Published: July 23, 2009
Words: 100,806 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452300931

Short description

Martin Powers wanted an ironing board for Christmas. Instead, he got . . . Matthew Kieler, a non-returnable gift, but a gift that kept on giving. Look Away Silence is a romance set in the time of AIDS, when ignorance could spell trouble and often did. It encompasses the author’s experiences in volunteer community service and personal friendships during a tragic period in American history.

Extended description

Martin Powers wanted an ironing board for Christmas. Instead, he got . . . Matthew Kieler, a non-returnable gift, but a gift that kept on giving. Chance encounters are sometimes the ones that most change our lives. He sold Matt a tie, but got more in the bargain - more than most people would want and more than anyone deserved. Although these lovers may not have had the pink American dream, they had it better than most, even as they faced a crisis that would change us all.

Look Away Silence is a romance set in the time of AIDS, when ignorance could spell trouble and often did. It encompasses the author’s experiences in volunteer community service and personal friendships during a tragic period in American history. The novel is dedicated to the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, the NAMES Project and to the author’s own fallen angels. "Mothers, do not shun your children, because you never know how long you have to revel in them."

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS: (Read more) Martin Powers wanted an ironing board for Christmas. Instead, he got . . . Matthew Kieler, a non-returnable gift, but a gift that kept on giving. Chance encounters are sometimes the ones that most change our lives. He sold Matt a tie, but got more in the bargain - more than most people would want and more than anyone deserved. Although these lovers may not have had the pink American dream, they had it better than most, even as they faced a crisis that would change us all.

Look Away Silence is a romance set in the time of AIDS, when ignorance could spell trouble and often did. It encompasses the author’s experiences in volunteer community service and personal friendships during a tragic period in American history. The novel is dedicated to the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, the NAMES Project and to the author’s own fallen angels. "Mothers, do not shun your children, because you never know how long you have to revel in them."

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS:
Review from Rainbow Reviews

This is an intensely emotional story about a young couple that falls in love, only to face the AIDS crisis instead of matching pink rockers on the porch. At a time when the government was refusing to acknowledge the crisis and the immortality of youth cast a protective pall over young gay men, this couple must cope with a horrible disease and the ramifications within their family and larger community. A very intensely moving story that packs an incredible punch, the last half left me crying all the way through it and beyond for some time. This is not a light-hearted tale but combines several important themes and a deeply romantic and fulfilling, yet heart breaking relationship that will resonate and stay with the reader for some time.

Martin Powers meets Matt, a shy blue-eyed cowboy on Christmas eve and although Martin expects the relationship to barely last to New Year’s, it turns into a permanent partnership. Their happiness in each other create a small bubble around their love and world that is all too soon popped when the horrible specter of Matt’s dead lover and the crisis of AIDS invades their world. All of a sudden Martin is confronted with issues and problems he has never imagined and struggles with the intense emotions that come along.

The writing is instantly engaging and engrossing as Martin’s character is likable and relatable. The pacing is well done and the book is incredibly easy to read, even for all the intense emotion elicited. Martin is a wonderful character as he is first introduced through his love of laundry and cleaning attachments through his surprising affection and love for a small, blue eyed cowboy that loves snow. Martin’s maturity, humor and intelligence are at odds with his young age, only twenty years old. Martin is not perfect and struggles through the story with his jealousy, fears, manipulation, and selfishness. His dysfunctional childhood has changed the way he views relationships and although he can look back on his faults, he makes numerous mistakes. However, for all his faults he truly and deeply loves Matt and that love is returned, creating the first solid and meaningful relationship young Martin has ever had. As Martin matures and finds strength and courage where he fears none exist, it’s easy to forget that he is only twenty three by the end of the story, and Matt was only twenty five. These are incredibly young men who should have been able to grow old together but instead live a full, loving life as best they can.

Woven into the romance between the men are multiple themes about the gay community and the impact AIDS has upon the country and various individuals. Several couples from past works by the author make brief cameos in this story, although the focus never waivers from Martin and Matt. The depth of the characters and their story is an important tale that transcends gender and race. This is one story that will resonate for a very long after the incredibly beautiful final page.
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Tags

romance, gay, aids, caregivers

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Reviews

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Review by: Echo Lee on Sep. 12, 2011 : (no rating)
OMG, I sniffed so hard last night, when reading the end part
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Sean Norris on Oct. 04, 2010 :
It took me a while to finish this book. It was hard to keep up with the story. I'd rate it 4.5 stars but it doesn't have half star here. The first part was kind of boring and it was awkward to read self narrative at the beginning but I eventually grew on him.

The way Martin met Matt was so adorable. I actually laughed at his sucker w the ugliest tie! As the story goes on, it was slow but it has gotten better when it reach 2nd part. I wish Edward would write more romance story between Martin and Matt because it seems so fast. The only special moment was the nicknames and Matt's family welcomed Martin.

Anyway, the reason it was hard to me to keep up with the story--a friend of my died of Pneumonia and he has a HIV, so his immune system crashed and he died fast. He was only 24 or 25 years old when it happened. Not just that, he finally met his dream by moving from NY to California. Few month after his stay in CA, he's gone.

So, this book is a great story but hard to read through the saddest plots in the story.

Definitely a great recommendation to everyone who can handle a sad ending book.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Sharon E. Cathcart on July 15, 2010 :
Keep tissues handy when you read this beautiful love story that takes place in the early days of HIV/AIDS. I wept many times.

Edward C. Patterson's "Look Away Silence" is a story about many kinds of love besides the romance between Matt and Martin; it is about loving communities and families, and volunteers who take on the difficult duties in order to provide respite to caregivers. It is about people who find strength during crises that they believe will take them down: people who are phenomenally courageous.

I have admired Patterson's novels for some time now, but honestly believe this one to be his best. Inspiring, though-provoking and, yes -- one that will make you cry.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: B. B. on July 09, 2010 :
A beautiful and highly emotive book, I was drawn in from the very first page. I read this as a free read during the smashword promotion, but I think I'll seek out a 'real' print to put on my bookshelf.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Rosiet on Oct. 21, 2009 :
A very emotional read.
(reviewed long after purchase)

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