A Boy Named Phyllis: A Suburban Memoir

I, like Frank DeCaro, am from Northern New Jersey, and chuckled at the details of his reminiscences (as could anyone, I believe, from New Jersey, or who is gay, or Italian, or who grew up in the 60s and 70s. And isn't that all of us? :)

But the most remarkable thing about the book as a gay man's memoir (and I have read quite a few) is that you don't hit that point two-thirds of the way through where you start a tragic descent into a personal battle with AIDS (that, of course, has been done masterfully before anyway, for example by Paul Monette.)

Instead, the book, which is not told chronologically but is organized instead into themes, hits you unexpectedly and powerfully, the pop culture details artfully concealing a painful truth until the end of the chapter, as they did in one chapter entitled "Desire Under the Forsythias."

I highly recommend "A Boy Named Phyllis," which yielded for me a very pleasurable catharsis of laughter.

This is an excellent book...one of my favorite memoirs. It was hard to put down and I was sad when it ended. I am surprised it didn't more "buzz" when it first came out. It is light-hearted, funny, and very interesting. It reminds me a little of A Girl Named Zippy. I wish he would write a follow-up book. Definately worth the read!

This is a very well told story of growing up different. I also loved his rememberances of being part of the 70's disco culture.

Autobiographies live or die based on the "tone" and how much the writer shares with the reader. Here the tone is humorous and refreshing - the details are moving.

This is a great book and deserves more attention. I have had my friends all read and love it. :)

Frank Decaro explores all of the many issues that every gay man deals with while coming to terms with his own sexual orientation, but he injects humor into some of the most serious of situations and has you laughing 'til you're crying. Every queer in America will identify with Frank's family members and will remember experiencing some of the same feelings -- from the first time that you "touched yourself" to the first time you kissed another boy (and more). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and his style of writing. The only disappointment was turning the page, realizing that I had reached the end, and thinking, "but that can't be the end. I want closure." Buy it. Read it. You'll love it

What I liked about this book is that it is a coming out story that doesn't get too heavy. Decaro definately went through some tough times but his attitude is refreshing. He does not dwell on negatives. Anyone can learn from that.