Breakfast with Scot

Less than 200 pages long this was a quick, in-one-sitting read. At first blush I would call this story "quirky" for the simple fact that all of the characters have their issues. What makes this fun to read is how they deal with those issues as well as each other. This is a story about relationships and relating to people around you. The point of view is told from Italian art magazine editor, Ed. Ed and his chiropractor partner, Sam, have become guardians to eleven year old Scot. Scot doesn't fit in for a multitude of reasons. For one, Ed and Sam have never wanted children. For another, Scot is the child of Sam's brother's girlfriend, only the brother is not the biological father. Topping it all of is Scot's unique personality; his show more affinity for hand soaps and charm bracelets. While Ed and Sam are homosexuals they are not sure how to deal with Scot on any of these levels. As the reader you want them to not only work it out but work it out as a happy ending. show less

My impression based on the first few chapters was not good. I thought the author’s first-person narrative was all over the place and I just was not in tune with his writing style. But then I adjusted to the style and I have to admit that there was quite a bit of charm and a whole lot of really funny, dry wit.

The story revolves around a gay couple who never planned or wanted to have a child, but through some unusual circumstances became guardians to 11-year-old Scot, who was the son of the girlfriend of the brother of one of the couple. (Got that straight?) Scot’s mother was a drug addict and had just killed herself by OD-ing, and her boyfriend was too irresponsible to take the kid, so he pawns him off on his gay brother, Sam. show more Naturally Scot is pretty emotionally mixed up and he’s a quirky kid who is a bit of a sissy and seems destined to become a drag queen.

The narrator of the story is Ed, Sam’s partner. Where the charm comes in is through Ed’s hilarious observations, his feeling of being overwhelmed by a situation he never wanted or planned for, and then gently being won over to love and understand this peculiar child, and finally becoming so attached that he couldn’t imagine life without him. Once I became acclimated to Michael Downing’s writing style, I found the characters to be endearing, and I really enjoyed this book. show less

For one of the first times ever, I have to say that the movie is better than the book. Let me explain.

I picked up Breakfast With Scot after reading a review of the book on a GLBT bookstore's website. I'm a huge fan of the movie, so I figure I'd love the book as well. And I did, just not as much as the movie... First of all, the book is written in first person. I, personally, am not that much of a fan of first-person written works. When it comes to fanfiction, I'll skip it altogether. But I gave the book a chance.

The book deviates from the movie in several ways, all of which are pretty enjoyable. The deeper delving into how Scot came to live with Sam and Ed, the more loathing section about Billy (Sam's brother), and more of an show more interaction between Ed and Scot. It was pretty fun to read - I may be a slow reader, but I read the whole book in less than 24 hours, using only my free time (plane ride, reading before bedtime, etc).

That said, I honestly think the movie has more heart. But I'm still glad that I read this. show less

They made a movie out of this, but I haven't seen it yet. I read this book before I took a week-long writing course from its author, M. Downing. I didn't think much of the book, but I absolutely fell in love with the man. He is warm, generous, dedicated to writing and smart as hell. I heard him read a passage from the novel later in the week, and his rendition of it changed my mind about the novel. Here's the key to the book: imagine the narrator as a very good, very moral, and very kind gentleman telling you about his life. This softens some of the sections that can otherwise come off as mean-spirited, and renders them good-naturedly satirical, as the author intended,IMHO.

I loved this book. I don't think it steps wrong. I adored how it avoided changing voice and its sweetness.

Delightful book.

Liest sich gut und ist gut.