Silver City (Gay Romance)

Dreadful. I have enjoyed some of this guys earlier books and found this unbelievably contrived. Difficult to believe this was the same writer. Maybe he was short of cash and needed the advance! Like some other reviewers I couldn't finish this.

A good read.

A new book from Anthony McDonald is always an occasion, and Silver City is no exception. I have at once to declare an interest; I myself flew on Silver City Airways to and from France back in the late 50's early sixties. It was excitingly new then and remains so in this story. Once again McDonald holds your attention from page one, through the turmoils of close emotional encounters and mutual sexual discovery, right through to a denouement lived through yet another of his thrilling and upsetting natural tempests. In earlier books we have endured crossing the Channel in and open boat, in another the same journey on a cross channel ferry which nearly founders. And my heart was in my mouth in this story when our heroes had to fly without navigational aids through a violent electrical storm. I found myself saying my prayers for them it was so vivid! McDonald's use of language - as I have observed before - is exquisite and lyrical, and not just his use of a quotation from one of my favourite authors, Antoine de St Exupery. His description of mediaeval Bruges seen from the air lying "flat on the landscape like a bejewelled pendant... hung suspended from the North Sea fog by its Sea Canal" is a case in point. He brings the same sensitivity to his descriptions of the affairs of the heart which lie at the core of this book. Beautifully and sensitively described; his characters are real, one identifies with them, and so is drawn into the narrative heightening the enjoyment the story gives. As always, I never want the book to end, but it does, leaving me waiting avidly for the next one - and the one after that. Go buy it, you won't be disappointed.

I've read a lot of Anthony McDonald's books, the Dog in the Chapel trilogy is hugely enjoyable and the Adam books are great too. This book is just so badly written and conceived. I can't believe it's by the same author. The storyline is ridiculous and the whole relationship thing between all the conveniently gay pilots is beyond silly. Before I gave up, I said to myself on a number of occasions ' I can't believe I'm actually reading this nonsense'! Very disappointing.

Wasn't sure about buying this having read some negative reviews but now I am so glad I went ahead with the purchase.I know that to many people, it seems very far fetched, but our lives are not all the same and I can reassure readers that there are times when life conspires to throw us into the most unexpected situations. I found this story beautifully touching; it didn't seem contrived in any way to me. Thank you Anthony for a great read, this on is a keeper.

Another fine piece of atmospheric story telling from Anthony McDonald. The detail is so authentic I believed the author used to fly Silver City airplanes. (Though I suspect he would have been far too young to have been a pilot!). Striking cover, too, which nicely sums up the exuberance of the characters. Hot and romantic.

Another brilliant read from Anthony McDonald. The book is sexy, tender, loving and at times erotic, it also has a wonderful plot structure that has been meticulously researched and anchors the book firmly in place and time. Every character feels real and the intimacy between them is both fun and moving at the same time. This is young love in the context of a young airline in the 1960's and is beautifully imagined by the author. McDonald has always managed to write well in a literary sense and combined with his ability to tell a good story, this makes the book a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read.

Anthony McDonald’s assured and fluent page-turning style veils a deeply human exploration of some very serious issues – commitment, trust, betrayal, faith, love in all its aspects, social pressures, friendship, reconciliation, acceptance are underlying themes throughout his work. Silver City is no exception. A superbly researched depiction of a forgotten era in aviation history, its plot may be improbable but the characters’ responses to their experience are not. Can a three-way relationship really lead to a long-term commitment? What are the challenges, what are the sacrifices needed? The story ends positively in hope, but with many unknowns. It is told by its central character looking back as an old man, so maybe we can look forward to hearing more about ‘what happened next’ – I hope so! Meanwhile, enjoy this exuberant tale and the questions it provokes. Highly recommended!