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A Density of Souls
Four childhood friends in present-day New Orleans are torn apart by envy, passion, and a secret murder.
Five years ago, Meredith, Brandon, Greg, and Stephen quickly discover the fragile boundaries between friendship and betrayal as they enter high school and form new allegiances. Meredith, Brandon, and Greg gain popularity, while Stephen is viciously treated as an outcast. Then two violent deaths destroy the already delicate bonds of their friendship.
When the friends are drawn back together, new facts about their mutual history are exposed and what was held to be a tragic accident is revealed as murder. As the true story emerges, other secrets begin to unravel with more dangerous, far-reaching consequences.
A Density of Souls is a stunning debut novel that uncovers the darker side of the teenage psyche.
Five years ago, Meredith, Brandon, Greg, and Stephen quickly discover the fragile boundaries between friendship and betrayal as they enter high school and form new allegiances. Meredith, Brandon, and Greg gain popularity, while Stephen is viciously treated as an outcast. Then two violent deaths destroy the already delicate bonds of their friendship.
When the friends are drawn back together, new facts about their mutual history are exposed and what was held to be a tragic accident is revealed as murder. As the true story emerges, other secrets begin to unravel with more dangerous, far-reaching consequences.
A Density of Souls is a stunning debut novel that uncovers the darker side of the teenage psyche.
383 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
985 people are currently reading
6,822 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Rice
36books2,561followersChristopher Rice is the recipient of the Lambda Literary Award and is the Amazon Charts andNew York Timesbestselling author ofA Density of Souls;Bone Music,Blood Echo, andBlood Victoryin the Burning Girl series; and Bram Stoker Award finalistsThe Heavens RiseandThe Vines. An executive producer for television, Christopher also penned the novelsRamses the Damned: The Passion of CleopatraandRamses The Damned: The Reign of Osiri with his late mother Anne Rice. Together with his best friend and producing partner,New York Timesbestselling novelist Eric Shaw Quinn, Christopher runs the production company Dinner Partners. Among other projects, they produce the podcast and video network TDPS, which can be found at . He lives in West Hollywood, California, and writes tales of romance between men under the pseudonym C. Travis Rice. Visit him at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 583 reviews
August 16, 2011
The gay and lesbian fiction genre is awash with tragically short sighted, stereotypical, and hard to get through novels about coming out, getting beat up, and either finding love or ending up dead. Christopher Rice is like a lighthouse on the banks of a bleak and dismal ocean of the GLBTQ genre. Rice's works are more about a good story, where the character(s) happen to be gay- not a novel solely revolving around the fact that one of the characters like sex with the same gender.
Destiny of Souls is Rice's (yes, he is Anne Rice's son) first novel and it happens to be my favorite. Rice's depiction of modern day New Orleans, and the complicated web of a group of high school friends is poignant and beautiful. If you are familiar with the GLBTQ fiction genre and you find yourself sick of the trash like "Boston Boys Club" and "Bound By Law" then pick up a book by Rice and just see if it fits for you like it did for me- hopefully you'll love it enough to join Rice for his other works (my next personal favorite is Moonlit Earth- which is about a gay flight attendant who is wrongly accused of being a terrorist and his sister takes it upon herself to clear his name.
Destiny of Souls is Rice's (yes, he is Anne Rice's son) first novel and it happens to be my favorite. Rice's depiction of modern day New Orleans, and the complicated web of a group of high school friends is poignant and beautiful. If you are familiar with the GLBTQ fiction genre and you find yourself sick of the trash like "Boston Boys Club" and "Bound By Law" then pick up a book by Rice and just see if it fits for you like it did for me- hopefully you'll love it enough to join Rice for his other works (my next personal favorite is Moonlit Earth- which is about a gay flight attendant who is wrongly accused of being a terrorist and his sister takes it upon herself to clear his name.
January 11, 2019
I won't be writing a full, detailed review for Christopher Rice's
A Density of Souls
, but I will say that it was an important, spectacular read. It's a must have for anyone who's ever been victimized or bullied, and definitely anyone who considers themselves part of the LGBTQ+ community.
July 27, 2011
3.5
The novels of Chris Rice might just become one of my guilty pleasures. In spite of and because of its abundant flaws, this was a whopping good, Flannery-O'Connor-meets-Jacqueline-Susann read.
Daytime soaps can't hold a candle to this book. Oy, the excess! Multiple murders and mayhem; suicide and insanity; alcoholism and bulimia; rape, infidelity, incest; bullying, spousal abuse, and effed-up families; homosexuality and homophobia (and rivers of tears); New Orleans cemeteries; jocks and cheerleaders, gay boyz in musicals, and a cute kid hit by a truck. A terrorist group with terrorist plots! Explosions! A major hurricane complete with submariner rats!
Phrew. There is danger and dysfunction at every turn of the page. It's a breathtaking, brow-wiping ride.
Precious few of the characters are well developed or sympathetic. And there are a lot of them. And the POV ebulliently hippity-hops among them all. (Every player in this melodrama has, it seems, a point of view.) It's sort of like omniscient combined with ah, WTF, let's drop in on this person's thoughts for a few lines.
But . . . the story kept me engaged. I didn't even mind the proofreader's oversights too much. And I was mostly pleased with the ending (just would've liked to see Mary Sue Meredith bite the mud).
The novels of Chris Rice might just become one of my guilty pleasures. In spite of and because of its abundant flaws, this was a whopping good, Flannery-O'Connor-meets-Jacqueline-Susann read.
