Queereaders discussion

Would have been better named Hustler Culture. What happens when a hustler falls in love. The narrator is a fussy prostitute; fussy because he is very selective about his “dates”. He also has two room mates. Joe lusts after him. He lusts for Andrew. Andrew is interested in the narrator but doesn’t like the hustling. But selling his body is all that he knows.

Boy has many funny parts, especially the “sexual index” at the back of the book.

ttp://bevd.edublogs.org/

Speaking of Hustler Culture, have you read the autobiographical novels by John Rechy

I have not heard of Rechy. Is there any one book in particular that your would recommend?

I read 3 of his books in the late 70's after I exploded out of my closet. City of Night is his 1st novel, about the hustler scene in LA in the late '60's. And, Numbers is about cruising obsession and what it's like when one ages and becomes a seeker rather than a sought-after. The Coming of the Night is about more mainstream gay culture before HIV.

I have strong memories and feelings about these novels, still. So, I guess they really spoke to me. They are dark and disturbing livre noir. Not as dark as say Jean Genet's works. If you were out and about in the post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS gay culture, you will certainly recognize or empathize with the characters. If you are younger, they are telling about how thing were before AIDS.

His other works, I have not read.

I am not sure how I would react today, but think I will re-read them.

Thanks for the expanded information. I will give them a try.

I really like Boy Culture - Joe was always my favorite character. I also loved the relationship that the main character had with one of his..."clients" - who was a much older guy.

And I agree with Kernos on Rechy - City of Night is worth it. Ditto on Genet - Edmund White is more pragmatical than Genet though.