Jeff Erno's review May 02, 135 of 5 stars Read from April 29 to May 02, 2013 Normal by Stephen J Mulrooney is anything but normal.
Normally, in a gay fiction novel, you'd find a jaded, snarky narrator.
Normally, you'd find sarcasm and meanness and humor at the expense of others.
Normally you would not get a happily-ever-after ending (that just wouldn't be
good literature). Normally, you'd find gay characters who were equally as
masculine and butch as any straight character, because, as you know, there is
really no difference between gay and straight people... those perceived differences
are simply unfair stereotypes. Normally, you'd find political correctness and
lots of big words you've got to look up in the dictionary (or just pretend you
know the definition of).No, there are none of these norms in Normal. Normal is
remarkably, beautifully, memorably ABNORMAL. It's a story of a sweet adorable
kid named Gene who has the most amazing family you'd ever meet. He has two
fathers, one that he calls Mother. Mother's a drag queen, and he's very
motherly. He rules the house with an iron fist and a heart full of love. Gene's
Uncle Josh, a rabbi, is Gene's closest confidant, and he tells the most
wonderful stories. Gene has three siblings, all also adopted. And his older
brother Robbie is Gene's hero. He harbors a not-so-secret crush on him from the
moment they lay eyes on each other.This story is so magnificent, I just might have to go back
and read it again. I laughed. I cried. And I kept turning the pages, until
sadly there were no more. But believe me, that's the only disappointment I had
with this book--that it didn't go on and on. I loved the writing style. I loved the little stories within
that Gene told. He was a writer, and every time something touched his heart,
he'd write a story about it. The author used a lot of puns that made me smile
and sometimes laugh right out loud.Really, this book was like candy to me. It was such a treat,
and if I could give it more than five stars, I certainly would. From a literary
standpoint, I'm sure plenty of the experts will have lots to bitch about, but
as a reader, it was absolutely perfect, and anything but normal.* * * * *
Lynn S.'s review May 06, 13 5 of 5 stars Read from May 04 to 06, 2013 This was a very enjoyable read and I can scarcely believe it
is the author's first novel. The language is as rich as any I've read. I
highlighted my favorite lines and my book is rainbow bright. I loved the
characters...Gene, Robbie, Chip and Dale, Mother, Dad, the aunts and John. A
happy story of love and family that is anything but normal! I will be looking
for more from this author.
* * * * *