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by: Michael Thomas Ford
List Price: $15.00Amazon.com's Price: $11.25 You Save: $3.75 (25%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780758210586
ISBN: 0758210582
Label: Kensington
Manufacturer: Kensington
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 352
Publication Date: August 01, 2007
Publisher: Kensington
Sales Rank: 174564
Studio: Kensington
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
In novels such as Last Summer and Looking For It, Michael Thomas Ford has honestly and lovingly explored the intimate details of gay men’s lives, from hot sex and lasting relationships to friendship and the search for family. Now he’s crafted his most extraordinary novel yet, a powerful saga of three friends and lovers whose story spans decades and whose bonds have finally come Full Circle.
History professor Ned Brummel is living happily with his partner of twelve years in small-town Maine when he receives a phone call from his estranged friend—Jack—telling him that another friend—Andy—is very ill and possibly near death. It is news that shatters the peace of his world for many reasons. And as Ned boards a plane to Chicago on his way to his friend’s bedside, he embarks on another journey into memory, examining the major events and small moments that have shaped his world and his relationships with these two very different, very important men.
Growing up together through the restrictive 1950’s and confusing ‘60’s, Jackson 'Jack' Grace and Ned Brummel took solace in their love for each other. But once they arrive at college in 1969 and meet handsome farm boy Andy Kowalski, everything changes. Despite Andy’s apparent heterosexuality, both Jack and Ned fall hard for him, straining their close friendship. Soon, the three men will become involved in a series of intense liaisons and bitter betrayals, coming together and flying apart, as they alternately hurt, love, shape, and heal one another over the course of years. From the heady, drug- and sex-fueled days of San Francisco in the wild seventies to the haunting spectre of AIDS in the eighties and the righteous activism of the nineties, their relationship transforms and grows, reflecting the changes going on around them. Now, together again in the most crucial and intimate of settings, Ned, Jack, and Andy have another chance to confront the damage of the past and embrace the bonds of friendship and love that have stood the test of time.
Full Circle is a wonderfully moving chronicle of three friends that is also an unflinching, triumphant celebration of the power of gay friendships, of the deep bonds forged despite strong obstacles, and of the love that is ultimately the most important thing we can ever share.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - serious, if flawed
"Full Circle" is a serious attempt to write a historic gay novel that covers the last half of the 20th century. In this it reminds me of, but is not as successful as, Felice Picano's "Like People in History." Ford's book reads too much like a timeline, going from major event to major event, with a liberal dose of unnecessary detail along the way. At times it seems like the author is simply lecturing, almost forgetting that these are the words of Ned, his narrator. The book's story, the relationship ... Read More
Rating:  - Insightful and Great for Younger Generation to Read
I enjoyed this book and looked forward to getting back to it before bed each night. Each section is full of interesting historic insights that should be a must read for the younger generation, especially those that deal with the reality of AIDS in the 80s and the devestation it bought on the gay community. Other areas of interest were the Harvey Milk assasination and Vietnam. While this book cover's a gay man's coming of age and his life journey the historic fabric is what I found to be of most interest. ... Read More
Rating:  - Full Circle
When a story hits home, then that's the making of great literature. The characters are in their prime of life, learning to cope as they grow olders. Mistakes are made, but can be overcome. Excellent reading.
Rating: - Ultimately, a frustrating book
I really give this ambitous, but (for me) ultimately frustrating book 2 1/2 stars, but I've rounded up. I did enjoy the early sections of the novel, which focused on the youth, college and army experiences of Ned, the main character. But once Ned leaves the army and moves to San Francisco, I grew frustrated with what seemed like an endless series of what I call "and thens." What I mean is that the story just became "and then I did this" "and then I met so and so" "and then I started taking drugs," etc. ... Read More
Rating: - A True Gay Classic
I've read Michael Thomas Ford's other books and was entertained and moved by such a talented and wonderful author. Sure, Last Summer and Looking For It could be called beach novels but the author seems to grow and mature with each new novel he publishes. And with Full Circle, I often wonder if this is his masterpiece or just a taste of the wonderful books to come. Upon picking up this beautiful piece of work, I found that I could not put it down! I was truly fascinated by the characters; cared for them. The ... Read More
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