[.ca] Like People In History (ISBN 0349108382)

Unforgettable:
This is an update to my review of December, 1998. I read this book five years ago, and still I consider it one of my all-time favorite books. I have recommended it to just about everyone I know. Give it a try! You won't be disappointed! Other books I would like to recommend are Frontiers by Michael Jensen, Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai, Lawnboy by Paul Lisicky, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, and Dream Boy by Michael Grimsley. The text of my previous review 12/28/98 is below: This is one of those books that when you're finished, you wish you weren't! The characters are realistic, the dialogue is believable, and the plot totally engaging! It also helps us put "our" history into some perspective. It was interesting for me to compare being gay in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. I loved the characters in this book. You will recognize all of them. Don't let the length of this book scare you away - it's worth it, and you'll be wishing for more! His writing style takes a little getting used to as he jumps back and forth between time periods, but you'll get used to it! After I've read most books, I give them away to friends. This is one of those books that I can't bear to give up. It will have a place on my bookshelf forever. Oh, by the way, I read this book in the summer of 1996 ! :>

Not Picano's best:
Like People in History is really not what I thought it would be. It is grand to be certain. It is epic for sure. But is it really good? No. And this is unfortunate. I am a rabid fan of Picano's based on only one of his works: The Lure. Unfortunately, LPIH and The Lure seem to have been written by two different people. LPIH's Picano has obviously seen too much Dynasty, 90210, and other late night soaps. This is a superficial work. The characters lack any real human depth that was so very present in The Lure. I wasn't repulsed or turned off by the characters in LPIH; actually, I just didn't care about them at all. It took me a while to read this book, not because it is long (which it is - in my opinion, too long), but because it didn't grab me. With The Lure, I literally could not put the book down. The characters in that book are so engaging and believable that I was completely immersed in the rich tapestry he wove. I found that with LPIH, I felt sadness while I read it, but not for the characters, rather for the author, who seemed to have not really cared for his own characters. I'm sorry Felice. I'm a huge fan, just not of this book.

Despite a few inaccuracies, a pretty good read:
I've been reading Felice Picano's work for about fifteen years, and this ranks among his best in terms of concept. His writing is colorful and engaging, and one feels empathy with his characters-- even at those times they veer into caricature. There are a few anachronisms, both in behavior and pop culture reference (Joni Mitchell did not play Woodstock!), but it was fun to relive those heady days before the patriarchy pulled the rug out from under our youthful idealism. The Fire Island scenes are spot on.

A slice of our history:
As a 20-something, I find it fascinating to read or hear about the lives of gay men during the last century. Picano weaves an intricate tale of the two cousins Roger and Alistair, about how their lives intersected at pivotal points in our shared gay history. I especially enjoyed the scenes set on Fire Island - though only a generation removed, the fun they depicted seems from another world. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the glbt movement in the latter half of the 20th century, and how remaining loyal and diligent to friendships can make a difference in our lives.

A Great Book:
I read this book right after it came out and fell in love with it. So much so, that I purchased several copies and mailed them to my friends as XMas gifts. While some topical devices are incorrect, this is a great read. When Matt died, I really cried. Allister is the typical bitchy queen one sees so often and Roger seems to be an observer more than a participant in many of the novel's adventures. All in all a great read and one worth making into a film.