When a friend in DC told me Michael-Christopher had written a book... I immediately assumed it was another in his comic book series Living the Life... until he mentioned the title... from Top to Bottom. My initial response was "what the hell is that bout?"... his response was just support him and read it. Well I finally got the opportunity to read the book and umm... well it was... what it is.
The premise behind the book and I do mean the entire book is... Bottom boy Virgil is in a relationship with top Rodney... Virgil comes to Atlanta for a conference and some country South Carolina boy jumps on top of him and is like I want that dick... well nothing happens (yawn) and Virgil goes back to DC beating himself up over an affair that never actually happened in Atlanta and now wants his total top boyfriend to be versatile after 2 years of dating. Fifteen drawn out chapters later... he finally tells Rodney he wants to hit it... which sends Rodney into a manic craze... running from the apartment say hell no my booty is off limits... and the story ends.
After chapter 3, I called my friend and demanded him to promise me that the entire book would not be about this wimpy boy not being able to talk to the man he has been in a relationship with for 2 years. I felt the characters were very transparent... and the story line was somewhat unbelievable... or at least I would hope it was. I feel Michael-Christopher was too detailed in his description of DC, that an average reader not being from the city would never quite understand.
One good thing about this book is that it has the ability to start discussions that should be addressed in the black LGBT community. The first being the stereotypes that surround gender roles and sexual preference. Bloggers like Valentino have deciphered it and Derrick Briggs has teased us with the beginning of a story about it. (Derrick's book club featured Michael-Christopher and his book this past Saturday)
As always I encourage you to pick the book up yourself... support the author... and make your own judgment... these are just my thoughts....
7 comments:
I heard about this book but never looked into getting it. Does he describe more of the scenery itself instead of concentrating on the storyline which would make it seem long and drawnout? nonetheless, I will purchase a copy.
well at least the book will spark some conversation. i have friends whose decisions concerning this matter have ended long term relationships or causes someone to cheat. Now do I want to read 13 chapters about DC is the question?
Do not get me wrong the main emphasis on the book is about the character Virgil's inability to tell his 2 year boyfriend of his feelings.
while most authors describe the setting of their city, i feel this author just goes into too much minute detail that even as a DC resident I found to be odd and out of place.
however i do encourage people to read the book and make their own judgements and even challenge my thoughts if they disagree.
wow charles why did u have to say he did not get the booty, dang no need to buy it now, lol, naw just kidding but i hope its better than your observation cuz it sounds like u really did not like the book,
I was at the event, and it was great! He read a few passages, and I enjoyed it, he is a great guy to know, talked to him about his design work.
Remember, Im not dead, you know, lol.
i met him a few years back myself and would definitely have to agree he is a nice guy.
glad to know you are still around, mr shawnqt
i just finished this book 2, after you told me about it last week I went out and got it, and I would have to agree with your comments... it does cover topics not often talked about though
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