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Title: Surprisingly Good!
Review: I am tired beyond belief of the pederast story: older guy, young boy/man. It's been done, it's been done, it's been done. But I stumbled on this novel totally by accident, was desperate for something to read, and was surprised. Remarkably surprised. It starts with a stray dog being killed and no one wanting to deal with the carcass and ends with the two main characters adopting another stray puppy. In between, House really sets up an interesting story of unwanted people (strays?) more desperate for love than they realize. He touches on AIDS, but doesn't dwell on it which was perfect for this story. The title hints at the subtle (Harris) and horrendous (Adrian) ways men abuse each other when all they really want is affection. Neither character is stock and House offers no easy answers or happy endings. Instead the end of the story has Harris and Adrian still en route with their new puppy, taking a breather on a shining, white salt flat.Good stuff!
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