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Running in Bed
by
Jeffrey Sharlach (Goodreads Author)
In what Kirkus Reviews calls a “vibrant, accomplished debut,” RUNNING IN BED tells the story of a young gay advertising executive struggling to find himself and true love in 1970’s New York. Author Jeffrey Sharlach paints a brilliant picture of life for a gay man at that moment in history. From the streets of Greenwich Village to summers on Fire Island to the dawn of AIDS,...more
Paperback, 291 pages
Published
May 15th 2012
by Two Harbors Press
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Let's look at the blurb, shall we.
Kirkus Reviews and I have a different definition of vibrant but I'll give them the accomplished debut. Although I couldn't name names or titles, I'm sure I must have read worse debut books than this. In fact, compared to most regularly published authors Sharlach is off to a stunning start. But a vibrant debut? No.
In what Kirkus Reviews calls a “vibrant, accomplished debut-”
Kirkus Reviews and I have a different definition of vibrant but I'll give them the accomplished debut. Although I couldn't name names or titles, I'm sure I must have read worse debut books than this. In fact, compared to most regularly published authors Sharlach is off to a stunning start. But a vibrant debut? No.
RUNNING IN BED tells the story of a young gay advertising executive struggling to find him...more
I really loved this book and I think anyone--gay or straight--who wants to know what life was like for a young gay person in this country the period covered (70s - 80s) would enjoy the novel. I was just in high school at the time but I remember reading about gay rights (before I acknowledged they might actually apply to me) and this book zips through that time and how exciting it was for the young gay guys at that time, only to have it all come crashing down with AIDS. This isn't a political boo...more
I think the publisher has done a disservice categorizing this as Gay Fiction since it's a very good novel for any reader, including a middle-aged straight mother of two like myself. A friend of mine gave me this book since she thought I would enjoy it. I used to live and work in New York City in the 1980s and I knew of many people who were affected by AIDS. I say "knew of" instead of "knew" since I didn't really know them well at all personally but I wished I had and reading this book, really he...more
Set in New York City in the late 70s and into the 80s, this is the drama of those who went from a hedonistic lifestyle to one that changed everyone regardless of their sexual orientation. As AIDS appeared on the scene, it began as a mysterious set of symptoms to the recognition of it as a disease, to ineffective treatments, as thousands of people died. Especially hard hit was the gay community.
Mr Sharlach’s first novel shows great promise for him as a writer of fiction. His characters are well d...more
Mr Sharlach’s first novel shows great promise for him as a writer of fiction. His characters are well d...more
Although Running in Bed is fiction, it reads as a very sharp memoir, accurately recalling the gay New York world of the 70's, 80's and early 90's. The author clearly observed the changes in the gay community from being all but completely closeted to out. He has shared the nightmares of the AIDS epidemic, without allowing it to overshadow the relationships of his characters. Truly a fine read, and a clear vision of a period in gay history filled with the anxieties of coming out, both individually...more
I got through the book faster than I intended, which is good and bad. LOL.
I was drawn to the novel largely because of the time period in which it is set. Though I missed most of it, I have a special affinity for the 1970s (TV, music, some films). The early-to-mid 1980s have recently become another area of interest -- particularly as it relates to the onset of AIDS and the response (or lack thereof) to it.
A friend of mine was in his early 30s at this time and continues to marvel to this day abo...more
I was drawn to the novel largely because of the time period in which it is set. Though I missed most of it, I have a special affinity for the 1970s (TV, music, some films). The early-to-mid 1980s have recently become another area of interest -- particularly as it relates to the onset of AIDS and the response (or lack thereof) to it.
A friend of mine was in his early 30s at this time and continues to marvel to this day abo...more
Running in Bed tells the story of a gay man living in New York City in the 70s. This was definitely a promising premise, as that was a setting in which the gay pride movement was really gaining momentum, but HIV/AIDS was also appearing. The story follows Josh, a successful young advertising exec, as he comes to accept himself as a gay man, and tries to find his Prince Charming. He becomes rather obsessed (in quite an unhealthy way, I think) with a guy named Tommy, seemingly just from seeing him...more
At first I thought this was going to be a "light" read; some fluff on a pretty young guy who falls in love with a hustle with a golden heart in NYC - which he does - but then it turned into a period piece talking about the days when the gay community was first hit by GRID, a term that went the way of the rotary phone. Still not on par with something by Hollinghurst but good for what it was. In the end, I enjoyed it.
Received from publisher via NetGalley.
Although I was interested in, and learnt lots about the rise and subsequent development of AIDs in the eighties, as a piece of fiction, I was less engaged.
I did not feel connected to the characters. They remained very much distant and uninvolved.
Great writing, great structure, but I wanted more.
Although I was interested in, and learnt lots about the rise and subsequent development of AIDs in the eighties, as a piece of fiction, I was less engaged.
I did not feel connected to the characters. They remained very much distant and uninvolved.
Great writing, great structure, but I wanted more.
Feb 26, 2013
Zane Carey
added it
On a fiction stand point, no plot. But as a memoir the knowledge and insight is just mind boggling and amazing. As a current Lgbt teen I can't even imagine such a life. Amazing
This was a fantastic book about a man who "came out" during the 70s when HIV was first discovered. He talks about his friends, their lifestyles, and the gay community.
It is an AMAZING book :)
It is an AMAZING book :)
Very different than my norm. Was pretty boring, but I finished it.
Apr 21, 2013
Ed Hartnett
marked it as to-read
Dec 21, 2012
Vishal Jadhav
marked it as to-read
Dec 14, 2012
Bradley
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Dec 04, 2012
Gerry
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Dec 03, 2012
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Parin Thakkar
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Sep 14, 2012
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Sep 14, 2012
L-D
marked it as not-yet
Sep 12, 2012
Stephen Lagos
marked it as to-read
Sep 10, 2012
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