From all the reviews I had read and the buzz I had heard, Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada was presented as a classic gay coming-of-age novel. And it is, indeed. Well-drawn and well-rounded characters, wonderfully penned text that brings the people and locales to life, and a story that, in the end, is beautiful, tender and, sadly, heartbreaking. Like all great coming-of-age novels, this one is authentic, true-to-life and honest. No gimmicks nor dramatic license. I really connected with the lead character, the teen boy with the humorous–and foretelling–name Trotsky. His trials with coming out, first love, and how his mother’s political views affect him and his family are written with great care. I loved this book, indeed one of the best coming-of-age tales you will ever find.