AmosL
08-15-2006, 04:17 PM
ARSENAL PULP--OUR CANADIAN NEIGHBOR
Amos Lassen
Vancouver, Canada is the home of Arsenal Pulp Press but do not let the word "pulp" mislead you. They publish some really exciting gay and lesbian titles. I just received their new catalog and there some dynamite titles in it. With the catalog came two books that I am quite anxious to tell you about. The Song of the Loon by Richard Armory can be called the book that started the field of gay literature. Originally published in 1966, it was the precursor of the gay erotic novel that we know today. A gay frontier romance it gives us the story of Ephraim MacIver who embarks on a trek across America. He is lusty and gutsy and I would venture to say our first gay literary hero. During his travels he comes into contact with men like him and they share their stories, their mindsets, and their sexy escapades. It is a story that fantasies are built on--those great sexual uninhibited adventures we all have dreamed of. Some may feel it is a bit dated but it is proof that gays have been contributing to the world of literature for many years. Song of the Loon has spawned two sequels, a movie, porn films, and even a parody of itself. It was, for a period, the most widely read novel of its time. Armory's characterizations of his men defy the stereotypical notions of gay men and bring masculinity to a new level. His men are romantic and manly, strong and bold. It is a beautiful book that I am sure has been forgotten by many. Arsenal Pulp Press gives us the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the book and with the characters that helped bring about a change at how we looked at ourselves as well as how others looked at us. Reissued with n introduction by Michael Bronski, a modern author on gay topics the book takes on a new significance and it is almost a mandatory addition to the library of any connoisseur of gay fiction. Like that ditty from "Hello Dolly" we can say to the book, "It's good to have you home where you belong." This is one not to be missed.
Completely different in nature is a new release from Arsenal Pulp, Manbug by George K. Ilsley. Written in dream sequences, it gives us the story of Sebastian and Tom. Sebastian is an entomologist who suffers from a disease known as Asperger's Syndrome. Tom is a bisexual who suffers from dyslexia. How these two men come together and find friendship and ultimately love is the core of the book. Here is a humorous, almost madcap, look at the way we avoid those things we want, because of fear. Somewhat postmodern in scope and style, we laugh our way through the escapades of out heroes, hoping all the while that they will get together--which of course they do. But this road to their happiness is plagued with potholes and rocks as well as mistakes and missed chances. Sometimes the book seems to be a bit depraved. Just when you think all is lost and wonder why you are reading, Ilsley hits you with a bit of humor and ropes you back into the plot. It s an original take on that old subject of "boy meets boy." I absolutely loved this book. I loved it even more when I finished and thought about what I had read. I found myself laughing as I contemplated the book and picked it up and reread it. Manbug is great fun and a rewarding learning experience as well.
Amos Lassen
Vancouver, Canada is the home of Arsenal Pulp Press but do not let the word "pulp" mislead you. They publish some really exciting gay and lesbian titles. I just received their new catalog and there some dynamite titles in it. With the catalog came two books that I am quite anxious to tell you about. The Song of the Loon by Richard Armory can be called the book that started the field of gay literature. Originally published in 1966, it was the precursor of the gay erotic novel that we know today. A gay frontier romance it gives us the story of Ephraim MacIver who embarks on a trek across America. He is lusty and gutsy and I would venture to say our first gay literary hero. During his travels he comes into contact with men like him and they share their stories, their mindsets, and their sexy escapades. It is a story that fantasies are built on--those great sexual uninhibited adventures we all have dreamed of. Some may feel it is a bit dated but it is proof that gays have been contributing to the world of literature for many years. Song of the Loon has spawned two sequels, a movie, porn films, and even a parody of itself. It was, for a period, the most widely read novel of its time. Armory's characterizations of his men defy the stereotypical notions of gay men and bring masculinity to a new level. His men are romantic and manly, strong and bold. It is a beautiful book that I am sure has been forgotten by many. Arsenal Pulp Press gives us the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the book and with the characters that helped bring about a change at how we looked at ourselves as well as how others looked at us. Reissued with n introduction by Michael Bronski, a modern author on gay topics the book takes on a new significance and it is almost a mandatory addition to the library of any connoisseur of gay fiction. Like that ditty from "Hello Dolly" we can say to the book, "It's good to have you home where you belong." This is one not to be missed.
Completely different in nature is a new release from Arsenal Pulp, Manbug by George K. Ilsley. Written in dream sequences, it gives us the story of Sebastian and Tom. Sebastian is an entomologist who suffers from a disease known as Asperger's Syndrome. Tom is a bisexual who suffers from dyslexia. How these two men come together and find friendship and ultimately love is the core of the book. Here is a humorous, almost madcap, look at the way we avoid those things we want, because of fear. Somewhat postmodern in scope and style, we laugh our way through the escapades of out heroes, hoping all the while that they will get together--which of course they do. But this road to their happiness is plagued with potholes and rocks as well as mistakes and missed chances. Sometimes the book seems to be a bit depraved. Just when you think all is lost and wonder why you are reading, Ilsley hits you with a bit of humor and ropes you back into the plot. It s an original take on that old subject of "boy meets boy." I absolutely loved this book. I loved it even more when I finished and thought about what I had read. I found myself laughing as I contemplated the book and picked it up and reread it. Manbug is great fun and a rewarding learning experience as well.