Available:*
Material Type | Library | Call Number | Item Barcode | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book | Searching... Andover - Memorial Hall Library | FICTION HALL | 31330009286596 | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Burlington Public Library | F HALL | 32116003945876 | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Chelmsford Public Library | FIC/HALL | 31480011635056 | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Haverhill Public Library | FIC/HALL A | 31479007592131 | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Lowell - Pollard Memorial Library | FIC HALL | 31481005668970 | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... Methuen - Nevins Memorial Library | FIC HAL | 31548003403285 | Searching... Unknown |
| Book | Searching... North Andover - Stevens Memorial Library | F HALL | 31478010219096 | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
From the acclaimed author of BOYFRIEND MATERIAL comes a deeply emotional romance about heartbreak, hope, and learning to love against all the odds.
Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on hope, happiness, and--most of all--himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people's expectations.
Then a chance encounter throws him into the path of Essex-born Darian Taylor. Flashy and loud, radiant and full of life, Darian couldn't be more different...and yet he makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it's like to step beyond the boundaries of his anxiety. But Ash has been living in his own shadow for so long that he can no longer see a way out. Can a man who doesn't trust himself ever trust in happiness? And how can someone who doesn't believe in happiness ever fight for his own?
Alexis Hall's iconic Glitterland has been revised and expanded, with extensive bonus content and a stunning new cover by Elizabeth Turner Stokes. Bonus content includes:
Author Annotations: Alexis Hall's insights and commentary threaded through the novel Shadowland: a brand new scene exploring Niall and Max's complex relationship The Glass Menagerie: an entertaining look at an in-universe Rik Glass novel A Letter from the Author discussing the experience of writing Glitterland Darian's Nanny Dot's Cottage Pie and Aftermath, brought together from the original releaseReviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
There is a lot to be titillated by in this delightful gay romance from Hall (Boyfriend Material), the first in his Spires Series. Ash Winters, a reasonably successful London novelist with bipolar disorder, meets Darian Taylor, a glitzy, self-tanned Essex fashion model, at a nightclub. After a few initial hiccups, these polar opposites fall into a shockingly successful relationship as Darian's good cheer coaxes Ash into situations outside of his comfort zone. Though Hall has a sensitive hand with Ash's mental illness throughout, the happy relationship results in an almost unbelievably huge alteration in Ash's personality and approach to the world. Hall writes Darian's dialogue in Essex dialect--suggesting, for example, that the inscription to Ash's latest novel should read, "To the geeza what I slept wif and then done a runner on in the middle of the night, making 'im feel like a right slapper?" This near-caricature has a distracting effect and distances readers from the narrative, especially as none of the other characters speak with comparable dialectical mannerisms. Still, Hall's trademark humor and heart shine through. It's a cheery, hopeful love story proving that those with mental illness can have just as much fun--and sex--as those without. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callahan, Handspun Literary. (Jan.)
Kirkus Review
A one-night stand sparkles far beyond first impressions. Ash Winters is trapped. His life has to be defined by his routines, which he clings to as his only hope as he recovers from severe depression and a suicide attempt. He avoids contact with friends, his sex life is unsatisfying, and his promising career as a writer has been derailed. But he feels obligated to make it from London to Brighton for his friend's stag party, and it's good that he does, because across the dance floor he sees Darian Taylor, a charming, baffling, "glittering pirate of a man," an aspiring model from Essex. They have an electric sexual encounter, but Ash runs away, a panic attack having been triggered when he wakes in a strange place. He's plunged into another depressive episode. When he reemerges, Darian finds him at a book signing, and despite his anger, they reconnect (quite intimately, over Ash's desk). As they continue to spend time together, Ash starts to think maybe he could build a new life with Darian--but eventually he pushes Darian away so cruelly that he might not return. This is a republication of Hall's first book, originally published in 2013, and this new edition has some changes but will be recognizable to readers of the original. Most importantly, it still includes the same extremely Essex voice ascribed to Darian with every sentence of dialogue; this isn't for all readers, but it is remarkably consistent ("hunjed pahcent" comes up a lot), and even when Darian borders on farce it can't dampen the clear passion the two men have for each other. Hall's command of tropes and ability to consistently deliver fantastically explicit writing remain top-notch, though fans will notice that while this book is solid, the writing is a bit clumsy compared to recent releases, with some confusing dialogue formatting that can detract from the story. Still, there's a reason this book, which is the first in the cult favorite Spires series, has had avid readers for years, and it's because it has the heady combination of red-hot sex scenes with genuine emotional connection that Hall does so well. The clear content guidance at the start of the book is a grace note that underscores the blunt but sensitive treatment of Ash's mental health and shouldn't be skipped. A shimmery and sexy start to the reissuing of a beloved m/m contemporary romance series. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
Ash Winters suffers from bipolar disorder. His illness has channeled his life away from being the literary darling of London into a more noirish life as a crime novelist; he rarely leaves home without suffering anxiety attacks. While struggling with his anxiety at a bachelor party for a friend, Ash meets the most ridiculous man he's ever seen, with overly styled hair, orange spray tan, an obsession with fashion, and an exuberant personality. Essex boy Darian Taylor is pursuing a modeling career and enjoys his hookup with Ash until Ash sneaks out in the middle of the night. When the two men meet again at a book autographing event, Ash realizes he hasn't been able to forget his "glitter pirate" and struggles to keep Darian in his life without exposing his illness. But Darian, while not Ash's intellectual equal by his own admission, is years ahead of Ash in understanding himself and demanding respect. Darian is willing to support Ash but not at the cost to his self-respect. Verdict Think Savile Row meets Jersey Shore. Hall's debut novel captures the roller-coaster ride of bipolar disorder through Ash, a man not always easy to like but one readers can understand. Writing short, focused paragraphs denoting depression and disinterest and longer, disjointed paragraphs denoting mania and obsession, Hall provides a view of bipolar disorder from the inside. In addition, Darian's character is a joy, with his simple albeit humorously shallow outlook on life. By turns laugh-out-loud funny and tragically sad, Hall's novel draws readers into this wonderful glitter-ball of a world. Highly recommended.-Melanie C. Duncan, Shurling Lib., Macon, GA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.