Both of these novels combine as one book to show the desperation of a gay boy/man to find some positive model of how to have a loving romantic relationship. The characters continuously experienced an unavailability of positive models or even supportive allies throughout the books and explore various ultimately unhealthy methods of living as sexual beings. This was not a pleasant book to read (the thorough explanations of bathroom sex culture and prostitution were not necessary for me); nevertheless, it made some necessary points about what happens when a significant part of one's core self is continually constructed as "sick" by society. I found myself hoping that life would get better for the main character(s)as greater self-understanding was achieved. ( )