Tommy's Tale: A Novel of Sex, Confusion, and Happy Endings

I enjoyed this book, having read Alan's recent autobiography 'Not My Father's Son' I was keen to see what else he had wrote - albeit fiction. This book is more a series of social ramblings. Though realistic, it's not so much a story as it is a character portrait. Characters have to be very bold if you're going to write a book purely about them (and not a larger picture.) which 'Tommy' does not quite live up to. Alan states that this book is in no way autobiographical and is purely fiction. Though as his new introduction discusses, it becomes increasingly obvious that he is a heavy influence. This book is essentially a more flamboyant retelling of his younger years. Very graphic and detailed - you'll be left aroused, disgusted or both.

It's Alan Cumming's first book so I didn't expect too much from a literary point. I was entertained and it kept me amused for a couple of hours (I'm a fast reader). His second book is much much better, but of course, it's a totally different subject. Tommy is very likeable and I can relate to him, I think we all go through those phases at some point in our life. Some more than others and some not at all (referring to sex and drugs) but we all have hopes, dreams, fears and anxieties. If you see this book somewhere it's worth picking up and reading it.

I enjoyed the book - it's not high literature but it's a good story well told, especially when it comes to the more meaningful relationships in the book, between friends, partners or adult/child. It's VERY explicit both around drugs and around sex. If you can't handle that, don't buy it. If you try anyway, don't complain about it later - you've been warned :)!

Awful

This is the story of Tommy’s pre-thirtieth birthday emotional crisis. A self confessed party boy, Tommy is also a bi-sexual nymphomaniac who is not afraid of taking recreational drugs on a regular basis.However he is harbouring a secret, a secret he feels unable even to share with his two closest confidants Bobby and Sadie, and defiantly not with Charlie his current special-friend. He wants a baby! There is one major obstacle to reaching this goal in that Tommy feels unable to commit to an appropriate partner. The two main reasons for this are firstly that he can't bring himself to give up his lifestyle of excess and secondly he can’t mend his heart broken a year previously by India, the one true love of his life. Will Tom ever realise his dream?I loved this story and instantly fell in love with all of the major characters. I could relate so much to the brilliantly written passages where Tom’s angst ridden mind is left in freefall. As a reader I felt his pain but at the same time was laughing until it hurt as Tom because the author portrayed these feelings in such a funny way.I would suggest this book to anyone with a sense of humour and who doesn’t the very sexually explicit content. Alan Cumming, becoming a novelist was an excellent career move and I hope there are plenty more to come.

I loved Alan Cumming in The High Life and when I found out about the book I decided it would be equally funny. Luckily it was a good choice. I found myself laughing a few times despite the funny looks I got on the bus.Tommy's tale tells us of a bisexual man approaching 30 and evaluating his life. It tells of the love he has for his maybe boyfriend Charlie and Charlie's son Finn. Tommy would also like to be a Dad himself. Luckily he has two briliant friends in Sadie and Bobby that are there to help. Some of the passages are written so beautifully in fairytale style and work well in the book.There are sex and drug references in the book but I never got the impression they were there for the sake of it. They are part of Tommy's life and the story flows well. I had it finished in a day and a half. I found myself wanting to know what happened next which is a good sign that the writer has done enough to make you care about the characters.

A morality tale for the 21st century wrapped up in modern morals, street language, and a "healthy"(?) dose of drugs, Tommy's Tale is rich in gory detail and gallows humour yet, not unlike Tommy himself, shockingly thin in other areas.The main character is perversely confused and self-destructive, surrounded by impossibly supportive people in highly implausable situations. The conclusion in particular sounds an unconvincing note, straying as it does into wish-fulfillment fantasy for the bisexual wanting "the best of both worlds".Then again, it IS a fairy tale!

This is the story of Tommy’s pre-thirtieth birthday emotional crisis. A self confessed party boy, Tommy is also a bi-sexual nymphomaniac who is not afraid of taking recreational drugs through every available orifice.However he harbouring a secret, a secret he feels unable even to share with his two closest confidants Bobby and Sadie, and defiantly not with Charlie his current special-friend. He wants a baby! There is one major obstacle to reaching this goal in that Tommy feels unable to commit to an appropriate partner. The two main reasons for this are firstly that he feels unable to give up his lifestyle of excess and secondly he can’t mend his heart broken by India, the one true love of his life a year previously. Will Tom ever realise his dream?I loved this story and instantly fell in love with all of the major characters. I could relate so much to the brilliantly written passages where Tom’s angst ridden mind is laid bare. As a reader I felt his pain but at the same time was laughing until it hurt as Tom was laughing at himself.I would suggest this book to anyone with a sense of humour and who doesn’t the very sexually explicit content. Alan Cumming, becoming a novelist was an excellent career move and I hope there are plenty more to come.

I really really like Alan Cumming and I def wanted to love this book. I found it a tad bit confusing in the very beginning as his bf's name is Charlie but he also calls coke Charlie. There is the whole fast pace sex and drugs lifestyle. The book is true to it's description It's about a man who is basically at a turning point in his life where he needs to grow up but is a bit reluctant. It's like he started having a fun relationship then it started to get too scary as the other person began to want more...so basically any friends with benefits situation. Tommy has a lot of emotions and childish ways he tries to put behind him. It's about the transition and realization. I got close to the end and accident skipped to the end because I was pretty sure I knew what was going to happen and needed to confirm it. I was right. I haven't finished reading the in-between part but I will to fully cross the book of my list. Not a bad read, not the most exciting. Some parts get really good but its a bit all over at times. I would give another Alan Cumming book a read.

I love how Alan Cumming writes. This book is only for people who can handle a quite out there lifestyle and have an open mind. If you do then read this book. Alan is an extremely talented writer and I would buy anymore new books he releases. I have read all of his books so far and loved this one.

I ordered my book on november 18th and didn't get it until december 18th. other than that, the book arrived in great condition!as for the book itself, it is WONDERFUL! not everyone's taste, obviously. there are two or three sexual scenes that go into extreme detail and a lot of drug references. With that said, i read it for the first time in middle school. i was able to handle it, but for most people i would say AT LEAST 15 before someone would be old enough to handle it. it also has many gay and lesbian scenes. however it is the most amazing book. it is so well written and i think that anyone even the least bit interested should read it.

This book reminded me of Nick Hornby's About A Boy, except with more drugs, sex and rock and roll. The writing is very gimmicky and easy to read. In fact, I'd read the whole thing in one sitting. However, it's enjoyable much the same way The Avengers movie was enjoyable - sure it has its themes and messages, but it doesn't really tell you anything profound or groundbreaking. However, it's a fun journey nonetheless. Perfect if you want to read something that you don't have to think hard about.

is this ever bad! I suppose some people may get into it, but I am not one of them. First of all the narrator is really, really annoying. Shallow, dramatic (mostly self-created...), whiney, narcissistic,and way too chatty. It's difficult to get beyond a character that you really want to hit up-side the head and say "shut up, already!" There a couple of not bad supporting characters, some sloppy sex and drugs, and way too many asides. It's hardly as witty as it claims to be. Proceed with caution.By the way: I left my copy on the Delta shuttle. If you found it, don't hate me.

What can I say? Great book by one of my favorite people. Happy to add this signed first edition to my collection.

great book

returned

Fun read. I liked that Tommy was a "real" person with real issues -- and had friends to help pull him back from the edge.