There have been so many great new books to read over the last few years, I
wish I could spend lots more time reading. I love modern fiction and usually
read the kinds of books that are pretty obscure and never make it to the
bestseller lists, although I do love best-selling authors too, such as John
Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, Wally Lamb, and recently, J. K. Rowling and her
Harry Potter books.
As a former Irish Lit major I may be prejudiced, but right now I am loving
Roddy Doyle's "A Star Called Henry." Doyle also wrote "The Barrytown
Trilogy," which includes "The Commitments," "The Snapper," and "The Van," all
hilarious books which were made into pretty good movies. Other novels include
"The Woman Who Walked Into Doors," a very sad story about an abused woman,
and "Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha," about coming of age in 50's and 60's Dublin.
Doyle is just an amazing writer, always evolving, so remember him next time
you're looking for something great to read. If you've never read "The
Commitments," that's a great place to start. (Even if you've seen the movie.)
And while I'm on an Irish jig here, check out Patrick McCabe's "Breakfast on
Pluto." It's the story of a gender-bending boy who grows up on the border of
Northern Ireland and moves to London and becomes a prostitute during "The
Troubles." It's also often funny -- even as the bombs are going off -- and
brilliantly written. McCabe also wrote "The Butcher Boy," which I love,
although if it is pretty gory.
When it comes to gay literature, I spent years bemoaning the fact that there
was little to read other than Edmund White, who puts me to sleep faster than
any over-the-counter sedatives. But now, there's a renaissance of sorts, and
there's Allan Gurganus, Alan Hollinghurst, Christopher Bram, Michael Chabon
and many others who are writing stuff I love. Pat Barker, a straight (I
think) British woman, has written an incredible gay-themed trilogy of WWI
that includes the books "The Ghost Road," "Regeneration," and "The Eye in the
Door." She (like Roddy Doyle) also won the Booker Prize for her work.
Incidentally, the Booker Prize Web site is always a good place to find ideas
for what to read next. It's at
http://www.utc.edu/~engldept/booker/booker.htm
Like Jimmy, I also love David Sedaris and everything he has written. He will
make you laugh out loud, guaranteed. He is gay, although he resists the label
"gay writer" for, I think, good reason. His stories of family life and
growing up in the boomer years are universal in appeal. I love recommending
Sedaris to friends, straight or gay, and then waiting for the phone to ring
with hysterical laughter and endless thank-yous on the other end of the line.
For a quick sample of him reading from "Me Talk Pretty One Day," go to
http://www.salon.com/audio/2000/10/05/sedaris_mepretty/index.html
I hear he's working on an essay about Bob Muller's high school years. Does
anyone know if this is really true?
Take care,
--Bob
