The Best Little Boy in the World Grows Up

Tobias, premier financial author (The Only Other Investment Guide You'll Ever Need, 1987; My Vast Fortune, 1997, etc.), now turns to autobiography and reveals to the few who don't already know that he is homosexual. A quarter-century ago, using a nom de plume, Tobias wrote a gay classic, The Best Little Boy in the World, which has never since gone out of print. Now, using his true name, he brings us up to date on his own parallel progress in straight and gay worlds, and on the advances America has made in confronting those, like himself, whose sex drive had been multiplied by minus one. His concerns are unsurprising in an-emerging-from-the-closet memoir: how to tell the folks (there was no problem with the Tobiases, once Andy got around to doing it); dealing with losses to AIDS; loneliness; dating and the search for Mr. Right (his type is Tom Cruise); all the many blighted romances and the rigors of true love. Along the way come serial relationships with Peter, Scot, Ed, Tony, Bruce, Matt, Stevie, Tab, and now Charles, with whom Tobias has exchanged rings. And tells of the Renaissance Weekends - where our Merry Andrew became a true Friend of Bill, the Friendly President - and festive weekends at Fire Island, etc., etc. Withal, nothing much here is shocking. Tobias admits to being a good hugger but happily won't confide further. Yet the text may enrage Trent Lott and Pat Robertson anyhow. It will probably engage some in the gay and lesbian community. The languorous passages may simply bore many straights who wander in hoping for investment advice. Tobias pleads for understanding, maybe a contribution to a good gay-rights cause, and, of course, auto insurance reform (his other constant worry). (Kirkus Reviews)