Daytime soaps can't hold a candle to this book. Oy, the excess! Multiple murders and mayhem; suicide and insanity; alcoholism and bulimia; rape, infidelity, incest; bullying, spousal abuse, and effed-up families; homosexuality and homophobia (and rivers of tears); New Orleans cemeteries; jocks and cheerleaders, gay boyz in musicals, and a cute kid hit by a truck. A terrorist group with terrorist plots! Explosions! A major hurricane complete with submariner rats!
Phrew. There is danger and dysfunction at every turn of the page. It's a breathtaking, brow-wiping ride.
Precious few of the characters are well developed or sympathetic. And there are a lot of them. And the POV ebulliently hippity-hops among them all. (Every player in this melodrama has, it seems, a point of view.) It's sort of like omniscient combined with ah, WTF, let's drop in on this person's thoughts for a few lines.
But . . . the story kept me engaged. I didn't even mind the proofreader's oversights too much. And I was mostly pleased with the ending (just would've liked to see Mary Sue Meredith bite the mud).
September 29, 2012
Christopher Rice loves melodrama.
I had no idea before starting this that Christopher Rice is the son of Vampire author Anne Rice (whose works I've never properly ready anyway) but it was interesting to see that he had followed in his mother's footsteps, minus vampire's of course.
What I can say about this novel is that it's 'okay'. The writing is quite good, and a picture of the town and situation is handled nicely but I felt everything got very melodramatic very quickly. This is a novel that includes mass murder, suicides (by the plenty), rape, domestic abuse, a husband who has drugged his wife into a coma for five years, infidelity, self-harm, alcoholism....it get's to be a lot of issues very quickly. Then come the end of the novel, in case none of that was enough, the author has a hurricane hit the town, for well, no real reason other than because he can. It got a bit much.
Character wise nobody really stood out, it never felt like there was a main character...sometimes it even felt like there were too many. I found myself routinely getting confused as to who was related to who. They were not distinctive enough either, basically all I felt from them is that they were all depressed in some way.
Overall an easy book to finish but not one that I would recommend. The same story has been told much better before, and I found it to be quite an empty read, which isn't really what you want when dealing with the topics and issues that this book does.
I had no idea before starting this that Christopher Rice is the son of Vampire author Anne Rice (whose works I've never properly ready anyway) but it was interesting to see that he had followed in his mother's footsteps, minus vampire's of course.
What I can say about this novel is that it's 'okay'. The writing is quite good, and a picture of the town and situation is handled nicely but I felt everything got very melodramatic very quickly. This is a novel that includes mass murder, suicides (by the plenty), rape, domestic abuse, a husband who has drugged his wife into a coma for five years, infidelity, self-harm, alcoholism....it get's to be a lot of issues very quickly. Then come the end of the novel, in case none of that was enough, the author has a hurricane hit the town, for well, no real reason other than because he can. It got a bit much.
Character wise nobody really stood out, it never felt like there was a main character...sometimes it even felt like there were too many. I found myself routinely getting confused as to who was related to who. They were not distinctive enough either, basically all I felt from them is that they were all depressed in some way.
Overall an easy book to finish but not one that I would recommend. The same story has been told much better before, and I found it to be quite an empty read, which isn't really what you want when dealing with the topics and issues that this book does.
December 6, 2014
REVIEW A DENSITY OF SOULS by Christopher Rice
I had read much comment on this book at first publication in 2002, but not the book. Once I read THE HEAVENS RISE, I realized Mr. Rice should be one of my always-read authors, and reading his most recent novel, THE VINES, only confirmed that. So I am gratified that his earlier novels are being republished, and decided to start with A DENSITY OF SOULS, his first.
I found this not gory at all, but saddening. For some reason, even after more than six decades of living, reading both fiction and nonfiction, historical and contemporary, I find myself still unaccountably startled and shocked whenever evidence of the depravity of the human soul rears its ugly self. I'm speaking here of bigotry, domestic violence, the compulsion to control, and of course homophobia. I felt such empathy for Stephen, and some for his mother Monica. I can't say as much for Meredith (whom I wanted to like but could not), Greg, or Brandon. I do.know this: after I finished the book last night, I didn't want to read anything else right away. A DENSITY OF SOULS lingered all night in my mind, and continues to claim a place there.
I had read much comment on this book at first publication in 2002, but not the book. Once I read THE HEAVENS RISE, I realized Mr. Rice should be one of my always-read authors, and reading his most recent novel, THE VINES, only confirmed that. So I am gratified that his earlier novels are being republished, and decided to start with A DENSITY OF SOULS, his first.
I found this not gory at all, but saddening. For some reason, even after more than six decades of living, reading both fiction and nonfiction, historical and contemporary, I find myself still unaccountably startled and shocked whenever evidence of the depravity of the human soul rears its ugly self. I'm speaking here of bigotry, domestic violence, the compulsion to control, and of course homophobia. I felt such empathy for Stephen, and some for his mother Monica. I can't say as much for Meredith (whom I wanted to like but could not), Greg, or Brandon. I do.know this: after I finished the book last night, I didn't want to read anything else right away. A DENSITY OF SOULS lingered all night in my mind, and continues to claim a place there.
April 10, 2022
The writing itself was decent, especially for a debut novel, but my lord, Rice took after his mom with the melodrama. The resolution was clichéd, there was an twist at the end and a bunch of other nonsense that other reviewers have highlighted in their reviews.
At any rate, I never attempted another book by him.
At any rate, I never attempted another book by him.
