The Round People - a Novel 6. Novels

If you're looking for an easy read, this novel is not for you. It requires concentration from the reader, but that effort is rewarded. I got to know the people working in and visiting the bar better than if I had been one of the visitors myself. The time spent reading more or less corresponds with the timeframe of the novel, which added an extra dimension for me.

The Dean-Jonathan storyline cleverly intertwines with the other relations described; not dominant, but subtly asking for the attention of the reader.
Even if the story hadn't ended the way it did, or had ended a few lines earlier, thus keeping the reader in suspense, the time reading it was time well spent.

I have yet to encounter a story by AC that I don't like.

I had the privilege to be able to read the other reviews. As so often, it was a pleasure to read the reviews by Headstall, as they are little gems themselves.

On 6/13/2015 at 10:24 PM, J.HunterDunn said:

If you're looking for an easy read, this novel is not for you. It requires concentration from the reader, but that effort is rewarded. I got to know the people working in and visiting the bar better than if I had been one of the visitors myself. The time spent reading more or less corresponds with the timeframe of the novel, which added an extra dimension for me.

The Dean-Jonathan storyline cleverly intertwines with the other relations described; not dominant, but subtly asking for the attention of the reader.

Even if the story hadn't ended the way it did, or had ended a few lines earlier, thus keeping the reader in suspense, the time reading it was time well spent.

I have yet to encounter a story by AC that I don't like.

I had the privilege to be able to read the other reviews. As so often, it was a pleasure to read the reviews by Headstall, as they are little gems themselves.

Thank you, J.HunterDunn, for a thoughtful and thought-provoking review. There is something in the nature of your comments that makes me think back many years ago to the feedback I received from the first person to read this book. A wonderfully intelligent man, who had been out all of his adult life, told me he 'hated' the ending. He said he resented that suddenly the book 'turned out to be a "gay" book.'

His reaction stunned me. Why would the inclusion of two guys in love make the book all about that single feature, when it is only one of many? He broke my heart, because he suggested that "gay" made the read unworthy, so in that sense he used the word "gay" as so many straight people do to mean "second-class," "weird," "trash," and "unworthy."

I think times have changed people, especially Gay ones. We see ourselves in a kinder light now, I hope, and that we do belong. Our stories are part of struggle, period. And as such, they fit in easily with anyone who has ever had to fight for dignity; as I have always known Jonathan and Dean fitted as such into the broader world of The Round People.

Also, thank you for mentioning the fourth-dimension element! Time was integral to my concept for the book when I wrote this, and I did indeed seek to make the reading experience correlate to the reader's sense of an hour passing while reading it. Unfortunately, I believe the size and density of the chapters – constructed with this experiential component in mind – is the major 'challenge' for the reader's enjoyment. Since writing this book, I have kept my chapters much smaller

(And I agree, Gary's reviews are just the best)

@knotme Thank you for your story review!!! You helped me sort through this project and make it presentable. I humbly thank you, and bow. Cheers!