Lovers' Legends: The Gay Greek Myths [Hardcover]

Calimach Andrew (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

First comprehensive uncensored collection of homosexual Greek myths in 2000 years. Lucian'ss Different Loves, an unabashed debate on gay vs. straight love, frames richly illustrated stories of Hercules, Orpheus, Narcissus, others. Presents positive and negative aspects of Greek male love within historical/cultural context. Carefully documented, suitable for classes in gender studies / history / religion. Notes, bibliography, glossary, map. Study guide forthcoming.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-A lavishly illustrated collection of nine myths restored from primary (and often fragmentary) sources and presented with the full view of the sexuality that pervaded Greek life. Woven between sections of the myths is a dialogue from more than 1700 years ago that is an unabashed comparison of the love of men versus the love of women. This gives rich context for the fullness of the stories that are here told with interpretations that bring the homoerotic content to light as part of the world of humans and of gods. Male love was held to be an apprenticeship for manhood, a way to learn about warriorship, culture, and proper behavior. Sex wasn't gay or straight; it just was. Young adults will have an opportunity to learn about mythology with new explications and insights. Not only of interest to the gay community, the book will appeal to all lovers of myth as it is a work of considerable scholarship suitable for use in courses on gender studies or Greek history and culture. Heavily illustrated with photographs of ancient art and elegantly printed, it provides notes, a map, bibliography, and an indexed glossary. A study guide is being prepared to support this text in educational settings.
Reed Coats, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A refreshing collection of Greek myths with their fig leaves duly, and rightly, removed. . . a sheer pleasure to read." -- Gay & Lesbian Humanist (UK)

"A very fine example of responsible popularization – accessible, but with source notes for serious readers to follow up." -- James Lawrence Peter Butrica, Dept. of Classics, The Memorial University of Newfoundland

"A wonderful work. It's the absolute foundation of the queer canon of European literature." -- James Jayo, Classics scholar, Boston

"Calimach has ‘unbowdlerized' the narratives." -- Joseph P. Goodwin, author,

"The perfect antidote to schoolyard homophobia." -- Gail McNeil, mother of boys, Halifax, Nova Scotia

"What an amazing array of fascinating tales!" -- Gert Hekma, Chairman of Gay Studies, University of Amsterdam

"What fun – the naughty bits are back. Breezy but learned collection."

— -- Lambda Book Report, January 2002

Bravo! This fascinating and astonishing book, suitable for everyone, is an excellent read. A great addition to any library. -- — Jennifer LB Leese, A STORYWEAVER'S BOOK REVIEWS, www.geocities.com/ladyjiraff/aswbr.html

Easily most impressive volume of its sort. Remarkably fresh, easygoing storytelling. One of most entertaining reads you could ask for. -- — Steven LaVigne, White Crane Journal

What a wonderful book! The language retains the power that other translations lose. Immensely valuable in a pedagogic setting. -- — Philip Stokes, Ph. D., Hon. Research Fellow, The Nottingham Trent University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Haiduk Press; 1ST edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971468605
• ISBN-13: 978-0971468603
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Courageous, Scholarly, Thoroughly Entertaining Book, August 6, 2002

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lovers' Legends: The Gay Greek Myths (Hardcover)

Hats off to Andrew Calimach! For the past century writers, poets, mythologists, historians and the public at large have either ignored the sexual overtones of Greek myths and history, or have distorted or attacked this valuable body of information to mold their own prejudices. This can be said for those who overplay the significance of the homoerotic aspect of myths as well as those who debunk it as gay delusions of grandeur. In readdressing nine important and 'well-known' stories with fresh insight and with fine scholarly technique, Calimach gives us as clear an interpretation of these foundations of civilzation as can be found. His introduction to the concept of myths is succinct and illuminating. He wisely threads his tales with a debate (Lucian's 'Different Loves') that places his reassembled fragments of myths as narrative, thus giving a sense of timelessness of reference to his subject. Scholars and psychologists and philosophers and theologians and gender studies veterans have argued their perspectives ad infinitum. Calimach has the good graces to simply piece together all the varying fragments of information about these nine myths and presents this reconstruction for us to interpret. No preaching here, just a request for open minds, for acknowledging the fact that love between males can be documented as timeless.

