Review: Takes to you another world
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 10, 2012
Most of the books in the m/m category are romances or erotica. This book is not really either. It is a book about survival. Taking what you are given and making the best life you can of it. M A McRae creates a world that sucks you in and takes you places you have never been.The hero is a bright young slum boy who is taken in for his beauty as a bed-boy by a wealthy middle eastern man. The boy is tricked into being castrated "to stay beautiful" at the age of 10. He is bright enough to figure out that his options in life are now severely changed. He has major trust issues after the incident (duh) but chooses to hide his anger and manipulates his master to ensure that he has resources and skills to survive if he is cast off.The story starts in the 1970's and has a wonderful mix of old tribal ways and modern life. You get a rich sense of the enclave household with family politics between wives, sons, different status servants, the master and the young eunuch. The boy has learned to be cautious, sweet and manipulative to survive and yet he does form real bonds and friendships with the servants and the sons. He gets educated in languages, finance, fighting and horseback riding. All the while being underestimated as a cherished pet to be jealously guarded. The boy does manage to find love and affection and is willing to trade his body for comfort and cuddles. But he does not trust the world he lives in not to condemn him for things he cannot control and seeks to escape.The other half of the story is set in England where he gradually learns what to think about himself as a human being if "not a man" In England he finds friends and enemies and tries to move beyond surviving to thriving. His delicate appearance hides the soul of a tough practical fighter.This is not an easy book. The main character goes through things that many would not survive physically or emotionally. But he always makes the best he can of what he has been handed and does not dwell on the unfairness of things.I have read two other book with ennuchs Anne Rice's Cry to HeavenCry to Heavenand Mary Renualt's The Persian BoyThe Persian BoyI have no idea how castration changes biology and sexuality in reality and it is interesting that these authors have different interpretations.The sequel to this story is also quite good The King's Favourite (The Shuki Series) It has a whole new story line and plot.