The book also gives us an overall perspective and influence of Tiger on Matt and his character modification and choices in life. It is through the experiences, guidance of Tiger and Mark as well as his own experiences and mistakes that taught Matt the limits and giveaways of a standing relationship.
His self-realization of learning who he was through his own shoes and not by walking around in someone else's shoes was a profound piece of writing. What helped him get to this point and form a closer bond with his uncle was founding out the main reason why the family was resentful towards Tiger. He learned a lot more about himself through analyzing Tiger's relationship with Mark. Tiger taught him the overall challenges one has to face in nurturing and feasting a relationship with certain situations. This further helps him establish an affectionate relationship with his old friend when he discovers the secret crush he had had on Matt after their reunion.
When reading the book, I felt that it was very true to the overall anticipations, fears, the trials, the vulnerability, the love, the gullibility, the inexperience, the idiocy and the envy that comes with stepping into any relationship and wanting it to last the test of times.
In a nutshell, the novel explores all the above emotional and sexual challenges of and an 18-year surfer from the state of North Carolina and how he learns to be comfortable in his own skin without being too caught up about the ways of the world and fighting for what his heart, mind, body and soul desires.
The expressions used are as direct and unforgettable as a memorable cricket match, relating very lucidly the distinctiveness of Matt's life story with its exclusive honesty, theme, and situations. The greatest achievement of this book was to beautifully...
Matt's story of overcoming his own doubts, growing to be comfortable with himself and his desires will encourage most readers to be brave enough to fight for what the want and know themselves when faced with similar situations. Matt's layered personality show him as a character built after going through tough phases and a mature observation capability which is very rare overall.
The appreciation and ability with which this novel has been written was very lucidly expressed in the Lambda Book Report which said "Jay Quinn is a worthy successor to such phenomenal Southern writers as Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, Jim Grimsley, and Dorothy Allison. The beauty of his prose and the strength of his characters are apparent from the opening sentence. THIS BOOK IS A SHEER JOY TO READ."
This particular book has the potential and writing dexterity to be ranked amongst classics like The Front Runner for all the supportive bisexual and gay adolescents. Quinn is able to make this novel not only address the ' coming-of-age ' in a language and style that is homely and familiar for the region he writes for and about.
With the gay phenomenon growing in reality, the novels have embraced it more and more to the length that it has become somewhat of a rerun of our favorite sitcom, and "Metes and Bounds" by Jay Quinn is another fascinating and captivating addition to the package of the reruns!!
References www.librarything.com www.powells.com www.findarticles.com
Book Review
