Book excerpt: This expressive novel follows John Ryan as he narrates his journey from adolescence to adulthood, detailing his struggles with an oppressive mother, his early sexual confusion and experimentation, and his family's and society's view of homosexuality as a shamefully perversion. It dramatically unfolds with expert attention to emotional nuance and colorful dialogue. The reader is immediately immersed in the darkness and claustrophobia of the narrator's world. The scenes detailing John's sexual experiences are vivid and intense; they are each unique and psychologically revealing. Though Youth is Gone is a compelling and interesting emotional portrait of a boy/man's journey.