$ At Swim Two Boys A Novel

At Swim, Two Boys



Anyone who might be swayed by the negative reviews for this title would be missing a beautiful story, beautifully told. O'Neill's use of language is stunning, thoughtful, and immerses the reader in an Irish mindset, at once Joycean and Wildean--at times silly and seemingly nonsensical, yet concisely delivering the consciousness and character of those whose expression it conveys. This is not to say the novel, itself, is concise--it's daunting at 570+ pages. However, the pace is quick, the characters compelling, the reward is great.



To limit the title's appeal by labeling it `gay fiction' does a further disservice to the extent that a title is often too easily dismissed whether for lack of interest in a theme or by the deservedly-maligned flood of much contemporary gay fiction. At Swim, Two Boys is, first, a literary title, and secondly, has a gay theme, in the same way it deals with the themes of friendship, loyalty, honor, family, war, etc.



For those interested in gay literature, as opposed to gay fiction, this is one not to pass up. For those interested in literary fiction, again, this is one to savor and share.


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