Customer Reviews

Latin Lovers: True Stories of Latin Men in Love

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Here is a noble attempt at inscribing a Latino presence within the trendy "love" anthologies making a belated (but welcomed) splash in the gay writing market, yet this collection offered a dangerous view of the Latino male as object (not subject) of desire. Still it is important in that it fuels the dialogue about how the gay Latino serves as agent for the non-Latino author's fantasies. This is a must for any queer studies curriculum that analyzes how race and gender connect, and how the Latino body continues to be exoticized even by marginalized literature. An interesting read.

Latin Lovers: True Stories of Latin Men in Love is quite a deceptive title. What at first glance appears to be a collection of Latino penned stories about their love lives and interests is in fact more of a collection of essays underscoring the pervasive fetishization of men of color (here, Latinos) in the mainstream gay community. The wonderful pieces by Arenas,Campo, Castro, and Manrique, for example, are exceptions to the rule. But I found many other pieces down-right offensive--I thought I was reading the Spartucus Guide! I would recommend Jaime Cortez's anthology Virgins, Guerrillas, and Locas: Gay Latinos Writing About Love over this uneven, unsettling collection.

The best thing about the stories contained in LATIN LOVERS is the eclectic and diverse range of author backgrounds and the types of stories told. Editor Erasmo Guerra has compiled together burlesque comedies, poignant memoirs, erotic dramas and bittersweet love stories. Two highlights are Jesse Dorris' "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" and the stark, sardonic, honesty of "Hotel Hombre" by Blaine Hopkins. Read this book!