April 17, 2025
And, once again ... no words ... just 🤯! His first novel ... written at the age of 21 ... and I just don't see how it gets any better than this! Reminded me very much of by Pat Conroy (which is *almost* as riveting and will be a re-read very soon) ... right down to the climactic scene during the height of a raging hurricane. So.Freakin.Good! 👍👍👍👍👍
August 13, 2010
I've read this book twice now, which is something I rarely do. It is a must read and still my favorite work of his. Although I have yet to read his newest that I picked up earlier this year at a book signing in San Diego. I'm actually reading through his previous works to savor his new release. 1st read: Dec 2000
I feel that I should really add more to this. This book has a main character who is gay, but in no means does it come of preachy in concern with that. This book is about the struggles between people that their differences cause. It also hits on the underlying lies of a social group and how conforming comes with a price. It is beautifully done and if I remember correctly he wrote it at 22. I was a teenager when it came out and it stirred the creativity in me in a way that I didn't feel until years later when I met Christopher Rice himself at a book signing. I remembered my love of writing. After reading this a second time I started working on a book which is something I have always wanted to do, but didn't because of the fear of rejection. Between his words, written and spoken, I have decided to write for myself. I just find his work, especially this first book, to be inspiring.
I feel that I should really add more to this. This book has a main character who is gay, but in no means does it come of preachy in concern with that. This book is about the struggles between people that their differences cause. It also hits on the underlying lies of a social group and how conforming comes with a price. It is beautifully done and if I remember correctly he wrote it at 22. I was a teenager when it came out and it stirred the creativity in me in a way that I didn't feel until years later when I met Christopher Rice himself at a book signing. I remembered my love of writing. After reading this a second time I started working on a book which is something I have always wanted to do, but didn't because of the fear of rejection. Between his words, written and spoken, I have decided to write for myself. I just find his work, especially this first book, to be inspiring.
October 17, 2009
Not very good at all. It reminded me of the books I read when I was ten or twelve years old: Christopher Pike and V.C. Andrews had a love child that puked up this tripe. I could barely get through the first few chapters because I kept rolling my eyes or cringing at the terrible writing. Also, I understand that this is gay literature but it seems like all the men in this book are gay... and boring. All the various shocking truths that are revealed throughout I mostly figured out waaaaay before the author gets around to writing about them and the twist at the end seemed so unnecessary (but so obvious) that I doubt I will read any of the author's other books. I gave the book a second star because the book got better as it went on although it really should be a one and a half star rating. Finally, there was not one character in this book that was well developed; they all seemed like cardboard cutouts of where real characters should be. Don't bother.
July 1, 2021
anyway i can't believe christopher rice wrote something so good when he was younger than me (and i'm only 22). this was a gothic masterpiece and i'm in love with it.
June 15, 2015
WAAAAYYY TOO MUCH GOING ON! The reason for the two star rating is that the premise of the story is a really good one: 4 childhood friends are torn apart in their young adult lives by cruelty, lies, secrets and murder veiled as an unfortunate tradgedy.
A Density of Souls, unfortunately did not stop there. There were more than a dozen confusing points of view, at least half as many tragic, over the top scenarios, and more melodrama than a body can stand.
Seriously, homosexuality/homophobia, bullying, alcoholism, physical abuse, Bullemia, rape, murder, drug abuse, incest and a friggen natural disaster! Too. Much.
The editing was non existant as you jumped from memory to current day, from one narrative to another, all in a blink with no time to digest a new revelation or catch your breath from a horrific moment.
With so much going on and so many characters offering their viewpoints, what you end up with is a ridiculously jumbled and disjointed collections of shorts that were forced together in an attempt to create a story. It just doesn't work.
There is a promise of a thrilling, engrossing story here, if only Christopher were willing to cut out all but the necessary charcters and keep the main plot points to two instead of a dozen.
Anyhoo, that's my opinion.
A Density of Souls, unfortunately did not stop there. There were more than a dozen confusing points of view, at least half as many tragic, over the top scenarios, and more melodrama than a body can stand.
Seriously, homosexuality/homophobia, bullying, alcoholism, physical abuse, Bullemia, rape, murder, drug abuse, incest and a friggen natural disaster! Too. Much.
The editing was non existant as you jumped from memory to current day, from one narrative to another, all in a blink with no time to digest a new revelation or catch your breath from a horrific moment.
With so much going on and so many characters offering their viewpoints, what you end up with is a ridiculously jumbled and disjointed collections of shorts that were forced together in an attempt to create a story. It just doesn't work.
There is a promise of a thrilling, engrossing story here, if only Christopher were willing to cut out all but the necessary charcters and keep the main plot points to two instead of a dozen.
Anyhoo, that's my opinion.
December 6, 2014
***SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER***
OK so by the time this 270 page slim (but still interminable) novel ends, the author has thrown in all of the following:
Murder
Rape
Child death
Incest
A nightclub bombing
A gay man who has the magical ability to turn straight men gay
Insanity
Cults
Alcoholism
Forced drugging
And to top it all off A HURRICANE as its climax!
Yet despite Rice heaving practically every exhausting calamity he could think of against his uninteresting characters (except for cannibalism which I half expected to turn up at some point), none of the turns the story took were surprising or shocking. Perhaps because early on this book took on the tone of a really bad American soap for me. It felt like a year in the world of Days Of Our Lives.
This book has a fairly good rating on ŷ. My theories are as follows:
1. He was 22 when he wrote this, his debut. Cut him some slack. I'll admit, when I was 22 I was prone to hyperbole. Still, I'm offering no slack.
