Mysterious Skin: A Novel

I know many people who love Mysterious Skin but admit that it's difficult to get through. They say things like "I'm glad I read it, but I don't need to read it again." I've felt the same way about other novels, including those by Dennis Cooper, which are often compared to Mysterious Skin. The difference is, Dennis Cooper's novels can come from a place of cruelty--cruelty that resides in a story's tone, setting, or central character. Mysterious Skin, on the other hand, is dispassionate, sometimes even kind. Brian, Neil, Eric, the mothers: they're good people at heart, not cruel in the least. In other words: I loved this book, and in time, I'll be happy to re-read it. First and foremost, I loved Heim's storytelling. The story was perfectly paced, and he did a beautiful job of describing the world that the characters inhabit, of positioning it in time and space: rural America, the 1980s and 1990s, the complicated era of adolescence. I also loved the characters, especially Neil. Like Neil, I grew up a gay kid in a small American town in the late twentieth century. I wasn't nearly as brazen among my peers as Neil was, but I matured early and had sexual experiences with people my age and older. I know now that I wasn't alone in that, but it's rare to see that kind of sexual agency depicted in novels. Last but not least, I loved the scenes that Heim created--scenes full of tension, often involving kids doing things they shouldn't in places they shouldn't. In the hands of…

I watched the movie because I hadn't read the book, and then I read the book because I had watched the movie. Much like the 2004 movie adaption, the book will leave you thinking about it for days afterwards. It lingers in your mind, clings to your brain wrinkles. Mysterious Skin is a haunting story about two boys whose traumatic childhoods drastically affect their lives. They deal with this trauma in two very different ways, but both carry the scars of what they went through. It's a hard novel, because it deals with very heavy subject matter, and at times is pretty graphic. Yet, somehow, it manages to never be overly pessimistic, or voyeuristic even in its more graphic scenes. It's highly disturbing at parts, and rather upsetting, but well worth a read.

In October, the discussion group at the LGBT Center in NYC had a terrific group of very interested and thoughtful readers to discuss this novel. Wow, has this book held up. Originally published in 1996 and recently re-published, we all found it a powerful and moving first novel, with a few minor problems. --SPOILERS FOLLOW-- Without a doubt, Neil is the best-drawn character (narrating 5 chapters, including the final resolving chapter). A rough-around-the-edges hustler, he's a smooth operator who is able to seduce and reject almost everyone, unable to make a connection. As with so many victims of childhood abuse, he has few boundaries (like his mom?) so he drinks to much, uses drugs, and has inappropriate sex. Compared to Neil, Brian is boring. He's the major voice of the novel (narrating 7 chapters, including the opening chapter to set the tone), but is stunted emotionally and sexually (probably asexual, in today's parlance). His bully-father leaves the family, which doesn't help. His mother is perhaps too protective and seems to know that something is wrong but doesn't know how to respond. (She keeps practicing with her prison guard-issued handgun, but it's a red herring in the novel.) A few minor characters round out the novel. Wendy (1 chapter) is Neill's best friend but like most of the women in the novel, is a poorly drawn and rather weak character. Brian's sister Deborah (2 chapters) is especially mis-used in the novel never having much motivation to do anything.…

*Spoilers* In this touching story, Scott Heim proves his worth as an outstanding storyteller. The reason that this book gets five stars from me is because the author does a lot that's relatively unique in this story. While the prose isn't Fitzgerald, it definitely has its moments. However, the strength of the book lies in the plot. The author finds a novel, creative way to address an old idea without it becoming kitsch. In and of itself, that's a pretty big accomplishment. The story also has the correct pace, length, and the character development has a lot of strengths - particularly in the character of Brian. My personal opinion is that, of most people I have read on amazon criticizing this book, many of them likely don't understand the scope of the story or just saw the movie and believe it entitles them to make claims about the book. They either think Heim is trying to make an overall statement challenging the way contemporary society views the nature of child molestation (way beyond the scope of the book) or that the author is painting a two-dimensional, reductionist view of the characters he creates in order to to prove some foregone point (which is way below the scope of the book). Instead, the author winds up rearing two very complex characters who deal with a similar experience of childhood sexual contact in two totally opposite ways. Neal externalizes the experience and looks back on it as a character developing, novel happening (saying that he didn't believe his…

I had been doing some research on child sexual abuse for my upcoming novel, and came across this book as a cross-reference on how things are in today's world. I read the book in one sitting. Very well-written, full of escapades and scary times in the lives of two boys marred by sexual abuse. One lad is so traumatized he believes aliens are responsible, as some 5 hours disappear from his life. The other lad gives in to child prostituion, but somehow survives. That the two meet to talk about a dark day from their past is unique, and Scott Heim tells it the only way he knows how: with grace and aplomb. Some of the scenes are not for the faint-hearted as adult themes run the course from alcoholism and drug addiction to cruising behavior and the gay lifestyle in small town America. I would have liked to have seen more dialogue in the novel that wasn't so staticky. Other than that, a first-rate novel from a powerful writer. You may also want to rent or buy the movie version as well, as there are strong performances by some great actors. But read the book first, then see the film. This upcoming author has much to say in our difficult times.