My first Poppy Z Brite book and definitely my favorite. The book is set primarily in Missing Mile, North Carolina, although there is a visit to New Orleans, Brite's stomping grounds. The story itself is gritty, dark, psychologically twisted but with a happy ending.
Drawing Blood is essentially a ghost story, about a little boy named Trevor McGee who survives his father's murderous rampage through their home, killing everyone else in the family including himself. This little boy grows up to be Trevor Black, a cartoonist, who returns to his old home to figure out the senseless murder that took place so many years ago, and why he was a survivor of the tragedy. Trevor meets Zach Bosch, a computer hacker on the run from the government, when Zach enters Trevor's home to give him some supplies.
The two boys form a deep bond that eventually blossoms into a sexual interest in each other and they become lovers. (Zach is openly gay while Trevor is indifferent to his sexuality.) They live in Trevor's old home together, occasionally going out to forage for food and supplies in the local town, as well as enjoy the local bands playing in the area. Readers of Brite will recognize some familiar characters from "Lost Souls". But eventually they must confront Trevor's past when poltergeist activity in the home threaten to get them killed before Trevor can find out what exactly happened to his family all those years ago.
It's a great story, really spooky, and very touching how the two boys - who are each so damaged - come together to support the other. The ending is full of hope and happiness for the boys, which is always the best kind of ending. I recommend this to anyone who lives a good ghost story, as well as a love story.
