
Member Reviews

This collection of essays seems to me a vivid and inspiring memoir, at times fun and at times moving.
The author is known for being a writer on the famous TV series “Will and Grace”, and in this book we can also see he has a purposeful life.
Connecting some personal thoughts with his experiences, he gives us an intimate inside look of the LGBTIQ+ world of his time. Additionally, I liked learning historical facts and some fun book reference. But he talks not only about coming out, but about love, friendship, loss, ... and hope.
I really like his style. I find it daring, dynamic, and close.
An enjoyable reading experience!

Okay, full disclosure: I've never watched a single episode of Will & Grace. Ever. I just don't like sitcoms; that tinny canned laughter gives me hives. So I have to say, I have no idea who Jon Kinnally might be professionally, if he is a household name in sitcom-fandom circles or what. What I do know is, he's gay. Totally and absolutely and very very much gay, and I know this because it's basically the only thing this book is about.
Don't get me wrong, this is a very funny book, a (tiny) bit like David Sedaris if David had decided to grow a heart and stop drowning mice in buckets of water (and in turn become more vocally gay). It's just that every now and then I, well, would not have minded to hear something from Mr Kinnally that did not deal with his gayness and/or gay-adjacent things like his totally gay insecurities, exclusively gay friends or his so-gay-it's-cliché love for Barbra Streisand and that wholesome gay icon Helen Keller. Because IMO, as the book went on his fixation on sexual orientation kind of threatened to overshadow him as a person, as every single thing in his life seemed to be viewed through a (sparkling, extravagant, gloriously pink) Gay Lens.
Which was, of course, massive fun. But it also got a tad tiresome after a while, and it began to feel one-dimensional. I'm sure there a more facets to Jon Kinnally than just being a lover of men and La Streisand. Or maybe there isn't! Maybe that's the punchline to this book and I just don't get it (as usual), and that's totally okay too. I just can't tell.
I get that he's gay. (It would be kinda hard not to, starting with that cover photo. Oh yes, and the book's title tends to give it away too.) I also totally get that it's not easy to come to terms with being different, and to start being honest with yourself and those around you, especially when you were unfortunate enough to come of age sexually in the era of high AIDS panic when being gay meant that you fell somewhere between pervert, marked for/spreader of death, and utter moral failure, and definitely less-than. The first half of the book dealt with exactly that, and that's the part that really drew me in -- I actually would have liked more of this, Author as a Young Gay Boy kind of thing.
I was also intrigued by the hilarious opening chapter that dealt with Jon's life experience as contrasted with that of his much younger, happily self-absorbed co-worker, whose childhood as a Millennial gay male could not have been more different... leading to, of course, a healthy sense of entitlement as well as a comically blatant disregard for Jon's Boomer-like insistence on the importance of knowing one's (gay) history. This was very funny and also touched on aspects I would have liked to hear more about.
To me, the second half of the book felt like it moved away from those more general, relatable things and instead turned into something like SATC, with grown-up, uncloseted Jon holding forth on the highs and (indisputably tragic) lows of his and his friends' dating lives. Which was cool in its way too, but it just didn't draw me in like the first half did; because I guess the struggle is always more interesting than the realized life.
At any rate, this was a fun, fast read that should appeal to anyone who, you know, looks at the cover or just the title and thinks, That looks like fun. It does! It IS! This book is very much a case of WYSIWYG. Also, after trudging through what felt like reams of drab mediocrity for months, this book was a welcome breath of fresh air, not least because, despite all the drama and glorious hyperbole, it felt truly honest.
I don't know what to make of that dude on the Doan's pill box, though. Yes, I looked him up! I just don't see the allure; Jon, he's all yours.

A very honest and funny read. Someone not afraid to be vulnerable with some nice references, explained for people who needed it. It was a quick read that also had moments of sadness and pain. Nothing to dislike (unless you’re very easily offended).

Jon Kinnally's personal stories and anecdotes are strong enough to keep the reader entertained and turn the page.
His outlook to life and writing are excellent.
Overall, a solid 3 star read, worthy of reading, especially if you were a shy child trying to figure out their place in life.
I feel like Kinnally might have saved some of his most curious life stories for other books, and I would be happy to read them.