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One Man Guy Paperback – June 14, 2016

by Michael Barakiva (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 517 ratings
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Summer school, a cute boy, and overbearing Armenian parents―what’s a guy to do?

Alek Khederian was looking forward to a relaxing summer. But when his parents announce that he’ll be attending summer school in order to bring up his grades, Alek is sure this experience will be just as hellish as his freshman year of high school. But he never could’ve predicted that he’d meet someone like Ethan.

Ethan is everything Alek wishes he were: confident, free-spirited, and irreverent. When Ethan gets Alek to cut school and go to a Rufus Wainwright concert in New York City’s Central Park, Alek embarks on his first adventure outside the confines of his suburban New Jersey existence. He can’t believe a guy this cool wants to be his friend. And before long, it seems like Ethan wants to be more than friends. Alek has never thought about having a boyfriend―he’s barely ever had a girlfriend―but maybe it’s time to think again.

Michael Barakiva's One Man Guy is a romantic, moving, laugh-out-loud-funny story about what happens when one person cracks open your world and helps you see everything―and, most of all, yourself―like you never have before.

“A romantic comedy with Armenian flair . . . Don’t miss it.” ―E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars

“A kind and generous book about the loneliness of a young boy trying to navigate between a chaotic Armenian family and a school of bullying cliques. Alek Khederian deals bravely and inspiringly with the perils of learning to love your family, to love someone else, and most of all, to love yourself.” ―Eleanor Bergstein, novelist and screenwriter of the film Dirty Dancing

“Hand this one to those who’ve already gone through Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy and Kluger’s My Most Excellent Year.” ―The Bulletin

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    2 - 9
  5. Lexile measure
    820L
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.61 x 8.15 inches
  7. Publisher
    Square Fish
  8. Publication date
    June 14, 2016
  9. ISBN-10
    125007357X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1250073570
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Hand this one to those who’ve already gone through Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy and Kluger’s My Most Excellent Year.” ―The Bulletin

“Barakiva's first novel is at once a sweet-spirited love story . . . the Armenian content adds flavor and texture..” ―Booklist

“The story will appeal to both young people who are just discovering their own sexuality and readers who enjoy a good budding romance.” ―School Library Journal

“Barakiva's debut is well-wrought and realistic . . . and it's entertaining.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Barakiva avoids stereotypes and clichés to create a sweet portrait of nascent adolescent love between two boys growing up and finding themselves (with some help from nearby New York City).” ―Publishers Weekly

“A romantic comedy with Armenian flair . . . Don’t miss it.” ―E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars

“A kind and generous book about the loneliness of a young boy trying to navigate between a chaotic Armenian family and a school of bullying cliques. Alek Khederian deals bravely and inspiringly with the perils of learning to love your family, to love someone else, and most of all, to love yourself.” ―Eleanor Bergstein, novelist and screenwriter of the film Dirty Dancing

About the Author

Michael Barakiva, author of Keepers of the Stones and Stars, One Man Guy, and Hold My Hand, is an Armenian/Israel-American theater director and writer who lives in Manhattan with his husband. He is a graduate of Vassar College and the Juilliard School, and an avid cook and board-game player.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Square Fish; Reprint edition (June 14, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 125007357X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250073570
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 18 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 820L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.61 x 8.15 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 517 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Michael Barakiva

Michael Barakiva

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Michael Barakiva is an Armenian/Israeli American director and writer who was born in Haifa, grew up in New Jersey, attended Vassar College and the Juilliard School, lived most of his life in New York City, and now serves as Artistic Director of the Cleveland Play House.

His third novel, a cheeky contemporary queer protagonist epic fantasy, KEEPERS OF THE STONES AND STARS, will be published in May 2024. He also wrote ONE MAN GUY (lots of awards!) and its standalone sequel HOLD MY HAND.

