Wings in the Snow

by Jim Oliver

Book Overview

This new novel by the author of Closing Distance resonates with memorable, fully-drawn characters, beautifully precise language, & one man's search for a meaningful life. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555834620
• ISBN13: 9781555834623
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Alyson Books
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.5" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

The truth will set you free

Dr Theo Tithonus has it all going for him, gay handsome and fit, in his mid forties he is a successful plastic surgeon of integrity, has a prosperous practice in partnership with the beautiful Dr Susan Zack who is also his best friend, and he is in line for the coveted job of chief of surgery at his hospital. To cap it off he has Sam, about ten years his younger and faithful lover of five years with whom he shares his comfortable Philadelphia home, and who with untiring efficiency cares for all things domestic. But then it all starts to go wrong. His two sisters appear to be scheming against him and getting too involved in his ailing and elderly father's financial affairs, putting pressure on him to agree. His professional partner Susan, with whom he had a daughter Natalia five years ago through artificial insemination, now wants him to become involved in raising her. Then in desperate need of a break from the pressures of work she dumps Natalia on Theo and disappears to California. For Sam this is the last straw, already feeling ignored by Theo and previously having issued an ultimatum, ups and outs. To add to this and old flame, Dr Timothy Garlington, turns up at the hospital and starts politicking for Theo's promised chief of surgery position. As the story unfolds we learn how Theo comes to terms with his problems, and himself. The story is told with occasional wit, and includes some lovely comic exchanges of dialogue. As Theo, previously inattentive to the needs of those closest to him, begins to accept change either through force of events or self realisation, maybe his problems will be resolved; whatever the outcome he will be a better person for it. Amongst other things he learns that honesty is the best policy. This is a very warm and fulfilling tale that builds to a most satisfying conclusion.

Good...

This was a good book. The plot line and character development was well done and intriguing. I enjoyed this book though I was frustrated with the main character. A sign of a good book! :)

I WANT MORE!

Jim Oliver has done it again! After reading his first book, "Closing Distance," I picked this up, his second book, expecting it not to be as good a read as his first. Wrong! This was too fast a read. As his first book did, this one left me smiling, laughing and, at times, crying, and at the end, yearning for more pages. Much more. What makes a Jim Oliver read better than most others is that his characters go through a lot of turmoil and, oh! by the way: the main character just happens to be gay! As opposed to other books where the main ingredient of the characters are their gayness, Jim Oliver's books seem to focus on PLOT and have something to say, rather than just an erotic gay story. Yeah, I want more, Mr. Oliver: Please, give us another book. Soon.

An intriguing book that leaves you smiling for more.

This is a wonderful book that I would love to share with many. The complexity of the lives of the characters leaves the reader feeling helpless, sadden, hopeful and astonished by the power of relationships. This is a wonderful book that I would love to share with many. The complexity of the lives of the characters leaves the reader feeling helpless, sadden, hopeful and astonished by the power of relationships.

a terrific read

The promise displayed by author Jim Oliver in his first book, Closing Distance, is more than fulfilled in his latest novel, Wings in the Snow. This Philadelphia story engages the reader immediately, and the multi-theme tension never falters. Reconstructive surgeon Theo Tithonus's medical partner Dr. Susan Zack,abruptly informs him that he must acknowledge his parenthood to their 6 year old daughter, Natalia. Theo, who is gay, had obliged Susan with a sperm donation on the condition that she alone be the parent. Now, things have changed as she is overwhelmed with her single parent and work stresses. Though Theo is resistant to the idea, Susan delivers their daughter to his doorstep so she can leave town to avoid a nervous breakdown. Theo's housemate and lover, Sam, feeling neglected himself, displays more parenting skills than Theo who seems to do everything clumsily, with no intuition about kids. Oliver's depiction of a 6 year-old rings true and is funny to the reader while totally frustrating to her father. However, finally taking his lead from his small daughter, Theo begins to "get it" through a beautifully defined "Wings in the Snow " experience. Meanwhile, back at the hospital, there is a threatening undercurrent as Theo's "old flame" shows up to rock the boat of his professional advancement. This character, jerk that he is, seems familiar and is totally believable as a consequence. In fact, the entire story is believable, moving, engrossing, and beautifully written. We have a fine writer here. Enjoy this book.