Bernard Amador

The Rut Bernard Amador

This novel set in the North Country of New York State explores gay adoption in an entertaining way for both gay and general audiences. Ean is a young gay man who works as a Forensic Case Manager at a social services agency, who has been married to Stacy, an Assistant District Attorney, for three years. Stacy feels compelled to adopt a child Ean names Tur (Rut spelled backwards), who is about to be placed in foster care. As their journey with Tur begins, Ean almost loses Stacy in a car accident with a male bull moose. Stacy dies suddenly after years of disability. Ean tries to start a new life with Tur without Stacy; however, he encounters many impediments ranging from suicidal thoughts to the Cinderella complex. Ean must overcome the final conflict of allowing Mark, a moose-obsessed Department of Conservation (DEC) worker, to fully enter his life or perish in loneliness. In the end, Ean triumphs as he allows Mark, a new male "bull", into his life.