2. He is the son of Anne Rice a famous novelist who is someone I will probably never read. Perhaps his having a famous mum has bestowed critical favours on him.
3. This book is reasonably heavily gay themed and perhaps many in the gay community have been a little lenient on Rice for this novel. They shouldn't be. Please read some James Baldwin and Alan Hollinghurst.
This was just far too much to bear. With all of the eventfulness of the novel it could have been a campy pleasure. But it took itself way too seriously and failed to achieve anything.
Further recommendations for excellent gay literature however are very welcome.
OK so by the time this 270 page slim (but still interminable) novel ends, the author has thrown in all of the following:
Murder
Rape
Child death
Incest
A nightclub bombing
A gay man who has the magical ability to turn straight men gay
Insanity
Cults
Alcoholism
Forced drugging
And to top it all off A HURRICANE as its climax!
Yet despite Rice heaving practically every exhausting calamity he could think of against his uninteresting characters (except for cannibalism which I half expected to turn up at some point), none of the turns the story took were surprising or shocking. Perhaps because early on this book took on the tone of a really bad American soap for me. It felt like a year in the world of Days Of Our Lives.
This book has a fairly good rating on ŷ. My theories are as follows:
1. He was 22 when he wrote this, his debut. Cut him some slack. I'll admit, when I was 22 I was prone to hyperbole. Still, I'm offering no slack.
2. He is the son of Anne Rice a famous novelist who is someone I will probably never read. Perhaps his having a famous mum has bestowed critical favours on him.
3. This book is reasonably heavily gay themed and perhaps many in the gay community have been a little lenient on Rice for this novel. They shouldn't be. Please read some James Baldwin and Alan Hollinghurst.
This was just far too much to bear. With all of the eventfulness of the novel it could have been a campy pleasure. But it took itself way too seriously and failed to achieve anything.
Further recommendations for excellent gay literature however are very welcome.
January 22, 2022
This was my first by Christopher Rice and definitely won't be my last!
If you're a fan, what should I pick up next?
This was a book rec from 12 books from 12 friends. Thanks to Bianca (@bemusedtreefrog on insta) for the recommendation!!
If you're a fan, what should I pick up next?
This was a book rec from 12 books from 12 friends. Thanks to Bianca (@bemusedtreefrog on insta) for the recommendation!!
July 10, 2019
This is my second book by Christopher Rice, and I enjoyed his psychological thriller/coming-of-age story set in contemporary New Orleans. The mood is ominous, brooding with tightly wound emotions. Homoerotic desires and secrets unravel in unspeakable violence amidst four childhood friends. Seams unravel bit by bit as murder and suicide undo four friendships, climaxing with a hurricane that washes away madness brought on by years of jealousy, passion, hatred, tainting not only the main character’s friendship, but also their families, and the entire town.
The story centers around four main Meredith Ducite, Stephen Conlin, Brandon Charbonnet, and Greg Darby. The story begins the Summer of 1992 as the four ride their bikes through Lafayette cemetery to play a game of hide-and-seek while a storm brews overhead. It is here that Meredith witnesses incomprehensible act between Greg and Stephen. She wants to believe it’s just boys play, but on a deeper level, she knows it’s something else.
“Greg and Stephen locked eyes with an intensity that told Meredith they were part of a world
she had been denied access to. It had to be a world known only to boys.�
Soon after the four enter Cannon, a private school for privileged teens, the friendship splinters. Cannon halls are filled with adolescent behaviors and cruelties toward other’s differences. After rumors of Stephens sexual inclination, he’s bullied and ostracized freshman year.
“During his first morning at Cannon Stephen’s only companion was the collective din of
whispers, snickers, and openly disdainful glares.�
Meredith soon spirals into bulimia and alcoholism. Brandon and Greg become popular football stars, hiding their fears and doubts behind masculinity, and bullying Stephen with homophobic slurs and violent acts. But beneath the anger and hatred lies lust, jealousies, and madness, leading to murder, suicide, and unstable adulthoods tainted by adolescent scars.
The story climaxes with an unveiled family secret, threatening an already fragile bond between the main characters. A hurricane sweeps in as if to wipe the slate clean―purge the past and pull a secret into the light. Furious flood waters bring atonement and a fresh start for Meredith and Stephen. This story has many twists and turns steamier than Louisiana’s summer ―tension, lusts, anger, madness� Phew!
The author delved deeply into teenage cruelty, fear, and persecution. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Rice’s well-written, turbulent coming-of-age story.
The story centers around four main Meredith Ducite, Stephen Conlin, Brandon Charbonnet, and Greg Darby. The story begins the Summer of 1992 as the four ride their bikes through Lafayette cemetery to play a game of hide-and-seek while a storm brews overhead. It is here that Meredith witnesses incomprehensible act between Greg and Stephen. She wants to believe it’s just boys play, but on a deeper level, she knows it’s something else.
“Greg and Stephen locked eyes with an intensity that told Meredith they were part of a world
she had been denied access to. It had to be a world known only to boys.�
Soon after the four enter Cannon, a private school for privileged teens, the friendship splinters. Cannon halls are filled with adolescent behaviors and cruelties toward other’s differences. After rumors of Stephens sexual inclination, he’s bullied and ostracized freshman year.
“During his first morning at Cannon Stephen’s only companion was the collective din of
whispers, snickers, and openly disdainful glares.�
Meredith soon spirals into bulimia and alcoholism. Brandon and Greg become popular football stars, hiding their fears and doubts behind masculinity, and bullying Stephen with homophobic slurs and violent acts. But beneath the anger and hatred lies lust, jealousies, and madness, leading to murder, suicide, and unstable adulthoods tainted by adolescent scars.
