The Sins of Jack Branson: A Novel (Modern Myth Trilogy)

Five stars is not enough. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read with immersion reading (listening to audio book and reading.) The effect of the two combined was amazing with this book. The narrator was great. Characters had Irish, English, French, Welsh and Chicago American accents. In addition there were some audio background sounds. The first time I have ever found an audio book to have background sounds. The book is very creativity written. The character are well developed with a lot of depth. in addition to all of the above, it is very sexy. I highly recommend immersion reading this book.

Does great job of re-creating a world that is so different from ours, but not so very long ago. The events might be unbelievable, if they weren’t based on a true story! A fun read.

A fictional recount of a group of characters that launch a make brothel in the 1880s in London. It’s loosely based on another actual libel trial concerning sodomy in the same times as the Oscar Wilde trial,

I really liked this. I usually go for MM ROMANCE and thought that was what I was getting, but this was more literary IMO. I cried for the characters and laughed along with them. It broke my heart and uplifted it as well. I loved how the first part was as a book. Jacks journey was epic and I hope (imagine) that he and Oliver lived out their lives together and happy

I gave five (5) stars because overall the book and the story shared had so many aspects to it that I could relate to.Growing up in the 1950s-1970s in the Midwest, being gay was NOT openly accepted during those years (or years afterwards). So this background experience/upbringing helped me to connect with the characters in the book and their struggles for self-identification and acceptance.I did find that the notions expressed had more of a current time ring to them than perhaps may have been the case back in those days.I found the flow of the overall book to be interesting and different. I easily related to each of the characters and often found myself frustrated with some of the decisions and actions some of the characters made. In my opinion, that means the writer/author has made the character as life-like as one can.As acknowledged by the author, much of the book is based on earlier experiences of real individuals back in the day--altered by the author to fit his narrative.The ending is disappointing but reflective of the times--not this ending was poorly written, just that there is enough hope and determination that it is easy to be seduced with the notion that "right will win out". As the world all too clearly reminds those that are different, things go in the direction of those who are less interested in our differences.I would recommend this as book to read. The writing is clear, keeping the narrative going forward and draws in the reader easily.So if you like reading about earlier times (London 1880s-1890s), I think you will find this book an entertaining read with enough authenticity to make it seem very realistic.

The Sins of Jack Branson: A Novel by David Schulze offers a solid premise of the persecution of gays in the Victorian era. Jack Branson is a male gay prostitute for the high and mighty in British society. What evolves is a sordid tale filled with challenges and intrigue for Jack. The story moves along at a pretty good pace but did feel wordy in parts. The characters are well-rendered and detailed. Some of the vernacular seems inaccurate and more applicable to current times, however. Overall though a fun read.

Not only is this a great read, with great historical context, and the audible version is superb. The narrator is able to play the parts with different accents for each character, so it feels as if there is more than one person speaking. Highly recommended.

I could not put this book down. While I might have felt that some contemporary historical liberties were a bit too obvious in the story telling, it took little time to realize it was intentional and made the story both more relatable and more accessible. Think of its contemporary liberties in much the same way as those taken in the film Moulin Rouge - a historical story utilizing modern pop and rock songs? Weird, but it makes us understand it all the more. Bravo to Mr. Schulze!

I was about 50 pages into this book before it clicked that this is "based on a true story" AKA based on a erotic novella written by an actual Irish prostitute in the 1880s. This completely realization changed the readability of the book for me. I was having trouble with the tone of the 'journal entries' not matching the nationality or time period of the main character HOWEVER, after reading the original story "The Sins of the Cities of the Plain" I better appreciate the liberties and voice that David brings to the story for the modern mass market audience.

Intriguing, well-researched insight into that lifestyle in the late 19th century and still relevant today in many backward corners of our so-called modern world. Look forward to reading the author's next novel.

Immense parallel of the Jack Saul novel. Read one you've more or less read both.While some poetic licence is acceptable, the author should have brushed up on some aspects of Victorian life and London. For example, in this book the protagonist sent his mother a letter everyday enclosing £5. This would have been a huge sum in those days. Most workers earning a few shillings a week for a 10 hour 6 day week. And the brothel paying the police inspector 20% of profits plus £100 a month for immunity!The author should also enlighten himself a little more about the geography of the capital as he has Jack walking from Whitechapel to Camden Town via Westminster and then somehow through Marylebone. Nit picking perhaps but it does detract from the overall 'atmosphere' of the book. Similarly I doubt that there would be public speakers addressing the public in Belgrave Square which is the foremost address in central London. Today it mainly house embassies and international companies, but at that time it would have been the domicile of the very wealthy.The book is a light read but not great literature

Refreshing, that's the word that comes to mind as I start this review, refreshing. I read M/M romance 99.99% of my reading time, some plots are repeated, sex scenes the same old same old, men's attitudes similar, always enjoyable but always the same, until this one. I turn to my old favorite, historical m/m, now and then for a recharge, this one was a punch in the gut, a stunning piece of work. An amazing tale of one man's incredible journey through life and all the mind boggling adventures on the way. The sex, and especially the orgies, are well described but, somehow, not offensive as you can't help but like Jack, his gusto for sex is admirable. The first half is Jack's story, told in first person, but at around 63% it suddenly, in the middle of a chapter no less, switches to third person, quite a bold move and a little disconcerting, for a moment I felt I'd lost something but the story remained totally engrossing after I'd readjusted. What makes it all the more amazing is that in his postscript the author explains that this is all based on actual persons and events, although a little creative license has been used. But, he adds, all the most unbelievable parts of this story actually did happen.Oh, and Mary's verbal diarrhea at 78% (checking my kindle it says it's page 292) is absolutely hilarious, I was choking with laughter as I stumbled through it.

This is an unusual book and not always easy reading. It is basically the story of a Victorian, Irish, rent boy, living and working in London and of his trials and triumphs. It appears to be a novel of recent writing, judging by some of the modern terminology, and heavily based on two other books, The Sins of Jack Saul, which is a biography of an actual Irish, Victorian, rent boy, working in London and The Sins of the Cities of the Plain, which purports to be the autobiography of Jack Saul, although there is some doubt about whether Jack Saul actually wrote it. I have to admit that I am still in the process of reading The Sins of Jack Branson but am about 75% of the way through it and am finding it compelling reading. I would recommend that anyone, with an interest in the subject, read it and make up their own minds as it will not be everyone's cup of tea.