Synopsis 

Jamie Goldberg suspects his homosexuality at an early age and manages to hide it from his homophobic Seventies Detroit community, his Jewish political activist parents, and even from himself until his rape, at the hands of a male prostitute, at the age of 16. Profoundly ashamed, he hides in two worlds. One world is an intellectual cocoon spun from music, art, theater, and literature. The other is a darker world where sadomasochistic desires attempt to obliterate his sexuality. His elaborate fantasies are no match for real life or his true affections, which blossom in spite of his constant attempts to thwart them. When his carefully constructed imaginary world begins to crumble, Jamie must face his demons, both real and invented, then the emotional sparks fly.

Although this book stands alone, this volume comprises the first installment in The Goldberg Variations series. This series follows its main character on a journey of self-discovery through an odyssey of trials, errors, and the occasional moment of grace leading the main character Jamie Goldberg on his elusive journey to forgiveness and redemption. This journey takes him to many places around the world while meeting a quirky cast of characters along the path to his own surprising, quirky self-discoveries.

Critical praise for volume 1, Rights of Passage: “

“The Rites of Passage is like encountering a gay Portnoy’s Complaint in its distinctive blend of Jewish-ness, sex, moral panic, and maternal dominance.” Seven time Emmy award winning writer Patrick Mulcahey of The Bold and the Beautiful

“Taylor tells the story from Jamie’s perspective in a polished prose enlivened with the protagonist’s neurotic humor … Jamie is thoughtful and highly sympathetic, and readers will be happy to follow him through the formative years of his youth. Taylor succeeds in capturing various moments (however painful or awkward) and revealing their importance.” —Kirkus Review

“When I read the searing tale of Jamie’s journey from childhood through adolescence and young adulthood, I lived it as if it were my own. It chronicles his anguish as he finds himself on the outside, increasingly isolated from family, school and college, his coming to terms with transgressive fantasies and his authentic self …” Kunal Mukherjee, author of My Magical Palace

“Reading The Rites of Passage reminded me of the fragile time in one’s youth when one may or may not mistakenly believe that all information is somehow related to one’s self. So, rather irrationally and hilariously, I started to assume the book was about me …” Rene Capone, gay figure painter and author of many graphic novels including The Legend of Hedgehog Boy

“His life is a symphony of pain, humor, filth, and beauty as he struggles to come to terms with his identity in homophobic America.” Foreward