Band Fags!

A touching, nostalgic coming of age story about self-acceptance. Recommended. This book is set in a neighboring city to where I grew up, set during my teen years, and with characters close to the age I was at the time, so on that level alone, it was a complete blast as the author does not skimp on place and pop culture references. On the other hand, I can't say how it would read for people unfamiliar with the suburbs of Detroit, and constantly having the author explaining pronunciations like Gratiot and local trivia. Jack's voice was spot-on, using the slang and vocabulary at the time. More amazingly, the author does a beautiful job of seamlessly having Jack grow-up. Mr. Polito respects his characters, never treating their concerns, interests, or faux sense of maturity as something to mock, but simply allowing them to grow and evolve. This is the story of Jack and his friendship with Brad. Both of the characters are in the band and both are gay, but Jack is in denial -- grasping at any spark of interest in girls, even if it's a pale shadow of what he feels for Joey or Tom. Brad, his friend, is more self-aware, and aware of Jack's struggle too, but always willing to accept him -- and to forgive him when needed. I enjoyed the large cast of characters, most of whom remained at least peripherally in the story, and giving a sense of a populated teen community. They grew up with Jack and Grad too, even if we only see it out of the corner of our eyes. If I have any complaints, it's that Jack -- while always likable -- was frustrating with his hokey-pokey dance of I'm straight/very straight/so straight/maybe I'm not straight/no, I'm straight/okay, yeah, I don't think I'm straight/straight as an arrow/Or not so much... I understand completely that this was a hard decision, and growing up in the eighties know why the closet would seen safe, but it was still hard to read, especially since I'd like to have read more of his explorations. Still, one of the best books I've read in a while.

I really thought that this book was outstanding. Not only does it fully emerse you in the 80's and suburban Detroit, but what is most incredible about this book is how real the characters are. At times, you want to reach into the book and strangle Jack, the main character. In fact, with about a fifth of the book left I started yelling at the book, for real, shaking and yelling. Anyway, the relationships and characters jump out of the book, and the feelings that motivate them are completely authentic. The only problem is that because of the fact that some of the characters are gay, people who would absolutely love this book won't ever read it. It's really a great read and completely true to the emotions of anyone who ever felt like a "band fag" "drama queer" or just a plain old outsider.

First, a note to readers who may be turned off by the title: This book is not just about teens in high school band (for those not in the know, "band fags" has been used by kids in various cliques to describe all members of the high school band, not just gay ones). This novel includes a wide array of characters. As the old saying goes, "Never judge a book by its cover." That being said, "Band Fags" is a truly inspired title and, more important, a truly inspired book. And it is epic in size and scope, following its protagonist, Jack, from junior high through the day he leaves for college. The book is about Jack's inner turmoil, his struggle with his sexuality. And it's about friendship, from a best friend relationship through good friends and peripheral friends. The author brings to life fully realized and easily lovable characters. And he posits them in situations that are so very true to life. The primary thrust of the work is the relationship between Jack and his best friend Brad. It's emotional, honest, engaging and wonderful. The only fault with the book, however, is the next-to-last scene between Jack and Brad. Jack really should have been shown to openly and clearly embrace the truth he finds. Instead, he leaves it up to the reader to draw the conclusion. While the conclusion is pretty obvious, it would have been better, keeping with the spirit of the book and the subject matter, to see Jack embrace who he is, and especially communicate that clearly to best friend Brad, who knows himself very well. Still, the novel is so genuine, so spirited and so much fun that such a fault does not detract from the overall read. This is a great gay coming-of-age tale, a must-read for fans of this genre. And if you were or are a band fag, this is required reading!

This book was so evocative of my high school days as a band fag. It was a compelling story, with great characters who I wanted to learn more about. I highly recommend reading this one.

Hilarious and angst-ridden, "Band Fags" is a wonderful trip down memory lane for those of us who came of age in the eighties, sort of a gay version of that fantastic television show Freaks and Geeks - The Complete Series. Especially if you came out and enjoyed / endured high school band - and the stigma that goes along with it, you'll love this. Am I, or am I not? All the intense soul-searching - Frank captures it in a funny way, with wit and charm. He's also a superb writer and I whipped through the pages in mere hours, wanting "Jack" to hurry up and make the right choice! Whether you were a teen in the eighties, the sixties or the two thousands, you'll relate to these emotions, as they're universal. Read and be entertained. Rich Merritt, author of Code of Conduct and Secrets Of A Gay Marine Porn Star