The Pajama Boy by Ginger Mayerson review

The Pajama Boy

Author: Ginger Mayerson

Publisher: The Wapshott Press

Grade: B+

There may be many of you who recognize the name Ginger Mayerson. If you've read things over at J LHLS you'll know that she is an editor there. Not only is she an editor but she's also a novelist. I hope that it's not a conflict of interest that I contribute reviews at J LHLS and I'm reviewing her novel The Pajama Boy. I don't get paid to spout my opinions so who cares if it's a conflict of interest. Besides, I shelled out the cash to purchase this book as opposed to getting a review copy. Before you get your pitchforks and torches ready to chase me out of town, I love Ginger from the bottom of my heart. I have always enjoyed reading her reviews at J LHLS. They make me laugh. They make me think. They even make me wonder "What is going on in her brain?" But I enjoy them nonetheless. So, what do you say I get to my review of The Pajama Boy?

Ryuu Shimada was working for a small newspaper in Nagasaki when he met Yoshi Katayama. Yoshi was working in a local café and he reminded Shimada of his ex-boyfriend Seiji. Shimada had left everything behind in Tokyo and wanted to start afresh in Nagasaki. After saving Yoshi from a creep Yoshi and Shimada soon began living together, which quickly turned into a steamy sex-filled affair. Shimada is in his mid-twenties and Yoshi is just eighteen. But sometimes some relationships are just fated. Shimada is offered a job writing for a magazine in Tokyo and if he goes Yoshi insists on going with him.

Things don't work out like Shimada and Yoshi planned. Shadows from Shimada's past come to haunt him and his young lover. But with the support and friendship of his ex-boyfriend and his current lover, Shimada and Yoshi tread the crazy waters of Tokyo.

This is a well-crafted American yaoi novel. It's also very tongue-in-cheek when dealing with yaoi formulas and us crazed yaoi fangirls here in the states. Ginger, I guess I should show her the respect she deserves, Ms. Mayerson has sewn this novel together with great humor and in-your-face honesty that you don't see in most yaoi novels. In her reviews, essays and other writings dealing with man love she loves to share her wit and wisdom in regards to practicing safe sex. The fact that you see the couples in this book using protection, not against pregnancy (obviously) but STD's, is refreshing. An especially memorable scene is where our four protagonists are sitting around a table eating dinner and partaking of the sake at a local restaurant discussing, without abandon, the joys of using protection. If I had witnessed a discussion between four exceptionally good looking Japanese men, I probably would have had the same reaction as the waitress!

One issue that I did have was the fact that Shimada often referred to Yoshi as "hon" and "baby". I don't know if same-sex lovers in Japan refer to one another in those terms. But I don't know because I'm American and I know that those nicknames are used among lovers, straight and gay, here. If I'm wrong about that, I'm wrong, and I'm cool with that. If they do use such terms of endearment for one another then I amend my previous statement. I do know that homosexuality is still quite taboo in that part of the world, and the way it was handled was more like the way situations are dealt with on this side of the Pacific. But Ms. Mayerson mentions in her preface that this book really isn't about Japan. I did catch a few spelling errors, typos, etc. that slipped through the editing process. I have the tendency to find them (I'm a stickler for spelling) and I find all kinds of typos in books right and left, so I don't hold anyone responsible for it (NOTE: After the review was read by the author, my proofreading career began - so I guess I now have a conflict of interest because I helped correct the errors. I still don't care!). Things like that happen. I had wondered why it was called The Pajama Boy, but thankfully the answer becomes clear, as opposed to some of the titles given to Japanese yaoi novels. There are three different cover styles to choose from (and they're all beautiful, by the way). Mine happens to be the limited edition cover that only 100 copies are going to be made available. Hey, I like to feel special, so there! Drop by The Wapshott Press website for any information.

This is a great read if you are looking for an American take on this world called yaoi. It takes place in Japan, they have Japanese names, but the story is very American. If you want a yaoi story written by Japanese authors, check out Juné. They have a number of great titles to check out (and if you are looking for reviews of some of these novels, you can find many at J LHLS - hint-hint). If you want a realistic look at same sex relationships Japanese style, sadly I don't have any books to recommend. Thanks to the internet, however, I'm sure you can find what you're looking for. Check out The Pajama Boy from J LHLS's own Ginger Mayerson, you won't be disappointed. If you are, I'll send out the mob with pitchforks and torches after you!