Isle of No'Man by Martin J Dixon at Vulpine Press
Genre | Gay / Contemporary / Multiple Partners / Erotic Romance / Humor/Comedy |
Reviewed by | Bob-O-Link on 04-June-2024 |
Genre | Gay / Contemporary / Multiple Partners / Erotic Romance / Humor/Comedy |
Reviewed by | Bob-O-Link on 04-June-2024 |
Heartbroken, stand-up comic George decides to escape from an emotionally chaotic London and runs away to the Isle of No’Man, swearing off all men…except for a stranger with movie-star good looks and a sexy seaman. Not a good start.
George is an unashamedly fat, effeminate gay man desperately trying to find his path back to happiness. He throws himself into this new adventure, immersing himself in managing the island café, whilst trying to win over the locals and juggling some outdoorsy hunks. But it’s not long before problems from his deeply entangled past find their way across the sea. Unexpected love reaches out to find a vulnerable George, but will his shattered heart be ready to receive it?
His story will help you believe in love again. Or at least enjoy the failings of a dramatic comedian-cum-barista along the way, who has no idea what he’s doing
Being sufficiently mature (i.e., elderly), I recall reading books which were merely “racy”, the prevailing style eventually becoming outrageously sexual – just short of biologically unambiguous instruction books. Fulfilling a growing interest in technical specificity, much of character and plot became secondary to explicit eroticism. But even literary styles may experience circularity, and the excess depictions of who is doing what and to whom (or many “whoms”) with much frequency of hormonal abuse and varied physical details that evoke science fiction – there also seemed occasional renaissance of genuine romantic fiction. The characters may be actually recognizable, rather than freaks, and their emotions may register with our own genuine experiences or those for which we aspire.
‘Isle of No'Man’ seems possibly real, drawing the reader into an environment that is feasible – so much so that until arriving at the book’s conclusion it is uncertain whether the reader will either sigh in relief or vociferously demand a cash refund. Either choice would be quite possible in the real world.
The main narrative focuses on George who, having been dumped by his boyfriend, escapes to a Channel Island to run a cake and coffee shop. Being merely average – to a T, George is overweight, undermuscled, and currently lacks much social aptitude. He has dabbled at performing in stand-up comic venues, but only with very moderate success. The geographic tale’s locale, and the mixed use twixt irony and sarcasm (including that subtle British source of twixt) add to the situs of the story. Disembarking from the ferry, George spots Jerry Hilf, a popular and attractive movie actor, but resists following him, given the full measure of George’s luggage – including his current emotional baggage! Salute to our introduction to author Dixon’s clever wit, with which the text is replete. Note that George not only speaks aloud in bright faggotry, he also thinks that way.
While drawing the story in a balance between action and much introspection of the hero, author Dixon brings that panache into much of the interpersonal dialogue. That is wonderfully illustrated with Sam – a boatman now carefully coming out; the several ladies who work with or near George at the coffee house, each of whom bear unique issues; George’s best friend (a dear fag hag); and George’s mother who, archetypically, loves her gay son but still takes annoyance with his many foibles. Jerry is the primary counterpoint, successful, formerly married, and with a young daughter, omnisexual in desire, striving as best as he can with recovery from alcoholism. (Whew!) A melange of perfect characters, thus saving the hiring of additional walk-on people to fulfill the plot’s occasional needs.
The conversations are entertaining, as would be expect in a good gay novel. Example of party repartee: “Sorry for the interruption. My death shouldn’t detract from the evening. Where were we?” or – “The air hit my nipples. He looked down at my body and licked his lips. I couldn’t move. What do you do when you are being appraised? I felt like a rotisserie chicken.” The sex is sufficient: present, logical, and within the reasonable bounds of sanity and sensuality – as one might expect in today’s adult literature. Begging for passion, the reader will need to accept acknowledgment, much as George questions whether Jerry is even gay. Jerry expresses it as being quite genuine. The bumps in their road are logical, and perhaps unavoidable. The work is fiction but the delivery is recognizable. Any ultimate result for their relationship would seem realistic and that alone, makes the novel acceptable. Even the sex is sufficiently torrid and detailed, but never devolves into smut: romance overcomes smut.
The author has danced around the philosophy of a gay relationship, and how personality and social differences affect its direction. George posits that perhaps Jerry loves him, but that his career may be damaged by being seen holding hands with a man in a dress. Not the costume, but having people know this about Jerry. George: “How can you like me when all I am is everything you hate about yourself?”
Enough! Dear reader – here are your choices. Stop reading the review, skip the book, and make up your own completion. Read to the end and accept or reject the author’s plot choices. I’d opt for the latter as, whether or not you’re sympathetic, the work is entertaining, skilled, and a worthwhile buttering of this slice of life.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Vulpine Press for the purpose of a review.
Format | ebook and print |
Length | Novel, 285 pages |
Heat Level | |
Publication Date | 04-June-2024 |
Price | $4.99 ebook, $13.99 paperback |
Buy Link | https://www.amazon.com/Isle-NoMan-Martin-J-Dixon-ebook/dp/B0CYN2MGX6 |