ustxtxb_obs_1989_03_24_50_00019-00000_000.pdf

accommodate in one slim novel the whole gay issues agenda and what seems like endless passages devoted to several characters’ solopsistic preoccupations is itself something of a literary accomplishment. Perhaps it is solopsistic preoccupation, this continued selfexamination, that the author attempts to exorcise. And, the central question here is the important one: Does the Epidemic require a new morality, or only prudence in the gay community? In the course of resolving these questions, and the protagonist’s fundamentally Oedipal conflict, the reader will encounter more phalluses than are framed in Mapplethorpe’s Black Book and perhaps even be overcome with a sense of impending dermatitis as skin wears against skin. This is no novel for the homophobe. Nor for those who find erotica, and more particularly homoerotica, objectionable. Were this a play or a filmscript \(and could be said to include more movement than action. If you’re looking for the one book that best defines the complexity of the gay experience, read again David Leavitt’s The Lost Language of Cranes. The Blue Lady can wait. SUBSCRIBE TO THE OBSERVER Send the Observer to name address city state zip this subscription is for myself gift subscription; send card in my name $27 enclosed for a one-year subscription bill me for $27 name address city state zip THE TEXAS OBSERVER 307 W. 7th ST. AUSTIN 78701 March Irises and mesquites would not bud but purple milk vetch was spreading near patches of burr clover wheels Mowers and chainsaws screamed, Rushing to prune the trees we’d missed we were trying to beat spring, henbit already ganging on lawns but winter rye was holding on, deep chills whistling through limbs Something was wrong No dandelions were seeding and crocuses weren’t rising Winds bullied hedges day after day A hard freeze hit and held We had planted our gardens too early Easter was still three weeks away, snow was forecast for tomorrow, but the weekend was due to be hot James Hoggard A timely print job means nothing if it doesn’t make it _ to the post office on time. Our people do what it takes to make your deadline. We can do the whole job from computer mailing list production and printing to labeling and delivery. Call Futura at 389-1500. Em loyee Owned and Managed COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AUSTIN, TEXAS 3019 Alvin DeVane, Suite 500-; 389-1500 Data Processing Typesetting Printing Mailing THE TEXAS OBSERVER 19