With dozens of new lesbian/gay book titles flooding the market recently, its easy for a new release to get lost, particularly as many of those new titles are by established and sought after authors that grab all the reviews and headlines.
But not to be missed among this latest surge is The Risk of His Music, a collection of stories by Peter Weltner. On the surface these are seven disconnected tales, seven individual stories that are as far apart as the settings in which they are placed. But simmering below the surface of each are universal truths about life that are exquisitely and powerfully told. Each story stands profoundly on its own, but taken as a whole they are a study of the sacred things of life itself, exploring love and friendship, the kindness of a good samaritan, how to survive when youre different, the power curse of beauty and perfection, and the eternal quest for happiness. Some of the stories have a dark underbelly as well, where death spills secrets and illuminates truths that expose the delusions in which we sometimes live.
Like the voice of a poet, Weltner tells his stories lyrically, the words moving gracefully, visually, emotionally across each page as the stories build and unfold.
The first selection, The Greek Head, is a tale about two couples who live a floor apart, Don and Roger, Charlie and Sam. They have been friends for years, have traveled and dined together, know each other well, but when Don dies and Charlie moves out, the fragility of relationships and the demands of friendship become open wounds that the three survivors attempt to heal in their own ways.
The title story is a carefully crafted tale about two boys, a story about being different, about discovery and survival. Shame brought Roy and Nolan together. Roy felt "peculiar and morbid" for having stopped growing at 52", and Nolan, who was badly burned in a fire, has no friends because he doesnt want anyone to see the worst of his scars. They are everything to each other, but their friendship is tested when Roy needs the help of Orville Earl, the local eccentric auto mechanic, to check out his car. Orville introduces Roy to classical music, takes him to concerts, and sweeps him away with music hes never heard before as they sit up and listen to recordings in Orvilles house 'till late into the morning. But theres something else going on in this house, too, with Jake and Ken upstairs, something thats heavily present but undefined. Roy senses it too, and at that awkward stage of discovery hes part afraid, part attracted. His friendship with Orville is ended but his fascination with the house and its men is not. Hanging out with Nolan again, who has never been interested in music but who is now listening to Chet Baker records nonstop, the story comes to a wild, frenetic and ultimately beautiful climax.
But perhaps Weltner saves his best for last. Unlike Himself, set in New Orleans, is a magical tale of the intersection of two disparate lives: Brice Landry, the "radiantly self-luminous" hustler, and Arthur Loudermilk, a very aged man who has sequestered himself in a girls school all his life to avoid the temptation of men. Cursed by an old gypsy woman, Arthur meets Brice and after an emotionally violent trick, the two men wake the following morning, each in their own beds, to realize that they have changed bodies but not quite their minds, Arthur now a ravaging beauty, still a brilliant school teacher but with the carnal urges and memories of Brice, while Brice is an old man bitter that his beauty and sex have been taken from him. This is a very rich meditation on life, love and beauty as the two must try to find a way to break the curse.
Little Book Notes: Classic Beach Reading
Its beach season again! Throughout the summer Ill be alerting you to great beach reads, new books in paperback, and other fabulous new releases you simply must have. For now, time to stock up on these paperbacks to read on the beach or, God forbid, a rainy weekend.
A Ghost in the Closet (Mabel Maney) One of my all time favorites, this hysterical parody of the Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Cherry Ames mysteries delivers laughs page after page. Action! Suspense! Romance! Mystery! (Also check out the Case of the Not No So Nice Nurse and the Case of the Good for Nothing Girlfriend).
The Serpents Gift (Helen Elaine Lee) The Washington Post calls this "beautifully crafted," "profoundly insightful," and "staggeringly accomplished." Lambda Risings Babo says "I will recommend this book until the day I die."
Sacrament (Clive Barker) The Advocate calls this "a mind-bending tale that is undeniably and forcibly compelling." Also a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award for sci-fi.
Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady (Florence King) This is a great primer to the biting hilarity and humor of this essayist, novelist and columnist. Youll gasp, then laugh out loud. The New York Times has called her "intolerant, insensitive, and very, very funny." Shes all that and more. Also check out the Florence King Reader and other titles.
Blue Heaven (Joe Keenan) On the outside chance theres someone who has not read this hysterical classic, RUN and get it now. The outrageous characters and plot twists are priceless as gay boy Gilbert and devious girl Moia plan to marry so they can get great gifts from Gilberts new fabulously wealthy step father.
The Passion (Jeanette Winterson) Dont let the fact that this is set in the era of Napoleon throw you. This is one of the most richly, gorgeously told tales of love and life. Normally after someone reads this, theyll come back to buy several copies to give as gifts to friends. Also check out her other many titles, including her new one, Gut Symmetrics.
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5/16/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.