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A Man and His Pride

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A Man and His Pride

By: Luke Rutledge
Narrated by: Kieran McGrath
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Summary
 Sometimes life can be hard - until the right person shows you the way.

Despite coming out years ago, twenty-six-year-old Sean Preston has never been one to shout his sexuality from the rooftops. When his relationship of three months comes to a humiliating end, he vows never to become emotionally attached again, falling into a cycle of hook-ups, booze and an unrelenting gym routine.

The rest of Sean's life isn't panning out how he hoped either. His job as an online troll moderator is testing his mental health, his best friend and former girlfriend still resents him for coming out, and even his own mother seems to blame him for a tragedy that tore their family apart. But it is his surprising connection with an 87-year-old nursing home resident that pushes his identity crisis to the brink.

Then Sean meets naive but kind nurse William, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. William is shy and inexperienced when it comes to the gay dating scene, and Sean offers to show him the way - but it turns out William has a few unexpected life lessons to offer in return . . . and when it comes to forgiveness and self-love, Sean has a lot to learn.

Set in Brisbane during Australia's 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite, A Man and His Pride is an exuberant and deeply moving story that celebrates some of the many ways to be gay, and shows that finding your pride is a journey - one you cannot take alone. Coming of Age Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Feel-Good Tear-jerking
All stars
Most relevant
Loved it. Took only 3 sessions to complete this book as I couldn't stop listening. John Boyne describes this perfectly "‘Funny, moving, and with energy to burn"

Absolute Joy

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I really enjoyed this story set in my own hometown during the marriage equality plebiscite. A gay man self-sabotages his romantic and professional life as the result of a traumatic event from his teen years. The narration was perfect and characters were well differentiated. Highly recommended, especially if you’re after stories that centre queer experiences and perspectives - and with an Australian focus and a bit of spice.

Engaging character-driven story

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Coming from Brisbane myself (leaving decades ago), I was fascinated to read this story of contemporary Brisbane life, especially around the gay scene. Unlike novels by David Malouf and Thea Astley, it is not a 'literary novel', however exactly one defines that. I found the writing pedestrian at times, but I was drawn in by the characters and plot. Sean Preston is not a likeable character at first, being so determined to judge others by their muscle development, teeth and status. It becomes apparent that he doesn't like himself very much either, and for all his success in attracting hot men, he has little sense of self-esteem, or of where his life is going. I liked the way his friendship with William developed, cautiously at first, but gradually he sees how much William has to offer him, if he could get out of his narrow existence where sex and appearance are everything. I found all this involving and well-told, and Luke Rutledge is to be congratulated on this, his first published novel. The reader of the audio book, Kieran McGrath, does a fine job, though with some mispronunciations - do book readings have producers these days?

Well-told story of gay relationships

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An uplifting story of the journey of transformation. Witty, humorous and raw. A great story - highly recommended!

Beautiful emotional story

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A comforting & enjoyable read with plenty of sweet moments. Ride through the highs & lows of a man’s journey to friendship & self acceptance.

Well balanced read

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