I hope everyone had a great weekend, but now it's time to start off a new week. A great way to start the week is to take a look at a story that can be found on Gay Authors. Today's feature is About Carl by Diogenes. Timothy M was nice enough to provide us with this great review. If you haven't already done so, maybe it will inspire you to take a look. If you do, don't forget to leave Diogenes some reviews. Enjoy!

You know the kind of story which grips you right from the start? Where you engage yourself in the main character and want him to find love and happiness? The type of tale which has you longing for and dreading new chapters in equal measure, because after reading each one you’re left with an aching heart and your guts in knots from the unfairness of it all. Yet, you’re hooked and keep hoping it will get better ‘next time.’

About Carl by Diogenes is such a tale in my opinion, as well as one of the hidden gems of GA. Judging by the number of followers and reviews we’re a small, but dedicated fan group, but I’m sure plenty of other GA readers will love the story. Especially if you’re in the ‘mature’ age bracket and can relate to the theme, but younger readers can gain an understanding of past issues here, too. Though, I guess there are places in the world where the events described here may still take place.

You won’t find lots of dramatic events or wild outbursts of emotions. Rather, the story begins on a lonely drive home where a song playing on the radio takes Mark back in time and into profound sadness. To the time when he was young and met Carl and fell in love. But Carl is not only in the closet, he’s also in denial, yet the attraction between the two men leads to the inevitable moment of passion.

That’s when Mark’s life becomes all about Carl and starts going downhill. Due to the lack of acceptance from society and the expectations of family and friends, indeed of Carl himself, their love is doomed. The story takes us on the journey toward the present, and we suffer and cry along with Mark.

Now that I've stopped crying, I have to review this chapter. It is so powerful and beautiful in the way a really bad thunderstorm is lovely.

Mark keeps trying to forget about Carl and their unrequited love, and I, for one, admire his efforts to create a life for himself, away from the shadow of the man who broke his heart. But the beginning of chapter 1 keeps looming in the background as a dire reminder of Mark’s continued sadness about Carl and their wasted chances of a life together.

It's a well-told story, fully of emotion--and I'm surprised at how much I resent Carl!

If the story is so upsetting, why do I recommend it? One reason is it’s well written, making us believe in the characters and their actions and feelings. Another is Diogenes’ story clearly shows the hurt caused by the lack of acceptance from our surroundings, which keeps gay men in the closet and destroys the happiness of so many young people. About Carl should be mandatory reading for those heartless idiots who discriminate LGBT people and refuse to accept same-sex marriage.

You capture the angst of what I hope is a time gone by where being gay was the greatest shame, one born alone.

Finally, Mark is a wonderful man who I would like to have as a friend in real life. Go make his acquaintance and discover for yourself what his future turned out to be. Please make sure to tell Diogenes you would like to see the promised sequel. The fan club eagerly await news about Mark.

Category: Fiction Genres: Creative Non-Fic, Romance Tags: Mature Adult, Adult, Friendship, Gay, Coming Out, Love Rating: Mature