The story climaxes with an unveiled family secret, threatening an already fragile bond between the main characters. A hurricane sweeps in as if to wipe the slate clean―purge the past and pull a secret into the light. Furious flood waters bring atonement and a fresh start for Meredith and Stephen. This story has many twists and turns steamier than Louisiana’s summer ―tension, lusts, anger, madness� Phew!
The author delved deeply into teenage cruelty, fear, and persecution. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Rice’s well-written, turbulent coming-of-age story.
January 13, 2012
Alright, so Christopher Rice isn't exactly the most polished of writers. There were parts in this that ranged from melodramatic to downright farcical - the big show down in the eye of the hurricane was so completely over the top that I read the whole thing in my mind using Ru Paul's voice. And you know what? I still think this is a pretty good book. In an ever growing sea of at best, second rate gay fiction that floods the market between covers featuring sweaty, muscle ripped hunkies, Souls is a surprisingly tender debut.
What ends up ultimately redeeming A Density of Souls are two things. One is the fact that Rice has the innate ability to accurately capture the smallest details of misery and survival facing teens. Sure the big stuff might be questionable, but Stephen's conversation to his drama teacher in which he asks "when does it end?" hits right at the heart. Anyone who ever suffered from an extended period of bullying knows just what he means when he says he would welcome the isolation that becoming a high school pariah would afford him if only it would remove him from his tormentor's attention. Rice is never afraid to infuse his characters with a lot of emotion.
The second is that Rice maintains a very firm grounding in the world he writes about. There may be more talented writers out there, but if they can't convince themselves about the world they're writing about how can they expect to fool us, willing victims, for even a little while. What Rice lacks in the firmness of his prose, he more than makes up for with the clarity of his vision as he lovingly describes French Quarter bars, back seat dates, drunken parties, mental health facilities and lonely beaches. Perhaps the reason I came to care to much for these characters is because in Rice's hands they become real people. And maybe in that sense the roughness to the writing works for, rather than against, the story. After all when in real life do we ever meet people who emerge into our lives fully written, polished to perfection and willing to let us see the faults written in our own characters by knowing the absence in theirs?
What ends up ultimately redeeming A Density of Souls are two things. One is the fact that Rice has the innate ability to accurately capture the smallest details of misery and survival facing teens. Sure the big stuff might be questionable, but Stephen's conversation to his drama teacher in which he asks "when does it end?" hits right at the heart. Anyone who ever suffered from an extended period of bullying knows just what he means when he says he would welcome the isolation that becoming a high school pariah would afford him if only it would remove him from his tormentor's attention. Rice is never afraid to infuse his characters with a lot of emotion.
The second is that Rice maintains a very firm grounding in the world he writes about. There may be more talented writers out there, but if they can't convince themselves about the world they're writing about how can they expect to fool us, willing victims, for even a little while. What Rice lacks in the firmness of his prose, he more than makes up for with the clarity of his vision as he lovingly describes French Quarter bars, back seat dates, drunken parties, mental health facilities and lonely beaches. Perhaps the reason I came to care to much for these characters is because in Rice's hands they become real people. And maybe in that sense the roughness to the writing works for, rather than against, the story. After all when in real life do we ever meet people who emerge into our lives fully written, polished to perfection and willing to let us see the faults written in our own characters by knowing the absence in theirs?
January 12, 2019
Wow. I just finished this book and I don't even know really where to begin. The beginning years in high school resonated heavily with me and drew me into the story ASAP. The story and Rice's writing kept me enthralled. Everyone here is flawed, troubled, and broken. The novel is so tragically written that you cannot wallowing in the events that take place throughout the book. I felt this was a super slow-burn but not in a bad way. It seemed as though nothing yet also everything was happening as you read. With little action to carry the reader through the story, Rice shines in his characterizations and story-telling that keep you invested. There is a light mystery or two at the core of everything that comes to a head at the end, but you'll go through 250ish pages before things really pick up pace; but I didn't care in the least. I'm still left in awe of what I have read and comprehending it all as it sinks. I'm eager to read other works by Rice as I have heard so many great things!
December 6, 2012
I remember my brother Albert bought me this book for Christmas back in 2003 or something. I was living in Sacramento at the time. I had a free evening one weekend and I thought I'd give the book a go. I started to read it and read it non-stop, cover to cover! I was so enthralled! When I got to the last page and I had finished the book, I sat there gasping. Then I through the book across the room as hard as I could. I was angry! Not real sure why. Later that afternoon, I called Albert in Houston and I said, "how dare you buy me that book!" and he laughed. He laughed so hard and said, "Good, I'm glad you really liked it!" He was right. I loved it. I was so full of every emotion, I didn't even know how to handle it. I loved it. =)
April 6, 2008
Four best friends - Stephen, Meredith, Greg and Brandon - are about to start high school at the beginning of Rice's debut novel. Before they begin a sexual encounter occurs which changes their friendship forever, resulting in the ostracization and constant ridicule of Stephen. Greg and Brandon immediately gravitate into the football/popular circle, bringing Meredith with them, while Stephen remains the odd man out, trying to come to terms with his own homosexuality in a rarely forgiving environment.
Five years later and their lives are completely different, each individual marred by events which occurred before they graduated high school. Their number has diminished and the survivors have followed different paths, all of which ultimately lead them all back to the same hometown. Brandon's older brother, Jordan, attempts to find out the truth about what happened to tear apart four of the closest imaginable friends. His efforts open the proverbial can of worms and unleashes answers he never would have expected.
