|
No Irish Need Apply |  | Author: Edward C. Patterson
Publisher: CreateSpace
Category: Book
Buy New: $7.50
as of 3/11/2010 23:38 CST details
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  reviews
Media: Paperback
Pages: 116
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.4
ISBN: 1434893952
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
EAN: 9781434893956
ASIN: 1434893952
Publication Date: March 11, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| | |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Kevin Borden has a secret, and that secret is about to shake the world around him - a tame and suburban world ruled by his widow mother, Sarah and peppered by his study-mate, Louis. Teenagers sometimes do the darndest things, but in Kevin and Louis' case, it's a stroke of wisdom wrapped in fool's gold. In a time not so long ago, in the days of JIM CROW and NO IRISH NEED APPLY signage, the world made it clear to those regarded as the fringe. "Stay away." To those who know no better - or perhaps know best, such lines are only meant to be crossed, or why else would they be drawn. Selected as 2009 June Book of the Month by Booz Allen Hamilton's Diversity Reading Group.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 A WASP view February 28, 2010
L. Samuelson (Southern Idaho USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"No Irish Need Apply" paints a picture of two gay males, one struggling with his sexual identity, the other certain of his. When their passions get the best of them, they reveal themselves to their classmates. Consequently, the boys face social ostracism, even violence. Louis's statement, "You never get used to it - the hate. I mean no one ever gets used to hate," filled my heart with compassion. I've seen how cruel students can be to those deemed different. Anyone out of the ordinary can be and usually is cruelly persecuted.
Like other human beings they yearn for love and acceptance. Louis and Kevin find that love and acceptance in each other's arms...
If there was a flaw in the novel, it was that Kevin and Louis are somewhat one dimensional characters i.e. they were gay. They would have been more sympathetic to a heterosexual reader if they were given other passions and interests. L.W.
4 1/4 Stars November 13, 2009
Red Adept (Carolinas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Plot Storyline: 4 Stars
I am reviewing this novel for exactly what it is: a light-hearted story laced with serious social commentary. It's not great literature, but it will make you think.
The title of this novel is an excellent representation of the subject matter of this book. Louis, a senior in High School, is ostracized due to his sexual orientation, just the way Irish immigrants, and other minorities, have been discriminated against. Louis shows what it is like to be different and how painful and truly scary it can be.
Some portions were borderline unbelievable. Louis and Kevin's first kiss takes place at school, where they are discovered. They spent time alone after school, so with the attitudes of their classmates, I would have thought they could have held back a little, especially Louis. Also, completely skipped over was how Kevin went from not even knowing he was gay to kissing Louis in the school hallway. I really felt cheated with this omission.
The Prom scene was very realistic. The actions and reactions of everyone involved were right on target. I think I held my breath as I was reading some of this part.
The sexual scenes were pretty much nonexistent. Although filled with innuendo, the book manages to relate this wonderful tale without even coming close to any graphic scenes. I was only shocked once when Kevin has a `too frank' conversation with his mother near the end.
Character Development: 3 3/4 Stars
Louis was a wonderfully sympathetic character. The reader gets a good feel for him and can easily empathize.
Kevin's development is a little stilted. I was left wanting to know more of his thoughts. It seemed almost as if one minute he was straight, and the next minute he was gay with not enough information on his thought processes. I also would have liked more on how he felt going from popular to `being different.'
Writing Style: 4 3/4 Stars
The dialogue was very good. The descriptions were succinct, yet allowed for easy visualization. The sentence structure was fairly simplistic, as befitted the tone of this novel.
As I stated above, this is not a `literary novel'. It's written in an easy going style that makes for a quick, fun read.
Editing/Formatting: 4 3/4 Stars
There were a few editing errors, but not so many as to be distracting. The formatting was of professional quality.
------------------------
Enjoy this review? Check out my Review Blog. Just do a search on Amazon for "Red Adept". The blog has reviews, author commentary and other articles.
 Not too bad, but needs more substance September 26, 2009
The Book Journal (New York)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It took me two tries to get into this book. The first time around I only read 5 pages and then was so disgusted by the mispellings and grammatical errors, I threw it in the "yard sale" pile.
I woke up the next morning and figured I would give it another go. I really don't like not finishing books. The first 5 pages were the same. Made me upset and I had to stop all the time to figure what what he was trying to say. However...
After those 5 pages, this book is not all that bad. The mistakes are greatly reduced and the grammar (while still bad) was still somewhat forgivable.
This is a good story about two high-schoolers who go through finding themselves, accepting what they find, and then thrusting their find into the world. It's a nice quick read. It only took me 1.5 hours to get through the book as it is easy-going and pretty free flowing.
That being said, I do have two complaints. The first is the decisions the boys make and the reaction of their peers during the prom wasn't very well explored. If this book is being touted and giving a glimpse of what goes through people's minds, the glimpse was far too narrow and brief to make its mark. The book as it is written fails for me for that reason. Adding more chapters and really exploring the characters hearts and soul would have made it a deeper read.
The second complaint would be the cover. It's horrid. In a time where book lovers get thrown hundreds of books a week as potential reads, the covers are the only thing they have to go by. The title is misplaced, the font is horrible, and the art looks like it was drawn by a elementary art student.
All that being said, it was a quick, easy read. Nothing too memorable (if at all) but still passable.
 A New Perspective on Growing Up In Today's High School September 24, 2009
T. Turner (San Jose, CA)
I've been seeing a lot of posts in the Indie Author world on Amazon and the Kindle boards with this author. So, I wanted to see what the buzz was about. Boy, am I glad I did. This is a great book if you want to get a perspective on what it would be like to be so different in high school; you're more than alone but estranged. Dedicated to PFLAG, Parents and Family of Lesbians and Gays, this book can give you an understanding of what it might be like growing up gay in today's high schools.
I really enjoyed the writing style of Edward Patterson. His humor and imagery really pulls you in the book. There is a realistic sense to the minds of these boys, and the build up to the end is a window to their pain. I was able to predict the ending a bit. But by that time, like any well-led reader, I wanted it to happen.
This book does have some areas that would delve into more adult and teen reading. I would not have middle school readers try this book. It is definitely written as an edgy YA. It is a good read for families trying to understand what is behind the feelings of someone who is gay in their family.
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. | |
