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Review:
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA-By hiding their sexual orientation, homosexuals hurt not only themselves, but also the people they love. Shame, fostered by a society which condemns what it does not understand, can destroy families, friendships, people.
The Original Press is pleased to announce the release of Two Paths To Now, a new novel by writer/ activist Dann Hazel. The book explores the effects of homosexuality on a family.
Two Paths To Now deals with a son, a mother, and a father who build an intricate triangle of deceit and misinformation in an effort to deal with issues they can barely understand.
In their attempt to "protect" their son, Gloria and Erik concoct a story about Erik's tragic death in a fiery automobile accident while Rusty was still a baby. Years later, Rusty finds out that while he is indeed part of a broken family, the circumstances are much different than he was led to believe. He finds his father, but not many answers. All along, Rusty deals with his own problems, and his fear of getting help leads him into more than one potentially tragic situation.
Because of Erik's homosexuality and a condemning social atmosphere, Rusty was denied the chance to know his father for most of his childhood. Two Paths To Now sheds new light on the true effects of the "family values" movement, and calls for a re-evaluation of its definition.
At a time when sexual orientation issues are at the forefront of debate, along comes a book which examines not only this issue, but the effects it can have on a family because of the fear and stigma attached to it. Two Paths To Now asserts, once and for all, that no matter who we are, love and understanding are the true "family values."
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The scarring effects of a family s secrets on an adolescent boy is the focus of Two Paths to Now a novel by Dann Hazel, just released by The Original Press.
Seventeen-year-old Rusty, struggling with his sexual identity, finally discovers that Gloria, his mother, has been lying to him for most of his young life. She has told him that his father, Erik, is dead, when in fact he is very much alive and residing in a city only one hundred miles away. However, the disclosure of the secret only begins a dramatic outpouring of other cover-ups which are revealed in a subtly played story. The novel culminates in a thunderous climax which transforms and ultimately reunites a family whose survival depends on its ability to cut through years of lies and deceptions.
Two Paths to Now defies labeling. On one level. it works as a rite of passage novel. but such categorization shortchanges its scope and impact. It is also a riveting psychological study of a family in turmoil that belies the political rhetoric of "family values" through its sensitive portrayal of a modern southern family coming to grips with homosexuality. The characters' ghostly encounters toward the end are so realistically crafted that readers may find themselves nervously looking over their shoulders. Ultimately, Hazel's story works as a mystery as it meticulously follows Rusty s efforts to discover both his history and his identity.
While large publishing houses often seem convinced that no cross-over market exists for novels which deal honestly with homosexuality, Hazel's novel proves otherwise. His gay characters are very much part of mainstream culture, and as in reality, live among gay, lesbian and straight citizens. But don't misunderstand. The novel certainly deals with homophobia and prejudice, but not in a way that casts any particular group as villains. In Two Paths to Now
However, readers should beware. In the novel's deceptively simple plot, the most poignant moments take readers quite by surprise. They will experience, in turn, anger, indignation, amusement and sadness. Only the most jaded readers will finish the novel without reaching for their handkerchiefs.
Two Paths to Now is a novel you won't easily forget. Without moralizing, it takes a refreshingly honest look at the celebration of human diversity, sexuality and family values. It is a thoroughly satisfying read.
