tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post8614775797552314538..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: A story of gay love?Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-20769863224502745602011-11-10T10:01:20.339-07:002011-11-10T10:01:20.339-07:00So ... Top Gun, but in space? Nice.So ... Top Gun, but in space? Nice.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-35804010584304829922011-11-10T06:41:20.257-07:002011-11-10T06:41:20.257-07:00Such a controversial comment section! Alex is fin...Such a controversial comment section! Alex is fine with it. Once we write our books and send them out into the world, we can't control what people take out of 'em. Any discussion on a book is good.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-59911826732659325552011-11-09T09:08:06.038-07:002011-11-09T09:08:06.038-07:00I agree that he shouldn't respond-guessing is ...I agree that he shouldn't respond-guessing is half the fun with this kind of stuff!Alyson Burdettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16916059117572619004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-73796706214317165942011-11-08T12:37:06.194-07:002011-11-08T12:37:06.194-07:00Great review, Michael. Haven't read it, but Al...Great review, Michael. Haven't read it, but Alex should be happy that there are tons of people on here who want to now. Right? It's a win/win.<br /><br />This debate kept reminding me of <a href="http://ontd-startrek.livejournal.com/898479.html" rel="nofollow">this little bit of sexy telepathy</a>. Gotta love that Kirk and Spock connection. <br /><br />P.S. just because male characters are married to women / into chicks doesn't mean there can't be homoeroticism or outright dude-on-dude action in their story. Brokeback Mountain, anyone?Elizabeth Twisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133959633383307056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-60543983598869883112011-11-08T09:28:39.663-07:002011-11-08T09:28:39.663-07:00Oh! I wasn't expecting this at all - really in...Oh! I wasn't expecting this at all - really interesting review. This book has been on my TBR pile forever. I need more time!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-53808511210098825622011-11-08T08:32:27.624-07:002011-11-08T08:32:27.624-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08284738955789123035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-58161521241947215212011-11-08T06:47:39.487-07:002011-11-08T06:47:39.487-07:00Michael, if this is your interpretation, don't...Michael, if this is your interpretation, don't worry about it, and please don't let my answer diminish your opinion of the story. Perception is everything. I wrote it based on my life's experiences; you read it based on yours. And that's all right!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-41987556082209843212011-11-08T00:21:53.658-07:002011-11-08T00:21:53.658-07:00Fascinating! I'm not familiar with the novel o...Fascinating! I'm not familiar with the novel or with Cavanaugh's work, but after reading your review, I had every reason to agree with your conclusion that the characters are gay. Then, here in the comments, the author chimed in, clarifying that the characters are NOT gay. Hmm... writing and reading are both such subconscious events. I'm still not sure who's correct in this discussion!Katie Gateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01264642384901419402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-77500715218333470562011-11-07T23:25:18.050-07:002011-11-07T23:25:18.050-07:00That was so much fun to read Michael. I swear, on...That was so much fun to read Michael. I swear, only you could "cum up" with a theory so intriguing. I must say, I've read the book (enjoyed it immensely) and didn't ~entirely~ get this vibe. The quotes - while out of context - were totally dead on to back up your assumptions. Just goes to show you can find facts to support any research project :)<br /><br />Can't wait to see how you interpret the alpha-male bonding in my Scent short story (lol).<br /><br />I love your new digs Dude; and the change of picture is nice. Makes you look deceptively sweet . .<br /><br />........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-63399534302502487012011-11-07T21:47:04.505-07:002011-11-07T21:47:04.505-07:00Hi Michael, It's interesting that Alex said he...Hi Michael, It's interesting that Alex said he had Jesus and the disciples in mind when he wrote this. There have been those that saw the same homoerotic relationships between Christ and the twelve. It's funny though how often men write stories without (meaningful) women in them... <br /><br />Love the new design and your picture. It's very nice and your header definitely lets readers know you are here! I was wondering about the wolf too. What does that mean? Is it related to your book?Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-2768829026168207672011-11-07T20:49:50.999-07:002011-11-07T20:49:50.999-07:00Hmm... Kurt Hummel. Love him. He's my favorite...Hmm... Kurt Hummel. Love him. He's my favorite character on Glee. When Blaine showed up I was sooo happy. I can't wait for the new episode tomorrow. It's going to be beast! -runs around in circles-<br /><br />Love the colors. A little change now and again doesn't hurt.Brooke R. Bussehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17147444223968856153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-43864240538807766612011-11-07T17:39:55.162-07:002011-11-07T17:39:55.162-07:00Wow! I didn't expect THAT! I'll take Alex ...Wow! I didn't expect THAT! I'll take Alex at his word. Have to admit I found myself laughing my @$$ off reading your review and the comments. I'm almost curious as to what you would think of my characters. Almost. Well, thanks for the review.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-65142883560062611532011-11-07T16:59:21.256-07:002011-11-07T16:59:21.256-07:00...i would totally read some Goose and Maverick sl......i would totally read some Goose and Maverick slash.<br />As long as the level of writing was sound.Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-82517984685034821842011-11-07T16:55:55.362-07:002011-11-07T16:55:55.362-07:00@Anne: The thing is, I am disappointed that I have...@Anne: The thing is, I am disappointed that I have grossly misread this book. I'm not changing my review as it may help Alex get some sales he normally wouldn't have. However, I think there is more than enough evidence in the novel that could be put forth in a debate over the context of the actual words in a class that took say...an hour to discuss. But the fact that essentially the story is so flat and basic and the love between Bassa and Byron is just a best friend guy thing seems so cliche. It's just like Goose and Maverick in Top Gun and has been done over and over. And for the record, the heat level in the exchanges (primarily due to the telepathic bond of Bassa and Byron) was WAAYYY higher than anything Goose and Maverick experienced.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-40493703913471111132011-11-07T16:50:31.562-07:002011-11-07T16:50:31.562-07:00yep!yep!Anne Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695186823472404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-744433959388354422011-11-07T16:41:41.440-07:002011-11-07T16:41:41.440-07:00@Anonymous: Thanks for telling me who you are. Oka...@Anonymous: Thanks for telling me who you are. Okay, so if we step away from the book and take away the whole secondary storyline that I enjoyed this is what I am left with:<br /><br />1) Talented pilot gets trained by mentor. Mentor is a real hard ass but they become best friends. Tragedy happens. Pilot blows up something big.<br /><br />Okay...well your question how do I rate that? Three stars. It's average. It's a space opera with straight men. Nothing remarkable. Nothing to write home about.<br /><br />I guess I could say the editing was good.<br /><br />It reduces my review of this book to a one-liner: "Quick read worth $5 bucks for a bus trip or a red-eye flight."<br /><br />Does that answer your question?Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-32106550474031602422011-11-07T16:28:38.851-07:002011-11-07T16:28:38.851-07:00also, i forgot to mention this ealier. I am totall...also, i forgot to mention this ealier. I am totally going to use sausage-hang from here on out. It's way better than sausage-fest which is what i usually usedSarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-64413982916192634762011-11-07T16:27:41.961-07:002011-11-07T16:27:41.961-07:00Wait, who was angry that you called Byron gay? I&#...Wait, who was angry that you called Byron gay? I'll have to go back up and read the newest comments that i missed. <br /><br />When i read CassaStar i picked up on some homo-erotic undertones. Not the drinking ones (truthfully, i thought you were joking about those bits...) But i shrugged them off. I mean, i read a fair bit of Yaoi so i wasn't even sure it wasn't just me reading into something. I mean, it's hard for me not to see Sam and Frodo in a homo-erotic light, too. *shrugs*<br />I was pretty sure Alex didn't intend it and so i never assumed either of them were gay. I kinda hoped they would get it on (again, i read some Yaoi) but knew they wouldn't because I just figured they were really good friends since that was how Alex had said it on his blog. I also knew he would have a female MC in the next book and i always assumed she would be a love interest for Byron, which i'm glad to see i was right.Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-49302861482437242502011-11-07T16:18:32.611-07:002011-11-07T16:18:32.611-07:00Michael, you certainly make a good case for your t...Michael, you certainly make a good case for your theory.<br /><br />It's probably more intriguing because it's left unknown. And it makes for a bigger audience.<br /><br />Sausage hang - not loving that expression. But it made me laugh. I've probably never read that type of book!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-74011245990784679982011-11-07T16:16:22.483-07:002011-11-07T16:16:22.483-07:00Sausage hang is a new one for me! I like to say &...Sausage hang is a new one for me! I like to say "hot dog party." As in, "I was going to watch that new TV series, Boardwalk Empire, but it looked like a hot dog party."Tamarahttp://tamarapaulin.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-56590473239915291192011-11-07T16:09:35.086-07:002011-11-07T16:09:35.086-07:00i don't think i saw any comments that said ...i don't think i saw any comments that said 'how dare you call Byron gay'. pretty sure everyone is either intrigued, or just appreciating that the book can be interpreted in different ways.<br /><br />As for my previous comment- obvs you're entitled to disagree (as i am with you). But i don't appreciate the implication that if i disagree with you then i either A) haven't read the book (which i already said i have) or B) don't understand the meaning of words.<br /><br />As i said in my previous comment, i too don't have a problem with gay undertones- in fact i often enjoy them. Also, i agreed that i felt there were homoerotic undertones in the book.<br />However- i agree with you that there were hundreds of other ways to show those tones. You should have used them. Choosing to highlight two quotes where Byron is drinking an expensive alcohol- Pretty much any lines about drinking a beverage can be made to sound dirty with enough winking and nudging. Your implecation is that Alex was using alcohol as a metaphor for semen is farfetched- i didn't see it, and per Alex's comment above, he clearly didn't write it that way.<br /><br />I have a new question for you. At the end of your review you said you gave it 5 stars under the assumption that Byron is gay. Now that you know he's not, how do you rate the book (since you said you wouldn't be impressed by that at all)?<br /><br />Finally- i don't normally comment anonymously, but my work pc now blocks logging in to google accounts.<br />I'm normally under Anne- when i get home i'll be posting under thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-36724280544008941962011-11-07T15:14:25.566-07:002011-11-07T15:14:25.566-07:00I just want it made clear that although my interpr...I just want it made clear that although my interpretation of Alex's book does not jive with others that have read it (the ones that it does sync with are just sending me private emails and are afraid to post) AND YES THERE IS MORE THAN JUST ME AND DAVID POWERS KING...<br /><br />I want it clear that I loved Alex's book. This is a POSITIVE review of five stars...the maximum that I give.<br /><br />People who are angry that I would "dare" to call Byron gay or assume such...I think you guys need to check your homophobia at the door. Because I liked what I read even "if" it differs from the allegory of Jesus that Alex was going for.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-19922895764837926832011-11-07T14:56:43.825-07:002011-11-07T14:56:43.825-07:00A very intriguing interpretation, Michael. CassaSt...A very intriguing interpretation, Michael. CassaStar was a good read. Made me blubber at the end. Few books do that.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-36325253087321196922011-11-07T14:56:27.660-07:002011-11-07T14:56:27.660-07:00I've read CassaStar twice now, and I love the ...I've read CassaStar twice now, and I love the book. There is certainly love in the central relationship, but for me the joy of this book as a reader, was the portrayal of a strong, platonic, brotherly bond. Alex's power as a writer has managed to make this love and relationship as important as any sexual/ erotic relationship I have ever read. For me, this book is a love letter to friendship.<br />LxLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03604785269958873474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-19195679237127346142011-11-07T14:41:06.498-07:002011-11-07T14:41:06.498-07:00@anonymous: Thanks for commenting. I disagree. If ...@anonymous: Thanks for commenting. I disagree. If you read the book and understand what words mean then you know what I'm talking about. I could cite a hundred more passages for you but I'm not going to take the time. Believe what you want. I also like the book. I gave it five stars. I see nothing wrong with gay overtones. I am a gay man. So take that as you will. Next time uncloak.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.com