Two Paths to Now

The scarring effects of a family7#39;s secrets on an adolescent boy is the focus of Two Paths to Now, a novel by Dann Hazel, just released by The Original Press.

Seventeen-year-old Rusty, struggling with his sexual identity, finally discovers that Gloria, his mother, has been lying to him for most of his young life. She has told him that his father, Erik, is dead, when in fact he is very much alive and residing in a city only one hundred miles away. However, the disclosure of the secret only begins a dramatic outpouring of other cover-ups which are revealed in a subtly played story. The novel culminates in a thunderous climax which transforms and ultimately reunites a family whose survival depends on its ability to cut through years of lies and deceptions.

Two Paths to Now defies labeling. On one level, it works as a rite of passage novel, but such categorization short changes its scope and impact. It is also a riveting psychological study of a family in turmoil that belies the political rhetoric of "family values" through its sensitive portrayal of a modern southern family coming to grips with homosexuality. The characters' ghostly encounters toward the end are so realistically crafted that readers may find themselves nervously looking over their shoulders. Ultimately, Hazel's story works as a mystery as it meticulously follows Rusty's efforts to discover both his history and his identity.

While large publishing houses often seem convinced that no cross-over market exists for novels which deal honestly with homosexuality, Hazel's novel proves otherwise. His gay characters are very much part of mainstream culture, and as in reality, live among gay, lesbian and straight citizens. But don't misunderstand. The novel certainly deals with homophobia and prejudice, but not in a way that casts any particular group as villains. In Two Paths to Now, everyone has a chance for growth and redemption-a chance that most of Hazel's characters take.

However, readers should beware. In the novel's deceptively simple plot, the most poignant moments take readers quite by surprise. They will experiences, in turn, anger, indignation, amusement and sadness. Only the most jaded readers will finish the novel without reaching for their handkerchiefs.

Two Paths to Now is a novel you won't easily forget. Without moralizing, it takes a refreshingly honest look at the celebration of human diversity, sexuality and family values. It is a thoroughly satisfying read.