5.0 out of 5 stars normal?, October 17, 2013By barbara - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)What a refreshing book. vividly written!! just enough detail
to keep you reading. if only we had more families like these what a better
place this would be. Read the whole book in two days . Just had to know what
happened next. Loved the Lazarus rising story. This book is a beautifully
written coming of age of a young gay boy and his abnormal family. I don't
really consider it to be gay literature , but a wonderful story of a young
man,his pains and triumphs and the eclectic family that loves him no matter what.
the book keeps you turning the pages and lets you feel for yourself the sounds,
smells,emotions and to use your imagination. i have red it once and keep going
back to read little parts here and there. recommended to my daughter and her
friends and she also loved it.cannot wait for the second book to come out!!
great job Stephan!!* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Engrossing and Enchanting!,
October 14, 2013By Trinity Malott - This review is from: Normal? (Paperback)My mother recommended this book to me, saying that she met
the author at farmer's market and that she bought it and read it herself. She thought
that my friends in college and I would love to read it, and so I borrowed her
copy and read it myself. The way that Stephen J. Mulrooney portrays the
characters in his writing, and the way he weaves his wording makes this book
seem as if it has a life of its own. I see these wonderful characters in every
single one of my friends, and I personally intend to purchase this book for
myself so that I can take it home to them like my mother brought home for me! I
just can't wait for Mulrooney's second book to hit the shelves!* * * * *4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent discovery, June 29, 2013By Sirius -(VINE VOICE) Amazon
Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)I stumbled upon the review of this book on Good reads and
since I love gay YA fiction, I decided I need to get it and read it. I loved it
overall. This is the story of Gene who is coming of age in the most normal
(what is normal, really?) family full of love and acceptance and who helps each
other even if sometimes the world is not the most accepting place. I am not sure
whether I would consider this story very realistic, but this is one of the few
situations when I would say that this is better than reality and reality should
strive to be like the one in this book. The only thing which kind of bothered
me are the insertions of Gene's stories in the narrative. I get that they are
supposed to be the expression of how the talented teenager feels about what is
happening in his life in the unusual, quirky way, but to me it kind of felt
like a disruption of the story rather than enrichment. And the voice was the
voice of the adult writer in those stories, not teenager's IMO. Otherwise
lovely, wonderful, happy and not overtly saccharine at all IMO.
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Story, May 27, 2013
By quovarrell - This review is from: Normal? (Kindle
Edition)At first the many characters in male and female roles yet of
either gender was a challenge to follow. It soon cleared up for me and the
story became a delightful coming of age romp. Soon I couldn't wait to get to
the next chapter. The love and concern of all the characters for each other
becomes almost palpable as the life events occur.It is touching and intelligent, humorous, perceptive and
fun. It is obvious that the author tried, successfully, to be descriptive
rather than graphic in both language and sex.I found it to be a very impressive first novel.
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story of love and an anything
but normal family!, May 6, 2013By Lynn S (Woodbridge, VA) - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Paperback)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...
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, May 5, 2013By Ron Strand-Sorrell - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)Bravo to Mr. Mulrooney for an excellent summer read. Spent
the day at the beach and couldn't leave until the last page. Excellent read,
well written and entertaining. The story flowed like a conversation with an old
friend. Can hardly wait for this first time author's next book. Keep them
coming,
* * * * *
4.0 out of 5 stars Ther best is yet to come!, April 29, 2013By Samuel Wachtel (Merrick, New York USA) - Amazon Verified
PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Paperback)I could give this book five stars but the fact that I have
been friends with the author, attended his wedding, and think he and his
partner are two of the greatest people I ever met would have a part in my
decision.That being said this was a superlative first book by Stephen
J. Mulrooney. If you are looking for meanness and evil in the world then there
is plenty out there for you to read. The best thing I can say about the book is
the storytelling and characters are wonderful. The worst thing I can say is
that good triumphs over evil in most instances. But is there really anything
wrong with that?It is a true family values books as that term should be
understood.
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Great GREAT!!!, April 24, 2013By Dimple - This review is from: Normal? (Paperback)This book is soooo good. It made me laugh, cry and giggle. I
loved it. It took me to a place I had not known before and I want to go back. I
could smell the smells and feel the very feelings of the characters; pain and
pleasure. Here's hoping this is just the beginning for this author.
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars i loved it, April 6, 2013By danielle camino - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)this book made me cry,laugh,and mad. i really enjoyed
reading it and cant wait for the next one to come out.everyone deserves a happy
ending just like gene. he was my favorite one of all. i hope everyone reads
this book.and to the author..... you have an amazing gift!!!! keep up the great
work and hurry up with the next one lol. im proud of you.
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars All about Love, March 15, 2013By E. A. Marshall (Florida) - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)A wonderful story of love, family and friendship and happy
endings......This is the book you want to read when you want to feel the power
of love.The author's emotions are felt throughout the book..He has
shown us all how we can be better friends,brothers,sisters,husbands and wives
.....All it takes is love
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a wonderful surprise!, March 11,
2013By ClaraKCMO "CK" - This review is from: Normal?
(Kindle Edition)I was immediately drawn in by the characters and the story!
It was so well written. I laughed through tears and cried through pain!
Wonderful
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!, March 7, 2013By Adelaide - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)When I read the first paragraph of this book, I knew I would
love it, and it did not disappoint me. It's a heartfelt story of a young man
coming of age and grappling with new found feelings, which brought back my own
memories of that difficult time in my life. It's a book of love remembered,
love lost and the experiences every one of us have gone through. I was filled
with a gamut of emotions;joy, sadness, laughter, tears and yes, even goosebumps.I loved every one of the characters and each one brought
their own uniqueness to this blended family. By the end of the book I felt as
if these characters were my own family, or at least the family I would have
chosen for myself. The author's skillful style of writing and his prolific use
of puns created an easy and delightful read. I have now read the book four
times and I am glad I did, because each time I read it I found something new to
ponder. Five stars to a book that I believe everyone can enjoy and learn from
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Normal?, February 21, 2013By Gina Millen - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)It is hard to believe that Normal? is Stephen Mulrooney's
first novel. Readers are in for a treat...Stephen has a gift for drawing his readers deeper and deeper
into this amazing story. This book has compelling characters and is filled with
love, hope, humor and wisdom. I eagerly await his next book. Anyone who loves
books about family, friendship, love found and lost willnot go away unhappy. Savor this marvelous, sassy,
unforgettable, highly touching novel by a fresh voice. I love this book. I
think it is safe to say that Stephen has a long, successful future ahead of
him.
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!, February 20, 2013By MVH - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)Bravo to first time author Stephen J. Mulrooney! Hope he
will write a second book about this unique and interesting "family"
and continue to capture their love which transcends all circumstances. Looking
forward to reading about more adventures with them all!
* * * * *
5.0 out of 5 stars Hope, February 18, 2013By Deeg - Amazon Verified PurchaseThis review is from: Normal? (Kindle Edition)I have just finished reading the most astounding and
uplifting book. This book I would recommend to anyone one who questions what
real love and what it really means to be a family. The one thing it leaves you
with is real love, hope, fear, caring, and family knows no color, sex, or
origin and when you can see this and accept this your riches will be far
greater then you can ever imagine. Thank you Steve for showing the world that
there is still hope for us all. Never stop writing and opening up our minds and
hearts. You are a very special soul that has the power to open the hearts and
minds of so many questioning and lost souls.