The Backlot Gay Book Forum discussion

Whenever I need some light and calm gay-themed reading material to soothe the fevered brow, I go back to my tried and tested copy of Mandal's Dandelion Clock; not a fast paced action read with lots of hawt M-on-M action romance. Rather more like a “visit with friends over a nice cup of tea at the kitchen table, looking out to a herbaceous border through a gingham-curtain framed window” type of read. A warmly engaging reading experience.

The story has two main arcs, part one where David meets Rob at the train station and brings home a lost waif and part two, where David and Rob has to overcome a multitude of internal obstacles and barriers to find the strength to love. Mandal explores the inner thoughts and struggles of each of these two main protagonists so well, the dialogue and interactions never fails to move me emotionally (the ending of the plot part one leaves me feeling bereft each time). Sometimes the POV switches unexpected and without warning but this is a minor quibble. I’ve re-read this as a comfort read several times over the years and I always finish up with a big smile on my face.

The book is not entirely devoid of hot potato material however … there’s a not insignificant age-gap between David and Rob that some might have concerns about, and without giving away too much, post-traumatic reactions from unwanted sexual interference gets some minor coverage. The supporting cast of characters – best friends, co-workers, parents help flesh out these two main characters’ lives and one or two are quite well fleshed out as well.

This title is not available on Kindle (as yet) but I strongly recommend readers to get hold of a second-hand copy as it’s well worth the read, it is almost as good as Grimsley’s Comfort and Joy IMO.

Now I read this book a few years ago but I remember quite a bit about it which is a good sign, I think. I remember that I enjoyed it and that I have kept it to read again.
What I particularly liked about the book was that neither of the protagonists were impossibly handsome, wealthy, charismatic, virile (etc.) examples of manhood, in fact David, the older of the two, is relatively inexperienced. In other words I liked their ordinariness and I also like the suburban setting, a milieu I recognise. David is a kind person who does a younger homeless man a good deed and worries about his own motives for this action. Rob is wary of the older man's intentions but also grateful for David's benevolence. It takes the two (David and Rob) quite a while to get together sexually and when they do the sex is nicely written and not overly graphic, which I also liked. There are obstacles to be overcome and baggage to be sorted through but we are never in any doubt that the two will end happily.
So, it is a cozy read rather than a roller-coaster of overheated passions and I liked that. I wish I could find more books like it.

Martin wrote: "What I particularly liked about the book was that neither of the protagonists were impossibly handsome, wealthy, charismatic, virile (etc.) examples of manhood, in fact David, the older of the two, is relatively inexperienced. In other words I liked their ordinariness and I also like the suburban setting, a milieu I recognise."

I agree Martin ... it's wonderful to see common-man characters in ordinary suburban settings.

So much of the M-M romance trope features guys with incredible bodies, ageless looks, unbelievable endowments - who work as firemen, FBI agents, porn stars, call boys, high powered execs or IT millionaires or are beings with superhuman powers or shape-shifting prowess. One can have 'too much' escapist exotica methinks.

Just joined this group. I read and enjoyed this book a lot and wanted to discuss it at the time. But when I looked at the discussion threads on The Dandelion Clock I didn't see this discussion. I'd urge you to put a link in these threads so that folks who ARE interested in discussing these things can find it.

I identified with the older man in this tale as I have actually taken a few young guys home and gotten them back on track. I've never taken one into my life like the guy here but it's always been perennial fantasy I suppose. I like to think I have a good heart and I do have a tendency toward nurturing strays that gets me involved in these situations but I'm also pretty practical so I'm always a bit guarded in these situations.

This book really explored some of these thoughts in what, (to me anyway) seemed a very realistic manner.

Welcome to the group Stephen. I'm glad you enjoyed this book - it remains one of my favorites despite years of M-M genre reading. I've read several of Mandal's titles and this remains his best book. He's not written anything in recent years and an internet search for him has not turned up much at all. I believe I read somewhere in an interview he reveals he struggles with depression so hope he's not debilitated.

Good on you for being a Good Samaritan. Have you read either Sidecar or The City Kid which have similar themes but presents different results/consequences?

I did read The City Kid but it's been a while and I don't really recall it that well. Another book along these same lines was The Boy In The Book That wasn't as good.