Palouse

I need ten stars for this one but I am not allowed.

I read this about two years ago for the first time. What I remembered was that it was about the best story I had ever read on GA but so many of the details went foggy on me. So, I decided it deserved another read.

It was actually much better than what I remembered and now put it at my all time best read on GA!

The main character, a half-Navajo boy, started life out as society's throw-away kid and traveled through many foster homes until finally getting a good one. As society is prone to do, it kicked him again but at least after much personal turmoil, he ended up at another good one until pressure pulled him into a cycle of self-destruction. A special boy who was in and out of his life since he was 9, finally helped him save himself.

I am being vague. I do not want to retell the story as I could never equal the talent of it's author. Read it for yourself or know that you will be sorry for the rest of your life for not following my advice!

I know little of music and less of classical music. Though many years ago I played the trumpet in my middle school band. I worked with disadvantaged, neglected and underprivileged boys. Lost boys so to speak but many with talents. This story brings back those memories. I don't know why I cried with the reading. The emotion of the characters was there in a subtle way almost hidden. I guess I just love stories of lost gay boys who find love and success and show their talent and overcome obstacles of bigotry and foolish religious doctrum. Although filled with beautiful detail and artful description which can make for a slow read the story held my attention. Yes 5 stars for pulling all my favorite themes into one magnificent read. Thank you for your achievement and the effort it took in the writing.