A Measure of Madness: A Novel [Paperback]

Gordon Merrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2001

Escaping a destructive love affair in New York, Phil Renfield recovers his ability to love in the arms of English artist Johnny Marston and in the lush paradise of the island of Crete. But a storm is brewing over the blue Aegean, and his name is Manoli-Greek, beautiful, arrogant, and capable of stirring up a hurricane of shame and jealousy that leads quickly to violence.

Gordon Merrick was the author of more than 10 novels, including Perfect Freedom and the much-loved Peter and Charlie trilogy-The Lord Won't Mind, One for the Gods, and Forth Into Light. He died in Sri Lanka in 1988.

Also Available by Gordon Merrick:

The Great Urge Downward

TP 14.95, 1-55583-296-2 CUSA

Perfect Freedom

TP 14.95, 1-55583-297-0 CUSA

Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books; 1 edition (December 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555835074
• ISBN-13: 978-1555835071
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,069,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A heady whirlwind experience, January 2, 2003

By 

MR D PENTECOST (Burnley, Lancashire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Measure of Madness: A Novel (Paperback)

What a great book.I really enjoyed the way that the characters portrayed many mixed emotions as well as good helpings of sex - so naturally set in the contrasts of muddled New York and the simplistic sexual and erotic freedom of mid-late 20th century Greece and islands. I just couldn't put this book down. Anyone who reads this book should be able to identify themselves with at least one of the characters!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of his better books, January 30, 2002

By 

T. Evans "tommythekid" (Reisterstown, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Measure of Madness: A Novel (Paperback)

I've read all of Merrick's works and agree that he is the Harold Robbins of gay literature - that is, he's not going to enter the halls of the monuments of world literature, but they are fun and entertaining. This one has a bit more sex than his other works, but presents an interesting look at the life of a gay man and how he got to the point where he is. He has escaped to a Greek island only to fall in love again - he seems to have a way of doing that. If you enjoy a good story with a fair amount of sex thrown in, you will really like this one.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Measure of Lustness - is more like it., January 8, 2002

By 

"sandalus" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Measure of Madness: A Novel (Paperback)

I can't particularly say that I hate this book but neither will I say that I like it, to put it mildly. If ever, I like the characters in the book for their realism especially Manoli and Phil. Sadly, I do know a couple of Dons, Georges, Phils, and even Manolis.

So why I don't especially like this book? Well, it's quite simple, everything about the book is true. There's no are no perfect gay relationships; gay guys are promiscuous; hustlers can do fall in love; straight guy can fall in love with another guy; gay guys are always into anything that's "big"; Falling in love in a foreign country; old gay guys are into hustlers..... I can go on and on about this but would rather not. What really bothered me was the fact that Phil left Manoli when Manoli needs him the most. I think it was an easy way out for Phil. Supposedly Phil was able to mature after his run-in with Manoli, living in Crete and meeting the various colorful people there, but in the long run, what did he actually learn? Nothing. Hell, he could have met more colorful people here in New York. For somebody who's living in New York, Phil's character sure is so not New York except the "sluttiness".

I purchased five more books by this author. I am now praying that these books are not like this one.