Hard Candy

Some people aren’t meant for small-town life. Take Jayson Blocher: The endearing, fame-obsessed gay teen dresses in drag and blows up his garage while filming a knockoff of Dynasty in his Wisconsin backyard, before his helpless mom ships him off to live with his semi-famous actor father (whom he didn’t know existed) in New York City.   

Besides packing the uproarious 1980’s-set novel Candy Everybody Wants (out May 13) with outlandish antics, author Josh Kilmer-Purcell offers a satiric cautionary tale about chasing celebrity — and what happens when the 15 minutes are over. Jayson discovers his Dad is now all washed up, running a gay escort service for dirty old men. And when the kid himself lands a gig on a TV show, his costar is a boozy, bitter has-been actress who tells Jayson his hometown of Oconomowoc “sounds like an Indian reservation that had to pawn off its consonants.”

Candy also delivers a touching love story about Jayson and his boyfriend Devlin; their relationship becomes strained as Jayson’s fame — and ego — grow. “I will never give you up, I’m addicted,” the rising star tells Devlin early on. It might be an easy promise to keep in Oconomowoc, but this, kid, is showbiz.

Candy Everybody Wants will be available May 13 from Harper Perennial Books.

Bookmark this article

MORE WORDS ON MODERN TONIC

Dysfunction Junction

Matt Rothschild’s childhood was like something out of Gossip Girl. He lived in a 19-room apartment on Fifth Avenue, where he had a driver and a housekeeper. He ... more

Camera Shy

Before Britney Spears flashed her hoo-ha for photographers and Paris Hilton lived her life in front of cameras, some stars — real ones — weren’t always keen on ... more

The Single Life

Wake up. Go to work. Head to the gym. Flirt with a student. Welcome to a day in the lonely life of George, a 58-year-old gay college professor at the center of ... more

Living History

It’s been a pretty good year for gays, all things considered: A third state legalized same-sex marriage; celebrities continued to flee the closet; and one poll even ... more

We Love Los Angeles

The vintage images in Bruce of Los Angeles: Inside/Out spark such a sweet rush of excitement that you almost want to shove this coffee-table tome in your sock drawer. ... more

The Impossible Dream

When our forefathers spoke of The American Dream, did they mean that we all have the right to make it big in showbiz? That seems to be one interpretation floating around, ... more