The parts of the book revolving solely around the four in high school was more interesting to me than the rest of the book, in a melodramatic, Beverly Hills, 90210 sort of way - like a train wreck. The high school year focused on in the book was 1995, the same year I was in high school, so for that purpose alone I was probably somehow unintentionally drawn into it. However, by the time it was Five Years Later, 2000, my interest waned and I realized I no longer cared as much for the characters. For whatever reason I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight, which is not normally a problem for me; however, several characters began with the same letter causing me to not really get a grasp on it (Meredith, Monica; Roger, Ronald; Alex, Andrew).
I don't say I disliked it. It was a good first attempt at a novel - but I wonder if it would be anywhere near as popular as it was (is?) if Christopher Rice were not the son of Anne Rice. It was, overall, just as the 2-star rating indicates: It was okay.
Five years later and their lives are completely different, each individual marred by events which occurred before they graduated high school. Their number has diminished and the survivors have followed different paths, all of which ultimately lead them all back to the same hometown. Brandon's older brother, Jordan, attempts to find out the truth about what happened to tear apart four of the closest imaginable friends. His efforts open the proverbial can of worms and unleashes answers he never would have expected.
The parts of the book revolving solely around the four in high school was more interesting to me than the rest of the book, in a melodramatic, Beverly Hills, 90210 sort of way - like a train wreck. The high school year focused on in the book was 1995, the same year I was in high school, so for that purpose alone I was probably somehow unintentionally drawn into it. However, by the time it was Five Years Later, 2000, my interest waned and I realized I no longer cared as much for the characters. For whatever reason I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight, which is not normally a problem for me; however, several characters began with the same letter causing me to not really get a grasp on it (Meredith, Monica; Roger, Ronald; Alex, Andrew).
I don't say I disliked it. It was a good first attempt at a novel - but I wonder if it would be anywhere near as popular as it was (is?) if Christopher Rice were not the son of Anne Rice. It was, overall, just as the 2-star rating indicates: It was okay.
January 11, 2015
From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate. - Socrates
Expectations. I think that is always my problem when I read “name� authors. With their fancy publishers, fancy marketing and ‘names� I expect their work to be bigger, more well written, deeper. And, honestly, after The Vines I had expected more just because that book was better. It had deeper structure, a better story line.
I understand Christopher’s thought processes, and I honor them. This time, however, I feel he is trying too hard, pushing instead of leading if that makes sense. Don’t get me wrong. There are good things about the book, things that are important. But the overall issues meant the book simply didn’t work for me. I look forward to seeing what others find to love about it.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. Should you appreciate my reviews please don’t hesitate to click “Yes� for “Was this review helpful to you?� Thanks!
Expectations. I think that is always my problem when I read “name� authors. With their fancy publishers, fancy marketing and ‘names� I expect their work to be bigger, more well written, deeper. And, honestly, after The Vines I had expected more just because that book was better. It had deeper structure, a better story line.
I understand Christopher’s thought processes, and I honor them. This time, however, I feel he is trying too hard, pushing instead of leading if that makes sense. Don’t get me wrong. There are good things about the book, things that are important. But the overall issues meant the book simply didn’t work for me. I look forward to seeing what others find to love about it.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. Should you appreciate my reviews please don’t hesitate to click “Yes� for “Was this review helpful to you?� Thanks!
August 15, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
I suppose if Tarantino or Ryan Murphy did a daytime soap it would look something like this. You've got extreme bullying, spouse abuse, alcoholism, suicide, rape, domestic terrorism, murder, and all that is packed into 278 pages. It suffers from series pacing issues, way too many characters and one of the most confusing starts to a book ever. And yet, for all it's problems, I found the ending hugely satisfying despite the completely unnecessary epilogue.
In summary, a beautiful hot mess.
I suppose if Tarantino or Ryan Murphy did a daytime soap it would look something like this. You've got extreme bullying, spouse abuse, alcoholism, suicide, rape, domestic terrorism, murder, and all that is packed into 278 pages. It suffers from series pacing issues, way too many characters and one of the most confusing starts to a book ever. And yet, for all it's problems, I found the ending hugely satisfying despite the completely unnecessary epilogue.
In summary, a beautiful hot mess.
August 23, 2019
4,5🌟não 5 estrelas porque os miúdos não mereciam aquele segredo final Sr. Cristopher!
"Meredith e Stephen também choraram por quatro crianças montadas em bicicletas, iluminadas na recordação de ambos por um sol oblíquo, e que agora haviam desaparecido para sempre."
Este romance dava um excelente filme. Que história!
Brandon, Greg, Meredith e Stephen são quatro amigos inseparáveis, até que chega a puberdade e a ida para o liceu e de repente Stephen é posto de lado sem que se perceba bem porquê.
No final do primeiro ano do liceu a tragédia acontece. O irmão pequeno de Greg, Alex, é atropelado por um camião do lixo e morre. No seguimento, a mãe de Alex entra em colapso e o pai interna-a numa clínica, onde fica em estado catatónico. Como se não bastasse Greg suicida-se.
Com o suicídio de Greg, o seu melhor amigo, Brandon também fica louco e é mandado pelos pais para Fort Davis, afinal nada como a velha disciplina militar para pôr um rapaz em sentido.
Cinco anos passam e Stephen está agora no fim do primeiro ano de faculdade. Meredith passou o liceu e o primeiro ano de faculdade a beber, o que me parece uma boa maneira de passar o ano 😅 mas a moça tinha motivos.
