However, she won’t believe him and seduces him. He admits as much to his black college friend Cherie. He’s informed that he is gay by the dual character Carolann aka Chrystal. He likes blondes, such as Todd, who definitely isn’t. He suspects Efrem’s gay, but doesn’t fancy him. He prefers the script of the Boys in the Band. Johnnie knows he’s different, but not in the way of the teenage experiences in Catcher in the Rye. And as for directing, though his burgeoning feelings are ever-present – if he gets over-stimulated he deflates by reciting the Lord is my Shepherd over and over again! – he never takes the lead in expressing and sharing them. He’s the first person narrator throughout, but he doesn’t get the star lead in a college play he’s set his heart on. Johnnie’s studying English, hoping to go to UCLA, but what he writes is less movie-script than a musical song titles and lyrics feature prominently. ‘May your life be a movie in which you are Orson Welles: Write it – direct it – star in it.’ On page one of this coming-out, coming-of-age novel the black hero Johnnie Ray Rousseau has his college yearbook signed by his best friend Efrem. So music revelation was the best I took from this story.Published by Arsenal Pulp Press - Little Sister’s Classics no.6. However, this part was actually kind of positive because I wasn't lazy, so I was hanging on the internet checking many of the hits mentioned in the book and discovered some amazing melodies I've never heard before. Because many times mentioning of the certain song was an answer or description of the situation, emotion, etc. There are way too many music references and for someone (like me) who is unfamiliar with US pop music from 70s or so this was kind of tricky.

I always think 'OK just finish and lets move one with the story'. OK I don't mind sex but I always find it in literature kind of unnecessary especially in huge amounts. Too much of even humour becomes kind of bland, even annoying. I like humour indeed but 'till certain point. I didn't find resemblance between Johnnie Ray Rousseau in 'Blackbird' and the one in 'Eight Days a Week'.

So I was hoping that the atmosphere from 'Blackbird' will be transmitted in this one as well. This is sequel of very good indeed, 'Blackbird' but this one has been written and published before 'Blackbird'.

Blackbird by Larry Duplechan