Breakfast with Scot

by Michael Downing

Hardcover, 1999

Status

Available

Call number

PS3554.O94B74 1999

Genres

Collection

Your library

Publication

Description

A gay couple faces sudden parenthood and the embarrassing truth about their own definitions of normal in this novel. Sam and Ed are living the good life: happy, healthy, devoted to each other and their careers, they have no yearning for the joyful mysteries of parenthood. But when eleven-year-old Scot's mother suddenly dies, the couple is determined to make good on a wine-soaked promise made years before. They hang a tire swing in the back yard and call the neighborhood school to arrange enrollment. Scot arrives just in time to start fifth grade - with a pair of lacy white socks in his duffel bag. With wry dialogue, frothy characters, and an offbeat plot, Michael Downing's mastery reaches new heights of brilliance in Breakfast with Scot.

User reviews

LibraryThing member markprobst

My impression based on the first few chapters was not good. I thought the author’s first-person narrative was all over the place and I just was not in tune with his writing style. But then I adjusted to the style and I have to admit that there was quite a bit of charm and a whole lot of really

funny, dry wit.

The story revolves around a gay couple who never planned or wanted to have a child, but through some unusual circumstances became guardians to 11-year-old Scot, who was the son of the girlfriend of the brother of one of the couple. (Got that straight?) Scot’s mother was a drug addict and had just killed herself by OD-ing, and her boyfriend was too irresponsible to take the kid, so he pawns him off on his gay brother, Sam. Naturally Scot is pretty emotionally mixed up and he’s a quirky kid who is a bit of a sissy and seems destined to become a drag queen.

The narrator of the story is Ed, Sam’s partner. Where the charm comes in is through Ed’s hilarious observations, his feeling of being overwhelmed by a situation he never wanted or planned for, and then gently being won over to love and understand this peculiar child, and finally becoming so attached that he couldn’t imagine life without him. Once I became acclimated to Michael Downing’s writing style, I found the characters to be endearing, and I really enjoyed this book.

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LibraryThing member SeriousGrace

Less than 200 pages long this was a quick, in-one-sitting read. At first blush I would call this story "quirky" for the simple fact that all of the characters have their issues. What makes this fun to read is how they deal with those issues as well as each other. This is a story about relationships

and relating to people around you. The point of view is told from Italian art magazine editor, Ed. Ed and his chiropractor partner, Sam, have become guardians to eleven year old Scot. Scot doesn't fit in for a multitude of reasons. For one, Ed and Sam have never wanted children. For another, Scot is the child of Sam's brother's girlfriend, only the brother is not the biological father. Topping it all of is Scot's unique personality; his affinity for hand soaps and charm bracelets. While Ed and Sam are homosexuals they are not sure how to deal with Scot on any of these levels. As the reader you want them to not only work it out but work it out as a happy ending.

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LibraryThing member mkunruh

I loved this book. I don't think it steps wrong. I adored how it avoided changing voice and its sweetness.

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