Michael is an avid board game player, loves to knit, Crossfit, and cook, and believes that story is an integral part of the human experience.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
517 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Gymnut
5.0 out of 5 stars PLEASE read this book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is one of my favorites for a light, easy read that will still make me feel things. Even if you're not gay, not Armenian, don't live anywhere near New Jersey, you'll still relate to this book and connect deeply to all the characters. I'm not going to lie, some of the dialogue does feel a little stilted or sounds like an adult trying to talk like a kid, but it in no way detracts from my enjoyment of the story. This is a beautiful story about many people trying to figure out who they are, what they believe, how to step out of the culture you were raised in while still being true to yourself, and so much more.

Bottom line--- please read this book. It's not long at all, I finished it easily in one day, and it will provide an excellent, heartwarming story and make you do some deep reflection of yourself.
2 people found this helpful
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Char
4.0 out of 5 stars cute young adult novel
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2020
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a very cute book about coming to terms with your heritage, your place in the world, and your orientation. it was cute, not too deep, and the LGBT issues weren't exactly at the forefront. overall i enjoyed the writing style and it's perfect for teen readers age 13 and up.
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whatbookishannahreading
5.0 out of 5 stars It will pull at your heartstrings!
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023
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I ADORE this book!! It will pull at your heartstrings and possibly make you cry. I cannot WAIT for book two!

“Because anyone who thinks there is something wrong with being gay is like those people you read about in History who believed in segregation.”
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Casey Carlisle
3.0 out of 5 stars You can’t run away from life, your problems, or puberty….
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2016
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I’ve been on a kick with GLBTQI+ titles recently, I think it’s that searching for identity and forbidden love thing… I hope that doesn’t say something about my state of mind at the present time… moving on. I was looking for a sweet contemporary in ‘One Man Guy’ and that’s exactly what I got.

I really enjoyed the cultural references from our protagonist Alek’s heritage – Armenian history and lifestyle; not to mention the food. I got hunger pains just reading the descriptions off the page.

There are some themes that really shone for me – standing up for yourself, fighting for what is right, acceptance when facing adversity… all about courage, mirroring what the Armenian culture itself has had to endure.

All of the characters are flawed and struggle with their own demons, and it was a wonderfully diverse and fully rounded cast that brought this story to life.

There is a strong sense of family and tradition. An expectation of carrying on a legacy. Coming from an Australian household, this experience was unique and not something I had in my upbringing.

Apart from these aspects, ‘One Man Guy’ fell a bit flat for me. I expected it to be funnier. There were a few laugh out loud moments, but for some reason I felt the narrative set up the premise that there would be more hilarity. But this is only a minor, personal misgiving.

Alek and Ethan are fun realistic characters and I loved how they approached life and family. You can really feel the different atmospheres of both of their homes. I particularly liked Nana – she an endearing character, reminding me of all the grandparents of my friends, sitting with them at the dinner table at sleepovers. That too was something which I experienced little and my Grandparents lived half a continent away… their presence, habits, little sayings and stories all add to the sense of family heritage. Nana especially embraces the old Armenian ways and language which I found to be the heart and soul of Alek’s home.

This is a fairly easy read – slow in the first half, with a better flow for the latter part. I ended up putting this book down a number of times due to disinterest. I wasn’t exactly bored, but it failed to capture me. All the characters were relatable, but the narrative could have been more upbeat and engaging – possibly due to my expectations of a more comedic read. But nonetheless a quaint modern contemporary.
One person found this helpful
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Ric Ricardo
5.0 out of 5 stars Takes you back to undiscovered love
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2014
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I have enthusiastically read this refreshing novel. Not only have the characters and the story taken me back to a young age when love and passion were discovered, but they made me live the emotions connected to that discovery in a renewed, powerful way.

