Review by Booklist Review
An author-illustrator of nonfiction books for young readers (The Great Nijinsky, 2019 ), Curlee now writes an affecting memoir for older readers about his life as a gay man in the context of the AIDS pandemic. He begins, however, with an examination of the similarities between AIDS and COVID-19 before continuing into an account of his young life and evolution as a professional artist. His story takes an ominous turn when, in the early '80s, he sees an article in the New York Times about a rare "cancer" affecting gay men. From this point on, he tells two stories: one clinical and contextual about the disease and its evolution in the 1980s, and the second about its impact on his personal life, which is increasingly touched by the plague as many of his friends become ill. It strikes closest to home, however, when his partner, John, tests HIV positive; the story becomes a harrowing account of John's illness and, at the time, inevitable death. Curlee has written an important book, for, as he acknowledges, "AIDS still simmers in the United States," and so more good books about it are necessary--particularly those such as this that put a human face on it. This title belongs in every library.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This heartbreaking memoir by Curlee (The Great Nijinsky) chronicles "how it was to grow up and live as a gay man in the United States" before and during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Taking an elegiac tone, Curlee describes his childhood in 1960s North C arolina. Quick-moving subsequent chapters recall Curlee's experiences participating in the disco scene on Fire Island, his impulsive move to California in 1979, and his return to N.Y.C. in the early 1980s, where he and his friends struggled to understand why so many gay men were "dying horrible, gruesome deaths." While perceived comparisons to Covid-19, as outlined in an introduction, are minimally explored, Curlee briefly covers their medical and social differences and similarities, as well as the pervasive impact they each had on society. Sidebars about HIV/AIDS succinctly detail the facts, and Curlee's straightforward prose capably conveys the era's worsening bias and fear. Most powerful of all, however, is the novel's focus on Curlee's inner circle and the people he lost to the crisis, including his partner, making for a thought-provoking history about what it was like to live during that time, and a good start for further exploration. Extensive back matter concludes. Ages 12--up. Agent: Liz Nealon, Great Dog Literary. (June)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A firsthand account of living through the AIDS pandemic as a young, gay man in the U.S. Prolific author for young readers Curlee introduces teens to this topic by starting with Covid-19 as an empathic entryway to the past. He describes being a teenager in 1960s North Carolina, setting the scene in terms of technology and daily life and painting a picture of a time when sex was a secret kept by adults and homosexuality was only mentioned in joking or insulting ways. He goes on to chronicle how movements seeking equality across gender, sexuality, and race were interconnected and how the Stonewall uprising set the stage for a dazzling period of freedom and falling in love during the 1970s disco era in New York City. That fun-filled time came crashing down as many of Curlee's vibrant friends began to die sudden, mysterious deaths. As the book progresses, educational, historical, and scientific content in text boxes increasingly supplements the narrative, although its placement and layout are sometimes distracting. It can also become difficult to track all the different individuals who are introduced. However, Curlee's memoir, illustrated with personal photographs, is intimate and resonant as it presents the thrill of coming out and living openly and the fear and pain that followed when so many people he loved were taken from him too soon. Compelling and important. (important people, the origins of AIDS, author's note, musical references, source notes, select bibliography, image credits, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
