A Gentle Man - by John Terry Moore (Paperback)

About the Book

As a young gay man growing up in southwest Victoria, Nick Williams leads a charmed life. But when his father dies a few days before Nick's eighteenth birthday, it changes the course of Nick's life. From rural Australia to India, Nick builds a life as a successful businessman only to watch it crumble in a way he never thought possible. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to be able to see what was in front of you all along.

Book Synopsis

As a young gay man growing up in southwest Victoria, Nick Williams leads a charmed life. Life on the family farm gives him a sense of purpose. His supportive parents are loving and affectionate. And his best friend Aaron is always around to help him get out of trouble. But when his father dies a few days before Nick's eighteenth birthday, it changes the course of Nick's life.

From rural Australia to India, Nick builds a life as a successful businessman only to watch it crumble in a way he never thought possible. Running from betrayal and heartbreak, Nick returns to the land and people who know him best, but sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to be able to see what was in front of you all along.

About the Author

John Terry Moore hails originally from Tasmania, the Australian island state. He completed his education at Hobart Matriculation College, was a farmer and Tasmanian champion single sculler for several years, runner-up in the Australian competition.

After coming out to his family, John made his home in Victoria, holding a number of senior positions in the Victorian automotive industry over a thirty-five-year period. Subsequently, he became a civil marriage and funeral celebrant for many years (now retired), witnessing firsthand rapidly changing Australian public opinion, questioning traditional family structures, and culminating in the marriage equality legislation passing into law in December 2017.

He married his partner Russell Baum on February 21st. 2018.

However, John remains concerned that the fight is never over; right wing politicians, together with some church leaders would seek to wind back the clock to the bad old days where the scourge of homophobia was a major cause of suicide in men under thirty years of age.

Consequently, John seeks to normalize same-sex relationships and inclusiveness through his writing, encouraging all young people to live their lives truthfully, fearlessly, and with dignity, as is their right.

John's interest in economics, politics, and Asian affairs has also played a major role in his writing, and he is unfazed in taking on contemporary issues, including the scourge of coronavirus.

John and his husband have traveled extensively throughout Asia, inserting themselves into the culture and the daily lifestyles of the local people, and consequently have a unique overview and a deep understanding of Asian and South Asian nations, which also feature in his writing.

John and his husband, Russell Baum, live in Geelong, Victoria's largest regional center, one hour from Melbourne, Australia. They were flower growers, raised stud sheep, and bred Kelpies, Australia's working dogs, before moving to Wandana Heights, a Geelong suburb, in semiretirement.

There they have a large network of friends, mostly with canine interests in common. John collects clocks when time permits and fervently espouses the health benefits of red wine.