Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Well written, unlikeable characters, 2 Feb 2004
By A Customer
I wanted to like this book - because I liked 'The Uncle's Son' a lot - despite its flaws (of which, are similar to the ones found in this book - inconsistent actions made by unlikeable characters.) I found the main character, David completely self-obsessed, unlikeable and ultimately, not a person who makes strong decisions in keeping with his (underwritten) character. Understanding his marriage with Annabelle (another severe sad sack of a woman - female characters are not a strong point here - they're all in awe of David, the formidable protagonist who women constantly lust after) - and his reluctancy to end a glaringly bad union is something this reader never got. It seems a forced plot point - especially when he's constantly quoting the 'love of his life', endlessing scoring new sexual conquests and looking for new partners. David seems like he's spiralling out of control - but not in a believable way. I also found the main character's sexual views disturbing. The author constantly re-iterates what a masculine, sexually dominant aggressive 'master' he is, pointing a finger at the cliche that effeminate, passive gay men are weak and lesser in the rank of homosexuality. A character this arrogant and unlikeable leaves the reader scratching his head, wondering how a gay author can perpetuate such harmful stereotypes.
Roimata from The Uncle's Son - a walking political agenda disguised in the skirt of a radical polynesian feminist/lesbian - is transplanted here in the form of another suspiciously similar character (but this time a man) - and the author's seeming fascination with Americans is replicated here many times. What is an American? A race? A political point of view? Or a good time? Here it's an offensive cliche - as is the word"Oriental", something I thought had been wiped out of our vernacular.
For all its good meaning toward sexual tolerance and racial understanding, Nights In The Gardens Of Spain, ends up offending this reader as royally as it seemingly is trying to educate. Perhaps if David was less self-obsessed, and more pro-active in his choices, we'd get a better sense of self.
In this garden he comes across more as a prickly thorn than as a sweet-smelling rose.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply moving, 3 Oct 2003
This is a book I have read and re-read, and I am moved again and again. A passionate story about a man coming out of the closet, the story of his double life and then confession to his family. It is such a wonderful angle, often sad but ultimately uplifting, to take on what could be percieved as such a depressing story. Told simply, as is Witi's style, but with such passion. At many stages, there were tears in my eyes. This is one of my favourite books,I will continue to read every couple of years.Have I gushed enough, buy it!!
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by Witi Ihimaera
by Alistair MacLeod
by Tom Spanbauer
