Product Description

A diverse group of men in a small New York town are struggling with dreams and desires. Mike Monaghan is the bartender at the Engine Room, a meeting place for the small but thriving community of gay man in Cold Falls. As Mike pours beer, wipes glasses and hears everything, he is witness to the men who come to Cold Falls looking for what they need - sex, direction, spiritual fulfilment and love.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129534 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

Another gripping and honest story from Ford
Looking For It; is a complex and stunningly penned novel by Michael Ford. After reading `Last Summer' I jumped at the chance to buy and read his other novels.

The story is centred around some prime characters: A barman who listens to everyone's problems - but no one listens to his. A priest who finally realises that God may not be enough. A homophobic young man who can't admit he's gay. The golden couple, whose lives are far from perfect. An old queen whose trying to grasp life without his dead husband. A fun loving man who really just wants someone to love him. An accountant whose afraid that being gay will disappoint his family.

All these characters are rich with personality and emotion. They all have a reason to be in the story. Ford has a way with creating fantastic characters and even better stories.

There are certain scenes that I found disturbing; but these scenes I found both upsetting and amazing. It shows you the writer has done his job in getting a response out of me. His scenes were so vivid and real. I felt the emotions of all the characters and for that I was immensely thankful for.

The downsides of the book? I felt some chapters (near the beginning) were long winded at times. I also felt that some characters didn't get enough "limelight." But other than those two points, I found this book interesting and thrilling, both rich in story telling and writing.

Rewarding tale about a group of supportive gay men
Simon is an aging and lonely queen still trying to get over the death of his lifetime partner. Stephen is a young accountant, secretly gay, that is except to two of his clients, John and Russell. John and Russell themselves appear to have the perfect relationship; but appearances can be deceiving. Greg is looking for the right partner, but without success. Mike, barman in a local gay bar where the various characters gather, happily listens to his regulars' woes while ignoring his own; and Thomas, the new priest is in denial about his true self. Loosely and not altogether advantageously connected to this group of friends is Pete, who enjoys the benefits of another man's attentions while denying that he himself is gay. Looking For It follows the interactions between this group of gay men who help and support one another as they discover what they really want.
Well written, this is an endearing, interesting and most enjoyable tale; the interaction between this group of diverse and very likeable men is warm and loving, they genuinely care for each other. It balances this with touches of humour, and the occasional explicit scene. While it covers a period of just a few months, the effects of what happens in that time one feels sure will be long lasting and beneficial for almost all involved, providing a positive conclusion to the book. The most attractive book cover illustration is an added bonus.

Enjoyable read
I have read a previous book by this author, and enjoyed it, so was anticipating this book. I was not disappointed. The characters are good, mostly well-rounded, within the confines of the literary genre this represents. The character of the local "tough", with repressed sexuality, struggling to come to terms with his own desires, but locked-in to the cycle of denial and violence, is very well handled. The "coming-out" scene is also very moving - towards the end of the book, short and very movingly handled. I would recommend this book without reservation.