Michael Thomas Ford garnered lots of laughs in 1998 with Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me and Other Trials from My Queer Life. The follow-up collection of pieces from his syndicated column, That's Mr. Faggot to You, continues Ford's exploration of contemporary gay life. In the title essay, reports of a teenager who successfully sued his school district for failing to prevent physical and mental abuse by his classmates prompts Ford to recall his own traumatic high school experiences and leads him to recognize that, years later, "he is happier, more successful, and a great deal more attractive" than his classmates. In other essays, he discusses the you-and-me-against-the-world relationship he has with his black Labrador, proposes a new line of Christian-friendly action figures (including a Jonah and the Whale Play Set, "appropriate for bath-time use or fun in the pool"), and even manages, despite his uncertainties, to offer an adolescent nephew dating advice (concluding that "guy problems were guy problems, regardless of who the person creating the dilemma was or how many holes she or he had"). That's Mr. Faggot to You is a humorous slice of contemporary gay life that's bound at least to elicit a smile from any reader.
I recommend all of his books (Alec Baldwin doesn't love me) - they are very funny, well written and really amusing. I am constantly disappointed by gay humorous books (like Bob smith's lame book) but Mr. Fordn never disappoints.
Since the chapters are so short it is great for reading on the train or before bed.
I can't wait for his next one.
writes,
You'll love this book. Ford takes the quirky side of his life and adds his own bitter take on things. If you like David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs, you'll enjoy Michael Thomas Ford.
writes,
It's a bitter book written by a bitter man. I suppose it's funny. There are some great one-liners in it, but mostly the book just drones on and on. Frankly I hated it, but my partner found it to be a laugh riot. You choose.
