Laura Lee (1) (1969–)

An uncomfortable page-turner. I’m glad I read it, but glad to be finished. Not that the book is distasteful; it was just a foreign and unsettling topic for me. But that’s why I asked Lee for a review copy.

Lee’s protagonist is a middle-age minister who has lost his wife, and suddenly finds himself attracted to a young man, despite the church’s disapproval. They find it necessary to hide their friendship, which is both demeaning and spiritually draining. Shipwreck seems inevitable.

Lee show more writes with insight and flounce, and you just can’t put the darn thing down. The language is a bit crude in places, but appropriately so, as it does define the characters and our minister’s descent/growth (I’ll let you decide which). The story ends appropriately, which is all I dare say on that matter, except to promise it will leave you thinking about the not-so-subtle discrimination against sexual orientation in today’s Christianity, and the emotional scars and marginalizing it causes. show less

This is one of those books that is impossible to read without torturing sharing the most interesting bits with your friend/spouse/the stranger on the train sitting next to you.

The title is not quite accurate as the author herself confesses in the introduction. The book is broken into 80 categories of clichés, (Hope, Madness, Anger, Sex, etc.) which means there are many, many more than 80 clichés featured here. They are primarily English-origin, but every category also includes several show more international sayings, and whenever equivalents in other languages to a specific saying exists, she mentions them in the entry. So really, the balance feels more 50/50.

Breaking up the comprehensive listings are small breakout sections that cover a phrase more in-depth, and 1 question quizzes about foreign phrases and their meanings. Such as:

If a Dutch speaker says "It is as if an angel is pissing on your tongue." (Alsof er een engeltje over je tong piest.), what does he mean?
The meal is delicious
You speak beautifully
You are a great singer
You are lucky

Answer:
A. Apparently angel piss tastes like champagne

I'm quickly building a largish collection of language-origin books, so I found quite a few in this one that overlapped with others I've read lately, but my favourite still remains one that I've used for awhile, I could not have said where it came from until I read Speaking in Tongues, and it was included here too, as a favourite of the author's. It's Polish and I think it's the perfect way to say "sooo not my problem":

Not my circus, not my monkeys

Suitable for language lovers and those that want to torture share the love of language with friends and family. show less

This review is also post on Book Reviews & More by Kathy.

Laura Lee’s Angel is a thought provoking faith-based male/male romance. It is a realistic and emotional story that is quite compelling and full of emotions. It will challenge the reader to contemplate how many religions handle the subject of homosexuality in both their clergy and their congregation. It will also raise questions about how your own personal beliefs fit in with your church’s stance and teachings.

In the aftermath of show more his beloved wife’s death, Paul Tobin’s passion for his ministry has waned and he is basically going through the motions as he performs his religious duties. But his chance meeting with the much younger Ian Finnerty proves to be life altering in many ways. Ian is an alcoholic gay man whose life is dramatically different from Paul’s. Ian has no faith and he drinks his way from one night stand to another. In helping Ian conquer his addiction to alcohol, Paul finds the inspiration he has lost. But it is his attraction to Ian that brings the most changes to his life. Paul must reconcile his newfound sexuality with his own lifelong beliefs as well as those of his church and his congregation.

Angel is a very contemplative and spiritual novel. It is a little slow moving in the beginning, but it gains momentum once Ian and Paul begin their relationship. There is an emotional intimacy between Paul and Ian that initially brings the two men together and their transition from friends to lovers is unhurried. While Angel is a romance, it is not an erotic romance, and their sex scenes are not graphic.

Ian and Paul’s theological discussions are quite detailed and informative. It is through these talks that Paul finds a renewed zeal for his ministry and Ian gains a better understanding of religion. Paul is often at odds with his own convictions and he struggles with his emerging sexual attraction and love for Ian.

Angel by Laura Lee is an insightful view into the intricacies of religion and homosexuality. This beautifully written and moving work of literary fiction challenges the reader to examine what it means to be a Christian.

I received a complimentary copy for review. show less

While presenting a beautiful and enticing story to read, the author also forces you to re-evaluate and examine everything, as you get to see Paul and his journey of discovery. Paul is forced to examine his beliefs after realizing that the angelic man who he stumbled upon in the narthex was occupying his head and his heart in a way nothing had before. Contrasting what he now feels and knows, against the proclamations of his church, and the disapproval of his congregation; one crisis in show more Paul’s life is being replaced with another that will adjust his entire view on the world forevermore.

To simply label this book Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, GBLT Erotica, General Erotica and Religion & Spirituality Romance, as well as Contemporary Romance does not acknowledge the emotional impact of the story, nor do the writer justice. It truly is literary fiction, with multiple influences, great impact and a message for love being present in many ways, and from many sources.

This is not a GBLT erotic novel – the sex is not detailed, and although there is a love between two men, the more graphic and impactful scenes are brought by the poetic writing and descriptions of the emotional intimacy achieved between the two characters. However, it seems to be a need of publishers and readers to narrowly define genres, and most books with M/M intimate relationships seem to carry this marker.

What emerges is a surprisingly complex novel, able to incite discussion and evoke thought. The placement of excerpts, some theological others from historic texts but all focusing on mountains: their meaning and religious significance as the story progresses, subtly indicate the content and impact of each chapter as the story progresses to reach an inevitable climax.

I was provided a copy of the book by the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility. show less