My only reservations with the texts is in the language of their presentation. Part of the word choices are intended to make the stories more updated in language (much like the new version of the Bible as opposed to the King James version). At times, however, he resorts to slang which can cause an 'aha!' reaction to readers searching to disprove his facts [as in Narcissus: 'what a dish he was', and 'the most gorgeous guy he had ever seen']. These rare phrases are all the more distracting because of the generally eloquent and elegant writing style of the book in general. But this is a small criticism in what is destined to become a permanent volume of all librairies. Excellent reading, a fine work of research, and a much needed resource book for writers, students, historians, and for those who are looking for an enriching and worthwhile book on the Greeks. An excellent read and a satisfying moment of edification.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Missing Gay Link of the Greek Gods and Heroes!, July 9, 2002

By 

Joseph J. Hanssen "Joe" (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lovers' Legends: The Gay Greek Myths (Hardcover)

Here are nine classic Greek Mythical tales that have been restored and retold exposing for the first time the love between men in early times. Only these are no ordinary men but the Greek Gods and heroes we thought we all knew. Though I'm not an historian or scholar with a gifted knowledge of Greek Myths or legends, I found this book to be fascinating, exciting, and informative, as well as easy to read. It's a fine collection of male love stories from the early writings of Greek Myths. This is a beautifully designed book, from it's cover to it's dust jacket. It's enhanced with black and white photos included in each chapter, displaying appropriately related classical Greek sculpture and art.

Andrew Calimach says he has carefully restored these stories from the primary sources, completing the missing myths from scattered fragments. Whatever research was required to honestly restore these Greek Myths, we are the fortunate ones for these tales are lovingly translated. There's the tale of Hercules and Hylas; a classic coming of age tale; Achilles and Patroclus, a tale of deep love between two courageous warriors, and my favorite Narcissus, a handsome youth who spurns the love of another... These are just three of the touching tales that Calimach has brought to light in this fine collection.

This is a book that the specialist, academic, or ordinary reader can enjoy. These are fascinating legends with a different focus centering on male love that will keep you reading way past the midnight hour. Hopefully, Andrew Calimach will do more research and bring us more LOVERS' LEGENDS. Truly Captivating!

Joe Hanssen

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small but Full of Flavor, September 12, 2004

By 

Wendy C. Darling (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lovers' Legends: The Gay Greek Myths (Hardcover)

This is a neat little book that presents a selection of the Greek myths, many of them familiar, only this time with formerly expurgated "gay" material put back in. The stories have been put together by a man named Andrew Calimach, who apparently dug through tons of original Greek tales to find the material which has so often been "neutered" or rewritten so it's de-emphasized.

The varying stories were then pieced together in what are some really wonderful myths -- wonderful in and of themselves and wonderfully written. The book is also illustrated throughout with original ancient artwork, so you can see the various gods, nympths, goddesses and mortals the stories revolve around. In the stories you'll see Zeus & Ganymede, Hercules & Hylas, Apollo & Hyancinthus, Narcissues, and (for you fans of Troy) Achilles & Patroclus, among others.

Here's a little excerpt from the Achilles & Patroclus story, which takes place during the Trojan War:

Noble Achilles, the fiercest of the Greek fighters, led the troops headlong into battle, like some savage beast unleashed, and his dear friend, Patroclus, fought always by his side, tempering Achilles' wildness and pride with loving sound advice...

[Then later after Patroclus has been killed on a mission]

...the Greeks broke away the broken corpse to Achilles' lodge. Black grief crushed Achilles, his eys brimmed with endless tears. He threw himself upon Patroclus' body, full of reproaches for throwing his life away. "Why so ungrateful, after all our kisses? Why so uncaring for the holy union of our thighs?" He mourned without let, forgetting sleep, forgetting food and drink, and day after day put off the funeral, unable to part with his friend.