This is the third book from Mark Roeder that I have read, after "The Nudo Twins" and "Disastrous Dates & Dream Boys." Many of Roeder's novels are part of "The Gay Youth Chronicles," so I was already familiar with Brendan and Casper from reading "Disastrous Dates & Dream Boys." Those sections were my least favorite because it felt like the plot was being re-told far too often. Getting to read the actual story helps get more into these characters and their story.
"A Better Place" definitely is dramatic. Various tragedies befall both characters, including rape, "straight therapy," death of a family member, and the deaths of two other boys that plays a part of the story at the end. While some people found this to be too overdramatic and unrealistic, I actually enjoyed watching Casper and Brendan overcome this series of misfortunes. However, the one thing I would have liked to see was more character growth. After going through all these things, I would think Casper and Brendan would change in some way. It felt like Roeder was giving the message that true love can overcome anything, and indeed Casper and Brendan's love is unwavering once they become a couple, but it would have been nice to see them grow as humans over the course of the novel. Another problem I must address was at the beginning of the novel, when Brendan's infatuation for Casper's cuteness suddenly becomes love. The development of feelings felt way too quick, and then because nothing in their relationship ever sours (including a moment of near infidelity late in the book which is squashed WAY too quickly), their relationship doesn't seem to change much either. Essentially, change and growth could have really done these characters well.
One other complaint was that the boys who appear later in the novel, Ethan and Nathan are almost copies of Brendan and Casper, which didn't bother me too much as I read the story, but is just pretty unrealistic in of itself.
Still, I quite like Casper. The beginning scenes with him dealing with his abusive brother and absent father really made me feel for him. Roeder did a great job with his scenes. And as dramatic as some of the scenes were, I responded to the drama in sections like the Cloverdale Center.
After reading two of Roeder's other novels, I found this one didn't have the same focus on love/sex and the push-and-pull of teenage hormones. And the repetitive nature that plagues some of his sections weren't as prevalent here. I definitely felt the drama and extremity of the plot actually helped the writing. So even though I wasn't engaged as much as I was by "The Nudo Twins," I do prefer this novel to "Disastrous Dates & Dream Boys," and in spite of the pretty basic writing style (which I just believe is Roeder's style), "A Better Place" offers more writing strength than his other works I've read thus far.
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
