On Picking Fruit

A very charming and delightful read. I related to more than one of the characterspersonally. I look forward to more adventures with this very personable icon. I highly recommend this fun filled, witty and all to real look at gay dating.

One of those stories where some of us will say "I know those people", as their names pop into your head from your past and even your present. For a first attempt, Arthur Wooten has captured so many familiar moments and emotions. To a certain extent, I felt somewhat cheated. The book pulls you in and before you know it, you have finished it, hungry for more. Wooten's timing and quick wit can only be enhanced with a sequel and I surely hope he will have one soon. I left this book saying "what would Curtis do" and no matter how hard you try to do the opposite, you can identify with how easy it is to get consumed by the process of "picking fruit" and having done just what Curtis did.. well done and thanks for a reality check.

BRAVO! FINALLY A NOVEL ABOUT THE OFTEN INVISIBLE MINORITY IN GAY LITERATURE - THE MIDDLE AGED MAN. ARTHUR WOOTEN ESCORTS US ON A PERSONAL JOURNEY THAT IS BOTH HYSTERICALLY FUNNY AND AT TIMES, HEARTBREAKINGLY HONEST. "ON PICKING FRUIT" IS A GIFT OF THIS TALENTED WRITER'S HUMANITY. YEARS AGO, WHEN LILY TOMLIN WAS ASKED WHAT SHE WANTED THE AUDIENCE TO GET OUT OF "SEARCH FOR SIGNS", SHE RESPONDED WITH A QUOTE FROM JANE WAGNER, WHO SAID, " I WANT THE AUDIENCE TO LEAVE WITH A HIGHER OPINION OF THEMSELVES." I NEVER LIKE TO COMPARE ONE PERSON'S WORK WITH ANOTHER, BUT I THINK THAT THOSE OF US WHO WANDER DOWN MR. WOOTEN'S YELLOW BRICK ROAD OF ROMANTIC MISADVENTURES, WILL CLOSE THE BOOK WITH A HIGHER OPINION OF THEMSELVES, TOO. I KNOW I DID.

This sparkling book is about the journey we all undertake to find love, connection, and meaning in our lives and our relationships. It's about the human drama: the mistakes we make; the foibles we encounter--our own and other people's; the lessons we learn; and the mishaps that weave through our best intentions. The characters are dynamic, poignant, comical, intelligent; the writing is witty and elegant; the story is engaging, rueful, surprising. The book is a pleasurable and touching romp through the dating scene in all its grand and goofy glory. Once it's started, it's hard to put down!

I just finished On Picking Fruit, by Arthur Wooten, a book I was given as a gift by a friend who had loved it very much. I was surprised that it captured my attention so quickly. I think I read through it at a record pace, because I kept thinking, "It can't stay this good, this entertaining. As soon as the author drops the ball, I'll put it down." I stop reading to sleep and later to get on or off at my train stop. It was so funny that I actually caught myself laughing out loud, embarrassing myself at work and later on the train ride home. The biggest surprise of all was that the lead character went from someone I saw as ridiculously funny to someone I felt such a connection with. Not because our lives were similar, but because he was doing the best he could with the insane and hysterical curves that life was throwing at him. The ending was the biggest surprise of all. I wasn't paying attention and suddenly it was over. It felt like an old friend, who had paid me too short a visit, who was now gone. This was the most fun I've had reading an unknown writer in recent memory. For the writer's sake, I hope none of situations the main character goes through are based on real life.