ChaimD reviewed Out of the Shadows by Walt Odets
Review of 'Out of the Shadows' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I have just finished this book and I have much to think about. I'll have to come back to write a longer review.
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Live in Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland, Aotearoa/NZ.
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ChaimD reviewed Eighty-sixed by Feinberg, David B.
In 1980, B. J. Rosenthal's only mission is to find himself a boyfriend and avoid …
Review of 'Eighty-sixed' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
It took me a long time to read this book; what do I, gay and living in NZ, have in common with the main character, gay, living in NYC, during the early years of the AIDS crisis? I'm glad I persevered. The main similarity is the fact that we both lived during a time when AIDS is ever present - BJ, the character, unfortunately though during the early years, and myself, much much later.
The book is structured over a calendar year, and we see the life of BJ as a gay man in the NYC gay community. There's the large network of friends, lovers and ex-lovers. There's work. Family. His therapist. We see BJ chat with friends, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends, as slowly the spectre of AIDS looms over him. This is in the time when there were no easy HIV tests, so every swollen gland, every cough leads to …
It took me a long time to read this book; what do I, gay and living in NZ, have in common with the main character, gay, living in NYC, during the early years of the AIDS crisis? I'm glad I persevered. The main similarity is the fact that we both lived during a time when AIDS is ever present - BJ, the character, unfortunately though during the early years, and myself, much much later.
The book is structured over a calendar year, and we see the life of BJ as a gay man in the NYC gay community. There's the large network of friends, lovers and ex-lovers. There's work. Family. His therapist. We see BJ chat with friends, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends, as slowly the spectre of AIDS looms over him. This is in the time when there were no easy HIV tests, so every swollen gland, every cough leads to a worry that it might lead to AIDS, which only time will tell.
I marvelled at the author's style of writing - it's a very fast paced action - something that is actually hard to pull off. It reflects I suppose the fast NYC environment where the author lived.
AS a piece of writing it stands as a historical piece, as we remember the way in which Regan shamefully denied any AIDS crisis and denied any funding for tests or research. And it stands for the many thousands of men who needlessly died.
ChaimD rated What Should I Do with My Life?: 4 stars
ChaimD reviewed The Book of Dirt by Bram Presser
Review of 'The Book of Dirt' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This is a remarkable book, blending together family memoir, Jewish folklore and the indescribable horrors of the Holocaust.
ChaimD reviewed 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
In Sapiens, he explored our past. In Homo Deus, he looked to our future. Now, …
Review of '21 Lessons for the 21st Century' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
This book has very solid bones, and it is a great read.
But there's some weak parts, and in some parts things aren't quite correct. For instance, in one chapter the author claims 'cultural factors' are outside of our control. Excuse me; #metoo, #BLM, the rise in the use of Te Reo Maori where I live (NZ), and the fact that the author can live as an openly gay man are all examples of cultural factors which are within our control.
There's a few examples of weak arguments, but these don't detract. They merely annoy.
Otherwise, this is a good book and recommended.
ChaimD reviewed The Avengers by Rich Cohen
Review of 'The Avengers' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I really enjoyed this book.
The author skilfully uncovers a piece of Jewish history from the Shoah that is remarkable. He writes well, and evocatively, blending a barely hinted at love story with political machinations.
Recommended.
Review of "The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World" on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I live in NZ. On an island. With a small population. So there's no endless cities I can flee to, no job hopping, no endless line of men to sleep with. Which contrasts rather dramatically with Mr Downs very Southern Californian and American worldview that permeates through the first two thirds of this book.
Despite that, Mr Downs fortunately leaves enough material for me to hang my particular circumstances on; I had to do some mental aerobics but I found that his perspectives did apply, a little roughly, to my circumstances. Roughly.
But I think his insights are invaluable, because they apply to gay men, a subject area that receives little consideration. I found his arguments persuasive. I found the later half of the book applied to me, much more than the first half. I found overall, his book to be helpful.
ChaimD rated The art of gay cooking: 4 stars
Daniel J. Isengart: The art of gay cooking (2018)
The art of gay cooking by Daniel J. Isengart
"For Daniel Isengart, home cooking has always been an essential part of living a creative life. A cabaret performer and …
ChaimD reviewed Global Gay by Frédéric Martel
Review of 'Global Gay' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This is a great book. I read it over a long weekend.
Mr Martel covers a great deal of physical territory, over a period of time, and what emerges is a considered and thoughtful observation of gays worldwide. Lesbians aren't the focus here, but I suspect Mr Martel's 'gay' could cover lesbians as well in some respects, such is his observations.
I came away from the book more committed to supporting gays and lesbians in places where there is repression and homophobia. Indeed Mr Martel observes that the US hasn't exported homosexuality as some leaders think - it's exported homophobia.
The book offers a great insight for me as a gay man as to what is happening to gays elsewhere in the world, lifting my eyes up from my local situation. It makes me hopeful that somewhere, some young gay is currently lip syncing to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" …
This is a great book. I read it over a long weekend.
Mr Martel covers a great deal of physical territory, over a period of time, and what emerges is a considered and thoughtful observation of gays worldwide. Lesbians aren't the focus here, but I suspect Mr Martel's 'gay' could cover lesbians as well in some respects, such is his observations.
I came away from the book more committed to supporting gays and lesbians in places where there is repression and homophobia. Indeed Mr Martel observes that the US hasn't exported homosexuality as some leaders think - it's exported homophobia.
The book offers a great insight for me as a gay man as to what is happening to gays elsewhere in the world, lifting my eyes up from my local situation. It makes me hopeful that somewhere, some young gay is currently lip syncing to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" - and makes me realise that in all probability, that is exactly what is happening right now as I type - and in doing so, builds a better world for all of us.