Nisto regressa a casa o irmão mais velho de Brandon, Jordan, que começa a desenterrar os podres. Afinal gente fina de Nova Orleães não fala de assuntos desagradáveis, bebe 😂
A partir do regresso de Jordan vamos percebendo o que realmente aconteceu na noite do suicídio de Alex e os acontecimentos anteriores que levaram a essa noite fatídica na vida dos quatro adolescentes e como fez deles o que são agora.
Gostei muito da história e da forma como é contada, dando perspectivas do Stephen, da Meredith e do Jordan. E lá pelo meio também vão sendo desvendados segredos dos pais de Stephen, Brandon e Jordan.
E gostei muito do Jordan e do Stephen, mas eu tenho uma queda por pares homossexuais, simpatizo sempre com eles.
"Meredith e Stephen também choraram por quatro crianças montadas em bicicletas, iluminadas na recordação de ambos por um sol oblíquo, e que agora haviam desaparecido para sempre."
Este romance dava um excelente filme. Que história!
Brandon, Greg, Meredith e Stephen são quatro amigos inseparáveis, até que chega a puberdade e a ida para o liceu e de repente Stephen é posto de lado sem que se perceba bem porquê.
No final do primeiro ano do liceu a tragédia acontece. O irmão pequeno de Greg, Alex, é atropelado por um camião do lixo e morre. No seguimento, a mãe de Alex entra em colapso e o pai interna-a numa clínica, onde fica em estado catatónico. Como se não bastasse Greg suicida-se.
Com o suicídio de Greg, o seu melhor amigo, Brandon também fica louco e é mandado pelos pais para Fort Davis, afinal nada como a velha disciplina militar para pôr um rapaz em sentido.
Cinco anos passam e Stephen está agora no fim do primeiro ano de faculdade. Meredith passou o liceu e o primeiro ano de faculdade a beber, o que me parece uma boa maneira de passar o ano 😅 mas a moça tinha motivos.
Nisto regressa a casa o irmão mais velho de Brandon, Jordan, que começa a desenterrar os podres. Afinal gente fina de Nova Orleães não fala de assuntos desagradáveis, bebe 😂
A partir do regresso de Jordan vamos percebendo o que realmente aconteceu na noite do suicídio de Alex e os acontecimentos anteriores que levaram a essa noite fatídica na vida dos quatro adolescentes e como fez deles o que são agora.
Gostei muito da história e da forma como é contada, dando perspectivas do Stephen, da Meredith e do Jordan. E lá pelo meio também vão sendo desvendados segredos dos pais de Stephen, Brandon e Jordan.
E gostei muito do Jordan e do Stephen, mas eu tenho uma queda por pares homossexuais, simpatizo sempre com eles.
July 13, 2021
I want to start my review by saying that this is not my typical book. This book was chosen for a book club I am in with some friends, and admittedly I was a bit wary to read it in the first place. However, I think it's important to have an open mind when starting something new, and I tried to do that with this book to the best of my ability. Still, I struggled with this book a lot. I often found the writing style confusing, due to how it would jump from one point of view and time period to the next. I also thought the amount of slurs used in the book was unnecessary. While I think it's very important to represent more LGBTQ stories in literature, sometimes this book seemed to capitalize on the struggles of the gay community rather than focus on bringing them into the light. The book was also drenched in tragedy that seemed to only be there for the sake of tragedy, and the end was disturbing to say the least. I know many people have enjoyed this book, but I personally was left unsatisfied.
January 31, 2015
Definitely a good read, but several issues keep me from giving it 4 stars. While the story was good, it was also a bit convoluted and "over the top." Unfortunately, I feel that Stephen was every homosexual cliche rolled into one and was only defined through his homosexuality. What does Stephen like? What are his character traits? I feel that Rice should have developed his character better and not only through his seemingly one defining quality, his sexual orientation. I also find it hard to believe that everybody, former High School jocks included, falls in love with him and wants to sleep with him.
January 4, 2009
I would have to say that I personally enjoyed this book very much. It made me cry a little on my first read. I think I actually fell in love with the main character, Stephen. It made me mad how everyone treated him throughout the story. I just wanted to go in there and slap a few people silly.
The writing was very good too. Christopher Rice is just as amazing and talented as his mother. He definitely has his own style that can draw you in from the first page...
I loved the ending. I think my eyeballs popped out a bit when I got to the very end.Surprise, surprise, is all I'll say.
The writing was very good too. Christopher Rice is just as amazing and talented as his mother. He definitely has his own style that can draw you in from the first page...
I loved the ending. I think my eyeballs popped out a bit when I got to the very end.Surprise, surprise, is all I'll say.
October 20, 2007
I thought this book did quite well in exploring issues of youth and homosexuality, with a dash of a good mystery and ghost story thrown in.
January 25, 2020
I've read a fair amount of books. Hundreds rather than thousands, I'll admit, but you could say i read at a decent clip. Many of these books are bad. I've read books with bad writing but good stories. I've read books with great writing but poor stories. But i don't think I've read a book that is quite so lacking in merit as this one ever. The writing is decent, yes. It's fine. And it was nice to see some LGBT representation in a novel also (although it was definitely just the G and no LBT that i remember). But every single other aspect of this novel is catastrophic. I'd rather read a bad novel than a boring one but this novel is both. Yet i still finished it...
The truth is that i couldn't put it down. I needed to know how it could possibly get worse. I DID want to know what happened in the end but absolutely not for the right reasons.
