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Pizza face
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 2, 2013
Read this one several years ago, and recall enjoying the dark humour.
Upon re-reading I didn't care for it very much. The three star rating is probably an average of the two readings.
Found it more sad than funny, this time around.
Isolation Update April 2020: So I read this again, forgetting I’d already reread it. Since revived ugliness in the US has became more completely obvious, one tends to view these books now through a backwards-gazing prism. This one is rife with implicit racism — for example the high school had two cafeterias, one for whites, one for blacks.
This book may (as the blurb claims) to have made John Waters laugh out loud, but there is a lot of unexplored sadness here as well.
It was an unusual “gay book” when in came out, in 1991, because it was seen as humorous and there is no mention of AIDS — not even a hint.
Upon re-reading I didn't care for it very much. The three star rating is probably an average of the two readings.
Found it more sad than funny, this time around.
Isolation Update April 2020: So I read this again, forgetting I’d already reread it. Since revived ugliness in the US has became more completely obvious, one tends to view these books now through a backwards-gazing prism. This one is rife with implicit racism — for example the high school had two cafeterias, one for whites, one for blacks.
This book may (as the blurb claims) to have made John Waters laugh out loud, but there is a lot of unexplored sadness here as well.
It was an unusual “gay book” when in came out, in 1991, because it was seen as humorous and there is no mention of AIDS — not even a hint.
August 15, 2007
I read this when it came out, which was probably a little earlier than the date I've checked, 1992. What sold me on it, besides the fact that I share the main character's sexual orientation, was the blurb by Florence King (one of the best humorists I've ever read.)
This novel is somewhat similar to Gore Vidal's THE CITY AND THE PILLAR. There seems to me to be a direct tribute to that novel contained in this one. Briefly, this novel is about a young gay man campaigning for Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election. He is not very happy.
I don't think I've ever seen another book by Ken Siman. [I stand corrected: In 1995, he wrote a nonfiction work called THE BEAUTY TRIP which looks like a pretty good analysis of the obsession with beauty.]
This novel is somewhat similar to Gore Vidal's THE CITY AND THE PILLAR. There seems to me to be a direct tribute to that novel contained in this one. Briefly, this novel is about a young gay man campaigning for Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election. He is not very happy.
I don't think I've ever seen another book by Ken Siman. [I stand corrected: In 1995, he wrote a nonfiction work called THE BEAUTY TRIP which looks like a pretty good analysis of the obsession with beauty.]
October 20, 2013
I read this many rears ago and recently grabbed a used copy to re-read at the beach. It is a snarky, funny book about being the odd man out who just never realized they are "that guy."
I shared this book with a dear friend who read it and we discussed long into the night. She and I are both very "A-type" personalities. You would not think we would find much to empathize with in the story. Yet the various situations were the catalyst were many funny stories and the occasion deep self insight.
If you are one of my friends it is likely you have the sensibilities and humor to enjoy this
I shared this book with a dear friend who read it and we discussed long into the night. She and I are both very "A-type" personalities. You would not think we would find much to empathize with in the story. Yet the various situations were the catalyst were many funny stories and the occasion deep self insight.
If you are one of my friends it is likely you have the sensibilities and humor to enjoy this
September 14, 2017
An anti-hero for ugly gay kids of the late 1970s/early 1980s. Often verges on dismal or pathetic or just too painful, but Siman never quite goes past that verge. Andy's persistence despite such lousy circumstances is what gives the story its strange appeal. He just keeps living, finding reasons to do so along the way.
December 24, 2025
Reading Project: This was the seventh stop in a series of writers who I haven't read before!
General Review: "Pizza Face" first appeared on my radar after reading Ethan Mordden's appraisal of contemporary queer literature in his introduction to the anthology "Waves." Mordden recalls the novel as a dark comedy. Despite some of the zanier features in Siman's novel, I'm not convinced that this book was intended to be remembered as a comedy. Andy's constant struggle for affection and approval drove so deeply into disturbing territory, I think a more apt comparison would be Hazel Motes from O'Connor's Wise Blood. This is not, necessarily, a bad thing. But it isn't a fun thing either.
I find myself wondering if Siman's use of the grotesque is meant as a counterpoint to the lovable queers of Maupin's Tales from the City or perhaps the chic detachment of Ellis's Less than Zero. I had even considered the possibility that Siman's novel was meant as a prose send-up to Eric Shanower's comic story of the same name, which appeared in Gay Comix 17. But (surprise, surprise!) Siman's novel came out almost two years prior to Shanower's comic.
The most likely answer as to where the idea for this novel came from seems to be suggested by Siman's only other book, a nonfiction text in the same vein as Naomi Wolf's The Beauty Myth. As a writer, Siman is concerned with society's obsession with beauty and how those deemed "ugly" are not perceived as "other;" they simply aren't perceived at all.
His interest in physical attractiveness strikes me as funny. When I flip to the author pic on the back cover of my copy, I see a young, coolly beautiful man. I wonder if this guy ever felt ugly, or pushed aside by the physically picky visual aesthetics of 20th century gay male culture. I wonder if, in writing this novel, Siman lets the ugly him out, the deranged hobgoblin deep in everyone's mind that convinces all that they are not complete, that they are not worthy of human touch.
Further Reading (?): Probably not. I don't have much use for Siman's non-fiction text at this time. I may revisit this novel someday . . . a long time from now.
General Review: "Pizza Face" first appeared on my radar after reading Ethan Mordden's appraisal of contemporary queer literature in his introduction to the anthology "Waves." Mordden recalls the novel as a dark comedy. Despite some of the zanier features in Siman's novel, I'm not convinced that this book was intended to be remembered as a comedy. Andy's constant struggle for affection and approval drove so deeply into disturbing territory, I think a more apt comparison would be Hazel Motes from O'Connor's Wise Blood. This is not, necessarily, a bad thing. But it isn't a fun thing either.