The struggle to challenge prejudice and conventionality is depicted with humorous notes that make you smile and sometimes laugh out loud all along the way. In its narrative structure, the author masters comedy within a plot which conveys elements of heartache and social pain.
As a reader, I also felt like the spectator of a play or movie who is amazed at watching the paradox of life with the help of witty and unexpected situations.
Aside from more classic aspects, the love for food and cooking as a catalyzing force gives the novel a unique "flavor" (pardon the term) as it adds a tender and compassionate approach to the characters' plights.
In conclusion, in my opinion this is great reading for both young and young-at-heart. I hope to read more from Mr. Barakiva soon (and why not see a movie or theatre adaptation of the book). This said, I definitely need to listen to more Rufus Wainwright songs from now on!
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Michael
4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed every minute.
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
Overall I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and the way they changed. At times, I felt like things moved so quickly, that they weren't fully believable, like how Alek (the main character) all of a sudden just accepted his sexuality without giving it much thought it seemed. But then I remembered just how young the main characters are, and how simple things can be when you lack certain life experiences. I would definitely recommend this as a wonderfully easy read and a heartwarming story.
2 people found this helpful
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Arturo Estrada
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Amazing and emotionally satisfying
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2014
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This book was amazing. It was romantic and humorous and yet it discussed many topics and experiences we all go through and have to deal with.Our culture and heritage, our family, what you have to do VS. What we want, and other topics that really make you think. That's what made this such a good book. It offered romance and hurt and added thought provoking material, that what makes a really good memorable book. I enjoyed this so much, plus it had a happy ending and good resolution. What's not I love about this book? I will read this time and time again because of the way it made me feel(the joy and happiness and emotional satisfaction) and I'll share it with others as well. Once again amazingly props to the author Michael. Great piece of art/work for others to enjoy and share in the times/days to come.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kikoclo
3.0 out of 5 stars Avis sans spoil ~
Reviewed in France on August 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
Hey, c'est un bon livre !
J'ai apprécié la lecture même si le format est un peu plus grand qu'un livre "standard" est peu paraître un peu long.

Les personnages sont attachants (peut être un peu cliché mais pas trop.)
La narration à la 3ème personne m'a un peu déstabilisée mais ça reste agréable à lire.

Avec un niveau d'anglais moyen, je pense avoir compris l'histoire, une histoire simple, adorable, drôle :)
One person found this helpful
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Mr. M. Lloyd
5.0 out of 5 stars All I Ever Wanted to Know...
Reviewed in Australia on July 12, 2019
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Micheal Barakiva's novel is delightful and filled with deeply interesting characters who are so believable. He may not have meant his book to be an introduction to the Armenian/American experience but these insights deepen and enrich the experience and contributes to the success of the plot.
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TRIMONTIUM
5.0 out of 5 stars OUT AND ABOUT.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2016
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A great read which captures sexual orientation and cultural expectations in an entertaining way. A must read for young people in particular.
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Alberto Toledo
5.0 out of 5 stars De cómo el amor cambia la vida.
Reviewed in Mexico on April 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
Este libro me dejó sintiéndome muy bien. Es de un chico que tiene unos padres sobreprotectores que no lo dejan tener su propia personalidad, pero él un día conoce a un chico que lo hace descubrir todo sobre él mismo (desde su homosexualidad hasta su capacidad de tomar sus propias decisiones, pasando por gustos musicales y de ropa).

El libro además tiene muchos elementos que hablan de la cultura de Armenia, porque la familia del protagonista proviene de ahí. Uno aprende sobre su forma de ver el mundo, el trauma del genocidio y el énfasis en la comida.

Me identifiqué con la historia porque de chavito yo era ñoño, hasta que conocí a un chico que cambió mi vida. Yo no tuve un final feliz como el libro, pero de todos modos fue algo importante para mi.
3 people found this helpful
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So many books, so little time
5.0 out of 5 stars will be startled and delighted by his writing
Reviewed in Canada on June 29, 2015
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Michael Barakiva gives us a fresh take on the 'coming of age' story. One Man Guy is layered with humour and rich insights that all the ackwardness of being a teenager can reveal. His novel is not just for a Y/A readership, however - adults of all ages - particularly parents, will be startled and delighted by his writing.
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