I don't think I've read elsewhere a novel which is so confused. Descriptions of locations mean nothing. Character actions, thoughts and feelings sometimes contradict and sometimes even make zero sense. Characters shout at each other and strike out for no discernible reason. It's BONKERS.
And not in a good way. Twin Peaks was weird and had odd characters being odd...but that was intentional. This is just macabre in how bad it is.
I didn't like anyone in the book. I didn't care for anyone. These people existed briefly in my mind and will very soon return to nothing. And not a moment too soon.
In a word: wretched.
The truth is that i couldn't put it down. I needed to know how it could possibly get worse. I DID want to know what happened in the end but absolutely not for the right reasons.
I don't think I've read elsewhere a novel which is so confused. Descriptions of locations mean nothing. Character actions, thoughts and feelings sometimes contradict and sometimes even make zero sense. Characters shout at each other and strike out for no discernible reason. It's BONKERS.
And not in a good way. Twin Peaks was weird and had odd characters being odd...but that was intentional. This is just macabre in how bad it is.
I didn't like anyone in the book. I didn't care for anyone. These people existed briefly in my mind and will very soon return to nothing. And not a moment too soon.
In a word: wretched.
June 3, 2017
He ain't lyin' with that title, ya'll. This book is DENSE with souls - literally.
That said, this was a great read. I quickly sorted out who was who and became emotionally invested. This is Christopher Rice's first novel but I liked it a lot more than Vines, which is the only other piece of his I've read.
I know he wasn't aiming for a "coming of age story set in New Orleans" but that's what this is... that the characters coming of age are a popular cheerleader, a bullied gay teen, and a complete fuckwad of a villain is without question.
Definitely a great read.
That said, this was a great read. I quickly sorted out who was who and became emotionally invested. This is Christopher Rice's first novel but I liked it a lot more than Vines, which is the only other piece of his I've read.
I know he wasn't aiming for a "coming of age story set in New Orleans" but that's what this is... that the characters coming of age are a popular cheerleader, a bullied gay teen, and a complete fuckwad of a villain is without question.
Definitely a great read.
December 6, 2021
Jogos Cruéis é livro sombrio e triste com uma carga emocional muito grande, que nos arrasta para a dor e sofrimento de personagens com relações pouco saudáveis. Uma história de mentiras e perdas, de raiva e ódio.
Foi uma leitura tensa, que me agradou imenso.
April 24, 2021
Li 100 páginas.. não me agarrou, passamos ao proximo...
August 11, 2013
From the first word to the final punctuation, this book intrigued me. It legitimately enticed me to keep reading. Not a single character was dull and while their motivations were often a mystery to the me as I read (as I believe they were supposed to be) they were never boring and were always worth my time.
I can spend much time going on about this book and how it struck a chord with me, but let's focus on the simple fact that it gave me something to chew on. It is often the case that books pretend to be profound when in truth, they are easy teasers that are quite easily willing to give you their secrets after a few minutes of tussling with them.
Not this book.
Christopher Rice manages to always give you just the right amount of who-did-what-to-who to leave you with new and unanswered questions each time, therefore propelling you further into a story that battles with the loss of innocence, the confusion of youth and the fear of the unknown.
The erratic movement between POV is actually refreshing as far as I'm concerned and each character contributes, in however small a manner, to a greater scheme. From the main character Stephen, who acts as the world's punching bag most of the time, to Trish Ducote, notable more for her substantial absence from both the book and her daughters life, each character had a reason. It was heartening to me, actually, that there were few peripheral characters and that only those who were necessary for the story were used for extended periods.
Does the story have a point?
Definitely. The only problem is, it offers us no solution to the problems it presents us with. It offers no answers to any moral dilemma the reader is presented with.
Is it a bad thing?
Not at all. As with our own lives, the characters find no solutions to their own problems, thus leaving them unable to give us any solutions. The characters face the problems, but stumble over them as stunted youths (which they mostly are) rather than process them and deal with them since they've never learned how to do that (the adult characters don't do a great job of passing on any pearls of wisdom.)
The story does, however, leave us with the one thing the characters do have though. Hope.
Cheese and cliche... but still the truth.
I can spend much time going on about this book and how it struck a chord with me, but let's focus on the simple fact that it gave me something to chew on. It is often the case that books pretend to be profound when in truth, they are easy teasers that are quite easily willing to give you their secrets after a few minutes of tussling with them.
Not this book.
Christopher Rice manages to always give you just the right amount of who-did-what-to-who to leave you with new and unanswered questions each time, therefore propelling you further into a story that battles with the loss of innocence, the confusion of youth and the fear of the unknown.
The erratic movement between POV is actually refreshing as far as I'm concerned and each character contributes, in however small a manner, to a greater scheme. From the main character Stephen, who acts as the world's punching bag most of the time, to Trish Ducote, notable more for her substantial absence from both the book and her daughters life, each character had a reason. It was heartening to me, actually, that there were few peripheral characters and that only those who were necessary for the story were used for extended periods.
Does the story have a point?
Definitely. The only problem is, it offers us no solution to the problems it presents us with. It offers no answers to any moral dilemma the reader is presented with.
Is it a bad thing?
Not at all. As with our own lives, the characters find no solutions to their own problems, thus leaving them unable to give us any solutions. The characters face the problems, but stumble over them as stunted youths (which they mostly are) rather than process them and deal with them since they've never learned how to do that (the adult characters don't do a great job of passing on any pearls of wisdom.)
The story does, however, leave us with the one thing the characters do have though. Hope.
Cheese and cliche... but still the truth.
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