"The best gay-themed book I have read in a very
long time"
"I've been busy editing this month--more
than ever before, with little time to write and little time to read, so
I had the good fortune of choosing a real gem of a book for my limited
time. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I can safely say, it's the best
gay-themed book I have read in a very long time. So I recommend Two
Irish Lads here. It is set in Upper Canada in 1820, and the writer
has done a marvelous job of researching, which comes across as natural
in his story, lending an air of authority to his writing."
Ronald L. Donaghe, Author of Common Sons.
www.rldbooks.com
_________________
April 20, 2008
A riveting read from start to finish!
"Two
Irish Lads is, quite simply, a wonderfully
refreshing novel about a subject that would be controversial even if it
were set sometime in the past thirty years (e.g., Brokeback Mountain).
In making things interesting, the story has
been set in the nineteenth century, when homosexuality was completely
forbidden. Since we know that homosexuality has existed since the dawn
of man, we know that a story like Two Irish Lads is a probable
fact of history.
The
style of Two Irish Lads—that is, the journal style—is reminiscent
of the time in which the book is set. I believe that is why it works as
well as it does. Moreover, the author’s knowledge of the nineteenth
century is apparent, as the setting is presented so authentically that
the reader would almost think that he lived and wrote during that time.
In
short, author Gerry Burnie has successfully written a distinctive and
gripping story about an unlikely set of characters, and my view of
pioneer life may never be the same on account of it."--"Squire"
Bort
[see:
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Two-Irish-Lads-Gerry-Burnie/978059546730-423121-Review.html].
_____________________
A remarkable achievement for a first-time novelist
April 28, 2008
"I was fortunate enough to see
an advance copy of the Two Irish Lads when author, Gerry Burnie,
sent it to me for an opinion. This, in part, is what I wrote back to
him:
“It is a remarkable tale in
many ways, and quite unique inasmuch as you have explored an aspect of
pioneer life (i.e., a gay aspect) that I had never considered before.
Moreover, to tackle it in a journal-entry format was a courageous choice
on your part, because it is probably the hardest format to write and
hold the reader’s interest at the same time. Nevertheless, you have done
both with considerable style and wit—not to mention credibility—and from
the first entry onward I was transported into these characters’ lives as
they experienced it on a nearly a daily basis.”--J.
Arthur Falberg,
Professor of Journalism (retired).
______________________
May 10,
2008
A five star winner!
"I am a third year journalism
major with quite an interest in history, so when I heard about the Two
Irish Lads I just had to give it a read, and I’m glad I did.
Author, Gerry Burnie, has written a journal-type novel with such
credibility that I had to check the publication date to convince myself
that it wasn’t a reprint from the 19th century. I also enjoyed his
attention to detail throughout, and the use of footnotes to elaborate on
the historical facts involved—e.g., I didn’t know how April Fool’s Day
got its name until now.
Having said that, I would have liked to see a bit more ‘raunchiness’,
but given the era (c.1820) I suppose he went as far as he could go in
keeping with the morality of the time. Nevertheless, the sex scenes are
certainly ‘sexy’ enough, especially the one on the horse’s
back—personally, I can’t wait to try that one myself—and the adventure,
humour and brawls make up for the rest of it. The ending is quite a
surprise as well, but I won’t spoil it for the other readers.
Altogether, I have no hesitation in recommending it as a well-crafted
novel, with an intriguing storyline."--Mark Weaver
