New York, One Gay Date At A Time

Book Review: Perfume

Perfume by Patrick Suskind

I have just finished reading a masterpiece, or very close to one, I’m still bathing in the gloriously mischievous ending as I write this. I an author, one hoping to achieve greatness in magical realism, I have now been won over by another. I have found a peer.

Perfume is the story of a murder most sadistic and magnificent, at times I felt like I was watching Six Feet Under. In other moments I knew I was reading a poet at work, someone who instinctively knows how to string words as they create the allure of smell. Patrick Suskind has written Perfume with the utmost sensibility and understanding of pleasure, from words and of smell. He has crafted Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to be at the same time saint and mad man.

This novel creates just that, the sense of smell through words, its immaculately researched and true to turn of the century Paris, in all of it’s stink. Ultimately the story is about love and what turns a monster into a glorious criminal. It is about the human need for love, I couldn’t stop wondering about the path Grenouille was set upon and with such certainty accepted because he knew no other road to take. He reacted to the human need to demolish each other. The main character is, at the same time loveable and horrific. I felt immersed in the era, I was thankful for our current times of apparent “civility”.

I can go into much detail about the book itself, it’s rich with plot and memorable characters, yet I’m sure the guys over at Amazon have done better then I possibly could. I was simply addicted to this book and have instantly fallen in love with the author. I hope you can pick up a copy; the book will not let you go. I have dishes in the sink that are just now allowing themselves to be washed.

I found this book while poor on a Barnes and Noble table. I like to read when I’m impoverished. The novel was recommended by my most ardent editor, who assured me it’s a must read for someone “that writes the way you do.” So I’ve read it and I’m in love.

Get it from Amazon. I’m sure you’ll love it, even if you aren’t’ into the morbid subject matter of murder most foul, you’ll be blown away by the shear prowess of the author.

Book Review: Young Man from the Provinces

I just finished reading Alan Helms, Young Man from the Provinces. I found myself in the pages and eloquently moved by the author, who describes his youth and rise to being a “golden boyman”. He chronicles gay society before Stonewall. I found myself connected to the novel in two ways. His childhood; were he lived with and was raised by a father in the throws of alcoholism and a mother unable to deal with breaking away. The second are the parallels and similarities to current gay society and that of the pre-Stonewall days.

I actually was struck by the way he document his fear, as he grew up in an alcoholic family, how he tried to escape his own life. How the biographer with plain and certain truth, mentioned his shame and his despairing family. He clearly shows how addiction affects childhood. I saw my own family; my father was not addicted to alcohol, but to the paranormal and to the surreal. Just like Alan Helms father disappeared and spent money of on alcohol instead of food. My father spent it on psychics and UFO workshops. He shares the arguments and the heart ache. I was touched by the author’s honesty and understand a bit better that a lot of gay people have grown up in abusive households.

The novels second theme focuses on body worship and youth in gay society. Its value and how truly fleeting it is. How we pray and try to achieve perfection, once that perfection is achieved we are never quite satisfied. The author admits to the constant search of the physically perfect partner. How quickly it fly’s away. Alan Helms builds the desire to be loved and perfected to his early life.

I was hoping that Young Man from the Provinces would focus more on the society around the gay bars. How the world treated gay people. Not simply the isolated world behind the locked doors of the speakeasy gay bars and illicit parties.

I whole heartedly recommend the book, check it out and buy it at Amazon.

 

Book Review, Me Talk Pretty One Day

David Sedaris has mastered style. When I finished reading Me Talk Pretty One Day I found myself wanting a novel from this author. I enjoy this compilation of short stories and essays. He brings to life his characters. His voice resounds off the page; his sentences are metered and straight forward. He has also understood flow, a very elusive device that allows us, the reader, to enjoy and be captivated by his work. He does not bog us down with unnecessary words.

The stories about his father, his time in Paris are delightful. We truly feel his anguish to adjust to the culture. His love for Hugh, for relocating and his dysfunctional affection for his family are all transparent. This is a truly American book. It also shows how Sedaris has matured as a writer.

Naked still remains my favorite. I recommend this book whole-heartedly; you can buy Me Talk Pretty One Day at Amazon.

Check out hot Parisian men.

Book Review, Barrel Fever

This is the first book by David Sedaris. When reading the first few stories I quickly find myself not caring about the character and his fantasies; then the novel opens up. The stories are sexually gratuitous and repetitive – at first. Divided into two parts, that of short stories and then essays.

The stories are caught in moments of pure fantasy with very timely celebrities, I constantly found myself say, “Who is that?” I actually skim read through Parade and just didn’t want to read about Glen’s Homophobia. 

The essays are brilliant. We see the David Sedaris we know and love. The Christmas story made me laugh out loud, I will never look at the Macys Christmas display in the same way again. As an aspiring writer I find great joy in reading first novels – because they are just that the first. Naked is so much better with consistent good writing. I’m also reading Me Talk Pretty Some Day, it’s delightful. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is wonderful. 

Overall a good read, buy Barrel Fever now at Amazon.