Product DescriptionFrom Michael Cunningham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Hours, comes this widely praised novel of two boyhood friends: Jonathan, lonely, introspective, and unsure of himself; and Bobby, hip, dark, and inarticulate. In New York after college, Bobby moves in with Jonathan and his roommate, Clare, a veteran of the city's erotic wars. Bobby and Clare fall in love, scuttling the plans of Jonathan, who is gay, to father Clare's child. Then, when Clare and Bobby have a baby, the three move to a small house upstate to raise 'their' child together and, with an odd friend, Alice, create a new kind of family. A Home at the End of the World masterfully depicts the charged, fragile relationships of urban life today.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Compelling story of friendship and love
A Home at the End of the World is an elegant study of how finding love in a world of fragile and impermanent relationships requires inventiveness, resilience, and a willingness to challenge restrictive notions of family. It was written circa 1990 by the acclaimed author of The Hours. The story is centered on Jonathan and Bobby, who become close friends and partners in sexual experimentation during their adolescent years together in Cleveland. Bobby is haunted by the loss of his adored older brother, ... Read More
Rating: - Tragic. Beautiful. Intimate.
I am going to disagree wholeheartedly with the reviewer that claims the movie is better than the book. Yes, it sometimes happens, but this is not one of those instances.
In my case, it was actually the movie that prompted my desire to read the book. Though it was written eighteen years ago, the story is (and will likely remain) timeless. The main characters, Bobby, Jonathan and Clare, and the secondary character of Alice--all narrative voices that comprise the work--are all human tragedies in their ... Read More
Rating: - I Really Enjoyed This
I did not know anything about this book, when I bought it. I had read The Hours and enjoyed it, so when I saw the author had wrote another book, I naturally wanted to read it. Having said that, I am NOT an emotional person, but I laughed and cried throughout this novel. Many people have focused their reviews on the homosexual aspect of this book. Being a straight male, I didn't find this theme all that shocking. The scenes that were sexual in nature were in good taste and not overblown. This book is so much ... Read More
Rating: - So much better than the movie
The first time I read this book, I was blown away. But then I saw the movie. Now, don't get me wrong, there were moments of beauty in the movie--and certainly, Collin Farrell's masterful acting (and good looks) made it worth the price of admission. But still, the movie lacked something. Which is why I recently decided to reread this truly elegant work and was, once again blown away.
Michael Cunnigham is one of a handful of popular gay writers who, in my opinion, have achieved their fame both ... Read More
Rating: - Engaging story of family, friendship, love
Couldn't put this book down. I loved the strong sense of place and time the author establishes--from the restless suburban 70's, to the wild East Village 80's, to the calm Upstate NY 90's, the author takes you there in a relatable and vivd manner. The story of the bond between these two wonderfully complex men is bold, honest, and inspiring. This is a story of family, of friendship, of unrequited love, and making your own rules for life. A great read.
- Compelling story of friendship and love
