I picked this up because I was intrigued by the narration: "Pretend you are my sister," it starts. But the writing was kind of strange--detached and unclear--and I didn't really care for it or for the story. ( )

In this semi-autobiographical novel Douglas A Martin tells of his growing up in a dysfunctional family in America's South. His father has left, his mother eventually remarries, they struggle financially and relations are strained with his step-father. but Douglas loves his mother and is very close to his younger sister, and it is to the latter that the book is addressed - note: while written occasional in the second person the book is predominately written in the first person.

The account covers from as early as Douglas can remember to his graduating from high school, and reveals his closeness with his sister, his stepfather's disdain of his sissy ways, and his ups and downs through school and to his first boy friends.

But what is outstanding about his book is the writing, original, succinct, yet creating very much the aura of a confused young boy growing up in difficult circumstances. The sentences are often short, disjointed, but always evocative - sometimes I had to re-read to get the true sense of the meaning, although that was never a hardship for there is a beauty in the writing that rewards.

This is a touching and moving account conveyed in unique prose, and has prompted me immediately to order the author's first book, An Outline of My Lover, his fictionalised account of his relationship with the singer Michael Stipe. ( )