Blake Fraina

I don't like Jimmy, our POV character, at all. Elliott makes me want to screech imprecations at him for being such a wussy. Adam annoys me, clueless hopeless wet Adam who can't figure out why he gets what he wants and then doesn't want it.

That said, Blake Fraina has written a well-crafted tale about people I hate like fury, and I think that's a good sign! This is a novel about the ways in which we humans fail to connect with ourselves (Adam, Elliott) or each other (Jim, all the women in the show more book with special emphasis on Amy), and what dire, horrible consequences that has in our lives. No one in this book is aware that being happy is a possibility, though Elliott is relentlessly chipper. It might look similar, but it's not the same.

The five stories of the book intertwine nicely, not leading into and out of each other so much as flowing inevitably and circuitously from each other's strongest and weakest points. The weakest story in the bunch is the last one, "Hidden History," because it of them all feels narrated, told, presented ex post facto, not lived before one's eyes as the others do.

I'd say the gay sexual content is sufficiently integral to the stories told that all but the most squeamish straight people should be able to read these hymns to dysfunction and its power without issue. I would encourage people in my Boomer generation to read the stories because, honestly, we just don't hear what Fraina's saying to us often enough: Actions have consequences, emotions have their own lives, and even the ones we leave are still with us. show less

If you’re looking for a heart and flowers gay romance, you’re barking up the wrong tree with “The King of Cats.” If you want a well written, disquieting, ugly, beautiful life story, then Jimmy Strange is your man. Only, it won’t be easy to get to know him. It will be a painful struggle, much like his life. He’s charming, he’s gifted, he’s elusive. All part of the author’s devious plan to unravel a life.

The structure of this novel is very unique, and can be difficult to show more adapt to at first. Five novellas is a trifle misleading. Each is a chapter in the life of Jimmy Strange, but they are not chronological, nor are they always directly about him. Often, we learn more about a person through the people they know and Fraina makes good use of this. The first novella takes place in 2002, where we meet a not very likeable British chap who starts a liaison with a young man named Elliott. Elliott is not all he appears to be and I quickly felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole. To top it off, Jimmy doesn’t even appear until the last couple of paragraphs. But, what we learn about Elliot is integral to understanding Jimmy. Each novella does the same in a different way; introducing first Elliot, then Lisa, then Adam, in a weaving path to get to Jimmy. It begins in 2002, jumps to back to 2001, then further back to 1995 before ending in the “present” of 2003. But, we are not left there. The last novella gives readers what most biographies give us in the beginning – the beginning. In 1987, we finally learn the uncomfortable story of Jimmy’s childhood and how it shaped him. And, the impact will leave readers stunned. Sure, this book could have been put in chronological order, but that is not how we meet people in real life. We learn about them from themselves, we learn about them from others, and rarely in sequence. So, the style is ideal and implemented flawlessly.

There is sex in the story. How could there not be? Sex, drugs and Rock n’ Roll. Jimmy is a musician and he has the stereotypical musician’s life, at least on the surface. But, the sex is not gratuitous. It has an influence on this story, on this life, and it is often not the least bit erotic. It can be hot, but more often leaves the reader feeling unsettled. As happens to people who aren’t certain about the sexual choices they’ve made, like Jimmy.

The writing in the book deserves five stars, hands down. It was obviously edited with care, and the writing was smooth. I continued to think about the book long after I finished the last page. But I gave it four stars for a reason, albeit a personal one. Jimmy Strange’s life is almost too real. This is not a feel good book. There is no happily ever after, there is only living. So, while the book was incredibly engaging and undeniably genuine, I was not satisfied at the end. I was left sad, because this life may very well exist for someone out there, and I want them, wanted Jimmy, to be happy. I highly recommend “The King of Cats” to those looking for a thought-provoking, sometimes harsh, sometimes disjointed, but always honest look at life. I’m glad I read it. But, those that need a happily every after will be quickly disillusioned. show less

King of Cats: A Life in Five Novellas is a tough novel to review without giving away all the secrets that make it such a fascinating, challenging and engrossing trip through the world of rock `n' roll, a trip most of us can only dream about. What author Blake Fraina manages to do in 236 pages is to create a vivid world, to conjure up an almost fairytale mythology of a band on the rise. And then she does what any good writer would do: she shatters all of our fantasies, all our preconceptions show more about the rock and roll superstar we've just become smitten with, the impossibly beautiful star who, even though he's a bit of a bad boy, manages to make us weak in the knees. The author strips away all the intoxicating glamor and the pretty facades. Sometimes she does it gently. Sometime she just rips the band-aid off without any warning at all. But the tool that Fraina uses to do this is real life. She picks at her characters and shows you the real people behind the "stars." And then she even makes you question how real the "real" person is. As the publisher's summary states: What makes a person fascinating? Is it what they hide or what they reveal? It's a question that Fraina asks and then gives hints about, but she never quite answers it, waiting for the reader, ultimately, to make up their minds about the characters she has created.

Now, I have to say, this novel is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It can, at times, be a tough read. Let's just say that if you are looking for a typical romance -- boy-meets-boy, boy-gets-boy, boy-and-boy-move-to-California-to-get-married -- you will be sorely disappointed. If your tastes run more to the authentic version of life, perhaps something along the lines of messed-up-boy-meets-messed-up-boy, boy-gets-boy, boy-doesn't-want-boy-but-can't-break-away, then this may be the book for you. There is a strong sense of realism woven into this story and like real life, sometimes it just ain't pretty. For me, it was fascinating from beginning to end. show less

Requested a copy from the author to review.

3.5 stars for me on this one.

The read is comprised of several snap shots of the MC Jimmy's life. No sunshine and butterflies for Jimmy. I had a hard time finding anything to really like about Jimmy until the end and even then I just felt pity for him, but I had a greater understanding of what made him into the man he is. Elliot who is a partner of sorts for Jimmy is downright childish, crass, a bit bent (not in a good way) and completely show more manipulative to the point he actually enjoys the chaos he causes. I hated Elliot with a passion. I have to give Blake points in causing such a passionate response for a side character. The read is emotionally dark but managed to not be fundamentally angsty which was a pleasant surprise.

Looking for a light romance, go somewhere else.
Looking for a more real to life story where a man finds love only too late, this is the read for you. show less