Holleran definitely has a knack for dialogue and I can definitely relate to the strong, rather uncommunicative father. The main character is a bit too mother-obsessed for my taste, but his Army buddies do remind me of the circle that surrounded me when I came out. An interesting prelude to the time when the plague struck and we were all talking about "gay cancer." Makes me grateful that I came out to my parents when I did -- and did not have to hide in a similar double life much like what I imagine a spy lives. ( )