Beantown Cubans

I've read Johnny Diaz' first two books and enjoyed them. This book adds a new personality, Carlos, who is indeed a sympathetic character. Sadly, Carlos' mother has recently died but Johnny softens the loss by letting Carlos and his dead mother communicate. Carlos' father is a universal type for gay boys---the macho, baseball loving, straight man, who just doesn't 'get' his son. It seems that there is no middle road for reconciliation, but Mama's intercessions and Carlos' good will, and even some effort by Papa help out. Johnny handles this situation deftly. He also gives us both a gay and a Cuban tour around Boston and Miami. Johnny Diaz has done a very good job with these unique characters.

Johnny Diaz has done it again!!!!!!!!!!! This book touches the heart of the reader for many reasons, specially the relationship between Carlos and his mom, it is really heart warming. In one way or another any gay man can relate to this book and its sensitivity. Also the relationship between Mikey and Tommy is handled in a way that it touches anyone who has been in troubled relationship. Thanks Johnny for writing all your books with respect,dignity, and in a way that is so enjoyable to read. You writing makes one proud of beign gay. Rafael ( MIAMI )

Carlos Martin is a 27 year old gay Cuban-American, a teacher who recently relocated from his family's home in Miami to Boston, following the death of his mother, to whom he was very close, leaving behind his sister and father. He never was very close to his father, and felt almost like an intruder when his mother was no longer there, so he thought it best to make a "fresh start" in a new city, even though it is very different in many ways. Thankfully, he quickly met Tommy Perez, a 29 year old Cuban who is also from Miami, and Tommy was able to show him around his new city, including the gay nightlife. Tommy is very sensitive to Carlos' family situation, and doesn't try to joke Carlos out of his belief that his mother still visits him regularly in his dreams. But it is clear that there are some unresolved issues with his family, which will need to be addressed before Carlos can really build a new life in Boston. Meanwhile, Tommy is dealing with the reemergence of his ex, Mikey, whom he broke up with because of his alcohol abuse. The question is whether Tommy can deal with being the supportive friend Mikey needs as he rehabs, without falling back into a lover relationship that may not be good for either one of them. The character of Tommy was introduced in Diaz' first book, "Boston Boys Club," and it is nice to get acquainted with him again. The author has a definite talent in featuring realistic, emotionally fully-developed characters in his stories, with whom most readers can easily identify and want to know better. I also like that his stories tend to include examples of reconciling with family members. In my opinion, this is the best of his three novels thus far, and I give it five spicy stars out of five.

Diaz, Johnny. "Beantown Cubans", Kensington, 2009. Gay Life from a Cuban Point of View Amos Lassen Johnny Diaz is back with a look at gay life from a Cuban point of view and like his other two books, "Miami Manhunt" and "Boston Boys Club"; this is the perfect summer read. Diaz looks at friendship, family and home and tells it like it is. Carlos is a cute 27 year old Cuban born gay man. He was raised in Miami and is now teaching school. He is trying to find a way to run away from the memories that he has of his mother who died recently and thinks that Boston is a good destination. It is far from South Beach and the crazy goings-on but when he moves in, he gets a huge dose of culture shock. He becomes friendly with Tommy Perez, another Miami escapee, who is a reporter for "The Boston Daily". Tommy takes Carlos out and shows him Boston and takes him to restaurants where he can Cuban food as well as gives him hints on the best way to be accepted by the very cliquish gay scene. Carlos soon finds his independence and learns about himself as he becomes a member of the Boston gay scene. The novel is as hot as a red-blooded Latin and Diaz writes with a sharp wit and a realistic hand. I went to school in Boston so I know what the scene there is and Diaz has captured it perfectly. Of course, there is the usual hunt of looking for love and Carlos is the perfect person to make that journey. Can I say anymore than the book is entertaining and amusing? I can--it is a wonderful look at GLBT life with its issues and craziness. The characters, especially Carlos, win you over from the first page and I felt that I did not want to let them go. Boston is sex-filled and so is this book. You really don't want to miss this one