Published: Feb. 11, 2013
Words: 44,932 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780988992801

Short description

“Were it a dream, it would be a most wondrous dream; but it’s more. It’s a life. And I don’t have to remember any of it. It remembers me.” With these words, Gene Poole-Hall takes us on a beautiful coming-of-age journey that will leave you questioning the definition of normal, and show you that, when it comes to family, at the heart of the matter, it’s the heart that matters.

Extended description

“Were it a dream, it would be a most wondrous dream; but it’s more. It’s a life. And I don’t have to remember any of it. It remembers me.”
With these words, Gene Poole-Hall takes us on a beautiful coming-of-age journey that will leave you questioning any preconceived impressions of the definition of normal, and lead you to the conclusion that when it comes to family, at the heart of the matter, it’s the heart that matters.
Gene’s story begins with his adoption into an extended family that includes everything from a few drag queens to a well respected rabbi. If Gene’s life is anything but normal, he isn’t aware of it. He enjoys all the advantages of being an only child at the heart of a family of unrelated adults bonded together by mutual love and respect.
The core of Gene’s family is Mother, who is actually his biological uncle Ben. Mother is a bigger than life female impersonator whose warmth and compassion has attracted the most unusual extended family you will.. (Read more) “Were it a dream, it would be a most wondrous dream; but it’s more. It’s a life. And I don’t have to remember any of it. It remembers me.”
With these words, Gene Poole-Hall takes us on a beautiful coming-of-age journey that will leave you questioning any preconceived impressions of the definition of normal, and lead you to the conclusion that when it comes to family, at the heart of the matter, it’s the heart that matters.
Gene’s story begins with his adoption into an extended family that includes everything from a few drag queens to a well respected rabbi. If Gene’s life is anything but normal, he isn’t aware of it. He enjoys all the advantages of being an only child at the heart of a family of unrelated adults bonded together by mutual love and respect.
The core of Gene’s family is Mother, who is actually his biological uncle Ben. Mother is a bigger than life female impersonator whose warmth and compassion has attracted the most unusual extended family you will ever meet. Mother’s partner, Tom, whom Gene calls Dad rather than Uncle Tom for obvious reasons, is a Wall Street executive. Gene’s Uncle Josh, the rabbi, is Mother’s life-long best friend and first unrequited love interest. Gene’s aunts, Allie and Sue, whose lives are anything but a drag, are famous, if not infamous, drag queens from Mother’s band of performers. And that’s just the beginning of Gene’s family.
A sudden move to the suburbs and the unexpected addition of three new family members, Chip and Dale, an unusual set of twins, and Robbie, an attractive farm boy, soon add colors that Gene has never imagined, to his already colorful world.
Travel through all the trials and tribulations of a young teen’s life as he explores all the joys, wonders and pitfalls of coming of age and experiencing the emotional and biological dramas and traumas of infatuation and love for the first time.
This is a story you’ll want to read over and over again. It is a beautiful memoir that anyone who has ever loved, desired, and reached for a yearning just beyond their grasp can relate to. Gene’s story is our story, and he tells it in a manner that will awaken all the remarkable and beautiful memories that have slept in some far corner of our hearts for too long.
(Less)

Tags

beauty, love, coming of age, gay, family, wisdom, parenting, adoption, samesex marriage

Available ebook reading formats

Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.

Format	Full Book	Sample First 10%
Online Reading (HTML, good for sampling in web browser)	Buy	View sample
Kindle (.mobi for Kindle devices and Kindle apps)	Buy	Download sample
Epub (Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)	Buy	Download sample
PDF (good for reading on PC, or for home printing)	Buy	No sample available
RTF (readable on most word processors)	Buy	No sample available
LRF (Use only for older model Sony Readers that don't support .epub)	Buy	Download sample
Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices)	Buy	Download sample
Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting)	Buy	No sample available
Plain Text (view) (viewable as web page)	Buy	No sample available

Reviews

Log-in to write a Review   Log-in to add a Video Review

Review by: Dorothy Hamernik on Feb. 21, 2013 :
Review by Deeg
I have just finished reading the most astounding and uplifting book. This book I would recommend to anyone one who questions what real love and what it really means to be a family. The one thing it leaves you with is real love, hope, fear, caring, and family knows no color, sex, or origin and when you can see this and accept this your riches will be far greater then you can ever imagine. Thank you Steve for showing the world that there is still hope for us all. Never stop writing and opening up our minds and hearts. You are a very special soul that has the power to open the hearts and minds of so many questioning and lost souls. I would also suggest that this book be mandatory reading for all college students and be placed in all crisis center to show them there is always hope
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Gina m on Feb. 21, 2013 : (no rating)
It is hard to believe that Normal? is Stephen Mulrooney's first novel. Readers are in for a treat...
Stephen has a gift for drawing his readers deeper and deeper into this amazing story. This book has compelling characters and is filled with love, hope, humor and wisdom. I eagerly await his next book. Anyone who loves books about family, friendship, love found and lost will
not go away unhappy. Savor this marvelous, sassy, unforgettable, highly touching novel by a fresh voice. I love this book. I think it is safe to say that Stephen has a long, successful future ahead of him.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Madeleine Hogan on Feb. 20, 2013 :
Bravo to first time author Stephen J. Mulrooney! Hope he will write a second book about this unique and interesting "family" and continue to capture their love which transcends all circumstances. Looking forward to reading about more adventures with them all!
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Adele Mecevitch on Feb. 20, 2013 :
What an endearing and engaging book. i have read this book four times now, and each time I read it I gain some new insight. This book has taken me through a gamut of emotions, joy, tears, laughter, and even goosebumps. This book is for everyone who enjoys funny, uplifting,sincere books about family, life and love. The author has a skillful way of weaving the plot and there are stories within the story. His use of puns combined with great wit and wisdom will surely delight readers. I was sorry when the book ended and I hope this author will produce more great books!
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Reason for report:
— Select a reason — Book is or contains spam Book infringes copyright Same content is published elsewhere with different author (for ex., by private-label rights) Duplicate Incomplete work (such as sample or serial) Should be marked adults-only Category is inappropriate Poorly formatted Nudity or other inappropriate content on cover Nudity or other inappropriate visual content in book Inappropriate erotica content Cover image is improper Content is inappropriate Other violation of Terms of Service Other reason not shown above.

Additional details: