⇒ Libro Glass Houses Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt 9781930928237 Books

Glass Houses Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt 9781930928237 Books

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Glass Houses Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt 9781930928237 Books

This very sweet story really stays with us after its conclusion. Gay director and straight lead actress doing a film version of "Tropical Storm," become emotionally entangled as their story shadows (without duplicating) that of the film's fictional characters. Llachlan has fun with the intertextual stuff, while effectively exorcizing the anachronistic Xena/Gabrielle flashbacks that intrude in the Dar/Kerry story. The love story has a very slow buildup, but the seeds are planted deep right at the outset, so there are lots of emotional facets to the evolving relationship, and each has its own poignancy. The writing is agile, allowing Jae and Reed to emerge in 3-D, physically and emotionally.


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Glass Houses Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt 9781930928237 Books Reviews

Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt takes an interesting turn in the über fiction world, introducing us to the world of Hollywood in the superb "Glass Houses. Based on the actual book, "Tropical Storm," another excellent über tale by the ultimate Xena fanfiction writer, Melissa Good, "Glass Houses" introduces us to Jae Cavanaugh, an independent film director suddenly thrown into the limelight of her first big-budget movie, and Reed Lewis, her recalcitrant movie star known for her moodiness and penchant for walking off the set. While Llachlan subscribes to what seems to be the standard formula of tall, dark and troubled for the über Xena-like Reed, and small, understanding, and gentle for the über Gabrielle-like Jae, that's where the differences end in this story within a story. Llachlan lends us characters who are moody, grumpy, homophobic, short-tempered-real characters with real problems, emotional baggage and human failings.
Unlike most typical über stories, these characters don't fall in love immediately, nor do they fall in bed and have fantastic sex chapter after chapter. Their interaction weaves back and forth like a true friendship would, based on genuine affection for each other. This friendship, though, is complicated by the fact Jae is the director of a movie based on two lesbian heroines, trying to coax a credible performance from her star, Reed, who is more than a little homophobic. Complicating matters even more is the fact Jae has failed to share a little secret of her own, only to be faced with the emotional fallout from Reed when she is found out.
While "Glass Houses" has great characters and a riveting story, one must almost have read "Tropical Storm" first before they totally understand the storyline. Also, I found the repeated referral to popular music verses distracting and annoying. It's a book, I really don't need musical accompaniment. The biggest letdown, however, was the ending. While you're certain Jae and Reed will overcome the obstacles in their path and become lovers, it's almost as if it was an afterthought to include it. Unfortunately, it was like the added features on a DVD, all "behind the scenes." After spending several hours reading such a beautiful story with such passionate characters, one would expect a little more passionate ending, and as the reader, felt somewhat cheated.
With exception to the ending, overall "Glass Houses" is an enjoyable read with memorable characters you won't soon forget.
-Outlook Press
Glass Houses had the potential to create a new level of Xena uber. It's "uber uber," if you will, depicting the making of a motion picture adaptation of the novel, Tropical Storm by the fictionalized Holly Wulfenden. -- Tropical Storm really is a Xena uber novel by Melissa Good, arguably the best known and most successful of the Xena Fan fiction writers. Along with her uber novels, Good wrote scripts for some of the XWP TV show's episodes. -- Taking the uber element one more step removed from its reflection of the show, provided Leavitt the opportunity to explore the archetypal elements these characters represent in a slightly different way. It's six degrees removed, if you will. Regretfully, Leavitt does not entirely succeed.
The artistically acclaimed, hard working young director, J.A.E. Cavanaugh (known to most as Jae) is facing a career making opportunity. The chance to turn the novel, Tropical Storm into a well made, Hollywood motion picture. The first third of Glass Houses, focuses primarily on Jae and her struggle to balance her love of and drive for the creative work of film making against her relationships with people. Leavitt's characterization of the honorable and ethical workaholic Jae is nicely developed. All of this young bard's energy goes into her work, yet her life is missing love with its potential redemption for Jae and possibly for others. This portion of the story is engrossing, amusing and engaging. Jae's character is vivacious and witty and this reader often found herself rooting for Jae's success.
However, the further along into the story Leavitt takes us, the more references to Tropical Storm require the reader to know Good's book to understand the scenes being filmed and the changes being made to the script. This becomes distracting to the reader. Leavitt's understanding of the motion picture creative process is quite interesting although some elements could be better explained.
The enigmatic actor Reed Lewis is set to play the cutthroat corporate executive, Dar in the movie. Despite being more than a little homophobic, Reed is bound by contract to portray this strong confident lesbian character. Nicknamed the " Ice Queen" Reed is hoping that she can make this film and "get out of Dodge" as she has more than a few secrets and personal demons that she must shoulder.
The last third of the book focuses more on Reed. Leavitt does not seem to have decided exactly what issues Reed must face. The supposedly Xena-esque Reed does not really fulfill the uber requirement. No vengeful warlord, corporate or otherwise, she does not need redemption so much as a few years with a good therapist! Despite Reed's reputation as a cold-hearted, spiteful prima donna, she is actually hiding her own victimization with her abrasive demeanor. The layers of "secrets" turn out to be more traumatic than necessary.
Reed was misused as a young actress by a manipulative director and continues to struggle with the consequences of those years. Furthermore, she lives with the loss of her parents at 14 and survivor's guilt for having escaped the fatal fire. Yet there are still more tragic secrets hiding in Reed's poor damaged psyche! Too much for Reed to be able to deal reasonably without some professional assistance.
Glass Houses is fast, easy reading and contains many charming moments in it's 481 pages. The plot, however, seems to wander. Poor handling of the issue of child sexual abuse is very annoying and allows for the perpetuation of negative homophobic stereotypes. Glass Houses has a good premise with some well developed characters, however, it is badly in need of editing. Also troublesome is the extensive use of many contemporary song lyrics, apparently without permission, at least according to the copyright page. Glass Houses is Leavitt's first novel and shows many promising qualities. This reader sincerely hopes that she will write more and that Leavitt finds better editorial assistance in future efforts.
If you like the writing style of Melissa Good then you will love this book. The two main characters are well defined early in the story so you are not floundering around wondering what the plot of the story deals with. Anyone who remembers what it's like to acknowledge ones homosexuality or knows someone just coming out, then this is a must read. Ciaran weaves every emotion imaginable throughout the book, but in such a pleasant way that you are left with a giddy feeling at the end of it. Actress Reed Lewis is the queen of denial when trying to explain to herself why she is drawn to director Jae Cavanaugh. The situations that each of them put themselves in just to see eachother is hilarious. Whether it's scaling the side of a house or having a kissing contest you will laugh aloud. You can't help but cheer for them to come together. One can only hope that there might be a seguel in the making with this duo.
Loved this book and was glad to be able to add it to my collection. The seller was quick to deliver and the book was as advertised.
Amazing story. If you love Dar and Kerry, then this book is for you.
This very sweet story really stays with us after its conclusion. Gay director and straight lead actress doing a film version of "Tropical Storm," become emotionally entangled as their story shadows (without duplicating) that of the film's fictional characters. Llachlan has fun with the intertextual stuff, while effectively exorcizing the anachronistic Xena/Gabrielle flashbacks that intrude in the Dar/Kerry story. The love story has a very slow buildup, but the seeds are planted deep right at the outset, so there are lots of emotional facets to the evolving relationship, and each has its own poignancy. The writing is agile, allowing Jae and Reed to emerge in 3-D, physically and emotionally.