood producer, Reid Truman, is rich and successful but the one thing he wants is denied him. His boyfriend is an up and coming movie star, Ty Rusk, whose career depends on him remaining in the closet. Reid and Ty escape to Provincetown for a summer together. Can Reid's dream of making a successful gay themed movie starring his gorgeous lover become reality?
This mightn't be great literature, but it's very well written. I found it entertaining and compulsive. I couldn't put the book down until I knew how it played out for characters that'd become like friends. I think it'd make a great movie.
The book has explicit scenes but erotic rather than pedestrian porn, and firmly in context. The difference between love and sex is one of the book's main themes. Highly recommended.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Well looking through the pages of Amazon i came across a book. So with the summer just ahead i decided to purchase it and thank the lord i did. I could not put down this book, even my friends had to pry it out of my hands on some occasions but they never won.
Each character you love, each punch and kiss you are there this book engrosses the reader from the first page and dosent let go until the last. With this book the ending is never in doubt but even when it happens you end up smiling to yourself
This book is very easy to read which is not derogative to the author in any way but the cahracters are well written and the storyline is great.
Miss this book at your peril.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book some years ago as a present for my partner who is an avid reader of books. I seldom find the time these days to read books - I find it difficult enough getting through the newspapers each day - but picked up this book just before Christmas when I didn't have much to do. I couldn't put is down. A great read - appealing and interesting characters, and a happy ending.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
'Last Summer'..loved it!
What I am about to write is a bit of a cliche, but true...Once I started reading this book, I just didn't want to put it down. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2008 by Sarah
The Perfect Summer Read.......
Picture it - the start of summer and all the hopes and dreams of beautiful surroundings, glorious weather, romance, sun, sea, sand and mystery! All wrapped up in a delightful read! Read more
Published on 23 May 2008 by John Canning
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