I find myself wondering if Siman's use of the grotesque is meant as a counterpoint to the lovable queers of Maupin's Tales from the City or perhaps the chic detachment of Ellis's Less than Zero. I had even considered the possibility that Siman's novel was meant as a prose send-up to Eric Shanower's comic story of the same name, which appeared in Gay Comix 17. But (surprise, surprise!) Siman's novel came out almost two years prior to Shanower's comic.
The most likely answer as to where the idea for this novel came from seems to be suggested by Siman's only other book, a nonfiction text in the same vein as Naomi Wolf's The Beauty Myth. As a writer, Siman is concerned with society's obsession with beauty and how those deemed "ugly" are not perceived as "other;" they simply aren't perceived at all.
His interest in physical attractiveness strikes me as funny. When I flip to the author pic on the back cover of my copy, I see a young, coolly beautiful man. I wonder if this guy ever felt ugly, or pushed aside by the physically picky visual aesthetics of 20th century gay male culture. I wonder if, in writing this novel, Siman lets the ugly him out, the deranged hobgoblin deep in everyone's mind that convinces all that they are not complete, that they are not worthy of human touch.
Further Reading (?): Probably not. I don't have much use for Siman's non-fiction text at this time. I may revisit this novel someday . . . a long time from now.
July 31, 2011
This book was written in 1991 and seems dated. The main character is a gay teen with bad acne who feels -- wait for it -- like no one in the world understands him. We follow him through his borderline obsessive interest in political memorabilia, to his obsessive interest in a guy at school. They end up rooming together in college which is exquisite agony for our hero, who is repeatedly rejected by him. There is no fairy tale ending in the book, although looking at the jacket author photo, I'm thinking things probably worked out alright for him in real life.
September 24, 2018
I can't help but ask: what was the point of this novel?
I've been thinking and thinking, but I have yet to figure out what this creation is supposed to give to others.
So far: gay white cis culture is vapid. ありがとう、本当にじゃない。The things I have (not) learned.
I've been thinking and thinking, but I have yet to figure out what this creation is supposed to give to others.
So far: gay white cis culture is vapid. ありがとう、本当にじゃない。The things I have (not) learned.
April 10, 2015
Okay but not as good as touted by Publisher’s Weekly.
May 30, 2024
This book *kept me* from reading. I found other things to do instead, as it was almost pure narrative, even stream of consciousness. It really flowed, but I wondered where it was going... I guess I bought it at a used bookstore due to the Jimmy Carter reference?
It's a classic example of writing what you know, yet it reminds me of my 10th grade English teacher questioning my short story..."Where's the conflict? The climax? What's the point?" But it did come together in the last sixth of the book. The main character Andy was growing up and coming into his own. The work may have been revealing and fresh for 1991?
P. 9 "The ladies scooped up the main course with their serving hands covered by Baggies. A typical lunch was 'hamburg [sic] gravy' (easy to scoop with the hand),..."
Even though I didn't grow up with cafeterias, this imagery feels very familiar.
P. 55 referenced an unknown term, "You can't miss him - he's the six-footer with a big old water head."
According to the Hydrocephalus Association, '“water heads” was a common derogatory term prior to the mid-60's for people suffering from untreated hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition where fluid accumulates in the brain."
Untreated!?!
Per the Mayo Clinic, "Without treatment, hydrocephalus leads to complications. Complications may include learning disabilities or developmental and physical disabilities. Complications of this condition also can result in death. When hydrocephalus is mild and it's treated, there may be few, if any, serious complications."
P. 95 "One guy he worked with and his friend gobbed into the batter every now and then..."
Per the Urban Dictionary, "To secrete or produce saliva. Usually over someone else whilst talking."
The ending leaves one wondering, as endings often do. After reading the last sentence, I thought, "And the curtain closes." Until the next act!
It's a classic example of writing what you know, yet it reminds me of my 10th grade English teacher questioning my short story..."Where's the conflict? The climax? What's the point?" But it did come together in the last sixth of the book. The main character Andy was growing up and coming into his own. The work may have been revealing and fresh for 1991?
P. 9 "The ladies scooped up the main course with their serving hands covered by Baggies. A typical lunch was 'hamburg [sic] gravy' (easy to scoop with the hand),..."
Even though I didn't grow up with cafeterias, this imagery feels very familiar.
P. 55 referenced an unknown term, "You can't miss him - he's the six-footer with a big old water head."
According to the Hydrocephalus Association, '“water heads” was a common derogatory term prior to the mid-60's for people suffering from untreated hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition where fluid accumulates in the brain."
Untreated!?!
Per the Mayo Clinic, "Without treatment, hydrocephalus leads to complications. Complications may include learning disabilities or developmental and physical disabilities. Complications of this condition also can result in death. When hydrocephalus is mild and it's treated, there may be few, if any, serious complications."
P. 95 "One guy he worked with and his friend gobbed into the batter every now and then..."
Per the Urban Dictionary, "To secrete or produce saliva. Usually over someone else whilst talking."
The ending leaves one wondering, as endings often do. After reading the last sentence, I thought, "And the curtain closes." Until the next act!
March 8, 2025
Da fuck
May 23, 2007
So funny. So heartbreaking. In the tradition of great Southern writers who capture the unique sensibilities and diction of the South. Should be shelved right alongside A Confederacy of Dunces. The humor is deadpan and tends to the absurd at times so if that isn't your vibe, you may be flummoxed by this novel. Yes, it's very much of its time and that is its great charm. Reminds me of the MST3K saying: The Right People Will Get It.
June 16, 2011
Hilariously awkward
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews