A Straight Line By J.D. Wade and Chase Connor Chase Connor Books, Lion Fish Press, 2020 Five stars
“But, either way, they chose to dance.”
A wonderful book, which particularly moved me because, remarkably enough, the context of Russell’s story is the story of my whole generation, writ small. Wade and Connor have crafted a book that honors the “elder gays,” specifically in the person of Harry and Vic, a gay couple in their late sixties, uncles to Russell, the narrator and centerpiece of the book.
Harry and Vic are retiring, and have sold “ A Straight Line,” the gay bar they opened in this rural Iowa town forty years earlier. The party they throw for their community of friends and supporters all takes place in the course of a single day, as seen through Russell’s eyes.
Russell, who has known his gay uncles all his life, has chosen to live with them for a while. As the preparations for the party heat up, and the guests begin to arrive, Russell begins to learn the full story of Harry and Vic’s experience, as survivors of homophobia who become beloved pillars of their community. Their best friend, Morty, is best known as Bang Bang, a powerhouse drag performer who has his own story to tell.
It is a tenderly woven story, bringing out the darker truths of the past for gay and lesbian folks in a hostile environment. Its counterpoint is Russell’s own story, about love and loss in a world where being gay is not an issue, but loneliness still is.
In the end, Russell’s story is the authors’ way of bringing their readers into history, to remind them of their roots. It is great see my generation honored this way, and to see how we might yet matter in the lives of our children’s generation of LGBTQ+ people.
By J.D. Wade and Chase Connor
Chase Connor Books, Lion Fish Press, 2020
Five stars
“But, either way, they chose to dance.”
A wonderful book, which particularly moved me because, remarkably enough, the context of Russell’s story is the story of my whole generation, writ small. Wade and Connor have crafted a book that honors the “elder gays,” specifically in the person of Harry and Vic, a gay couple in their late sixties, uncles to Russell, the narrator and centerpiece of the book.
Harry and Vic are retiring, and have sold “ A Straight Line,” the gay bar they opened in this rural Iowa town forty years earlier. The party they throw for their community of friends and supporters all takes place in the course of a single day, as seen through Russell’s eyes.
Russell, who has known his gay uncles all his life, has chosen to live with them for a while. As the preparations for the party heat up, and the guests begin to arrive, Russell begins to learn the full story of Harry and Vic’s experience, as survivors of homophobia who become beloved pillars of their community. Their best friend, Morty, is best known as Bang Bang, a powerhouse drag performer who has his own story to tell.
It is a tenderly woven story, bringing out the darker truths of the past for gay and lesbian folks in a hostile environment. Its counterpoint is Russell’s own story, about love and loss in a world where being gay is not an issue, but loneliness still is.
In the end, Russell’s story is the authors’ way of bringing their readers into history, to remind them of their roots. It is great see my generation honored this way, and to see how we might yet matter in the lives of our children’s generation of LGBTQ+ people.