Selfish and Perverse [Hardcover]

Bob Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 24, 2007

Nelson Kunker is trapped in his job as the script supervisor on Aftertaste, the low-rated late-night sketch television show. His life in Los Angeles has come to a halt because he's unable to finish the novel he's writing, doesn't have a boyfriend, and, at the pivotal age of thirty-four, has reached the juncture where he has to decide whether he's really talented or just gay. One day he meets Roy Briggs, a part-time salmon fisherman/full-time archaeology student who's visiting from Alaska. When Nelson attempts to make small talk with the handsome Roy, he references an obscure but haunting story about bowhead whales that startles the science nerd in both men into suspecting that they might be soulmates. Unfortunately, Nelson discovers his soul is a bit of a slut when he also meets the guest host of that week's show, the surprisingly bookish movie star Dylan Fabizak, freshly paroled after a drug bust. When the three end up at Roy's home in Alaska, hilarity, love, and debauchery ensue. Wooed by both Roy and Dylan, Nelson comes to strongly identify with the salmon they are fishing for — another insanely driven species that will overcome every hurdle in its search for love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Standup comedian and television writer Smith, who published the Lambda Award–winning memoir Openly Bob in 1997, throws his hat into the gay fiction ring with this absorbing, funny and smoldering romantic comedy. Nelson Kunker, a miserably single, mid-30s unproductive novelist and Hollywood script coordinator for late night TV's Aftertaste, is burning out: endless cat-fighting at work, a boss from hell and the nagging notion that he's either really talented or just gay. Safeguarded by best friend Wendy (a gigantic lesbian), Nelson's love life finally gets a boost after a chance meeting with burly Alaskan salmon fisherman–cum–student archeologist Roy Briggs, cousin to Aftertaste's star performer Joe Benedetti. The two are immediately smitten, but Nelson gets fired for smoking marijuana with sexually ambiguous guest star Dylan Fabizak, on parole and postrehab after a drug arrest. Cut to Nelson, Roy and Dylan at Roy's home in Coffee Point, Alaska, with all the sex, danger, salmon fishing lore and sarcastic dialogue one reader could want, and an appearance from mother-hen Wendy to sort it all out. Pithy zingers (and a fair share of apparently intentional groaners), a chatty gang of likable characters, a simple yet sexy plot line and camera-ready prose combine with panache in this immensely entertaining story. (Sept.)
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From Booklist

Handsome, somewhat nerdy Nelson Kunker, Milwaukee's gift to L.A., has been in his ostensible stepping-stone job (script coordinator on a late-night sketch-comedy TV show with poor to mediocre ratings) for three years (in L.A., that's too long) and hasn't written a word more of his novel when he meets Roy, visiting scion of an Alaskan fishing family. Before you can say "long-distance relationship," Nelson, along with a devious movie star who needs to clean and sober up, is salmon fishing with Roy and discovering the depths of this lonely, "inquisitive, imaginative boy who'd used the tundra as his playground." Whew! Former MADtv scripter Smith charms with a true-love tale while amusing with sly insider's digs at the Hollywood machine, including truthy translations of code phrases; for instance, There's been a change in plans equals Here comes a lie, or a broken promise. Scott, Whitney

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (August 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786720409
• ISBN-13: 978-0786720408
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.3 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,555,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious Yet Tender Look at Gay Love and Lust in Alaska September 11, 2007

By Rachel Kramer Bussel VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Selfish and Perverse is a captivating, hilarious, very gay and very unique book. Smith knows his quirky characters and his settings, Los Angeles and Alaska, inside and out, and manages to make Nelson Kunker endearing, even if he's not the most exciting character in the fabulous first novel. That mantle is reserved for his two love interests, the hard-to-read, smart and cynical yet romantic Alaskan fisherman Roy and the flashy, annoying, but hot movie star Dylan. Staring out with the lowly life of a writer's assistant on a show in Hollywood, with a pit stop sinking into the La Brea Tar Pits, then moving on to remote Alaska, Smith captures each milieu and its inhabitants.

This is also a brilliant book for anyone who's ever written, tried to write, or thought about writing a novel. Nelson's ongoing attempts to write, which we mostly hear about from him, and his agony over not having written, make for great fodder in Smith's hands. Nelson seems young at times, as he waits for the approval of those around him, and while he'll occasionally throw out a zinger or show his anger, for the most part he's cautious, taking his cues from those around him. He has big dreams of writing but is crushed when his boyfriend Roy doesn't ask to read his novel.

It's also the kind of book that, in the midst of joking around, will bust out with a truthful or heartfelt statement that makes you stop to reread it and fully absorb it. There's a tenderness to Smith's sex scenes, as he describes Nelson luxuriating in each vein of Roy's arms, that's sweet and sexy at the same time. Nelson seems like an average, insecure guy, and in some ways, he is--he lacks the flamboyancy of many of the other characters, and yet its his very fears and uncertainties, his mistakes and meanderings, that make him someone it's a pleasure to spend time getting to know. Smith doesn't make anyone here a tragic figure but lets us know that everyone, in their own way, is looking for wholeness, in love and in their careers.

It's to Smith's credit that he made this reader root for Nelson and Roy, but want Dylan to stick around if only to get in their way and be an annoying, showy, needy guy. He's a cheapskate movie star sex addict who needs constant approval and attention, yet I almost felt sorry for him for missing out on the real pleasures of life due to his shallowness. Even the more minor characters, like Roy's mom, Dee, and Nelson's bitchy/funny dyke friend Wendy, are vividly rendered. The unusual setting of a fishing town in Alaska makes for vivid imagery and all sorts of interesting details about things like salmon and nagoonberries. Smith plays up te drastic differences between Nelson's Alaskan life and LA life, the beauty and newness of one and the ludicrousness of the other.I got caught up in this novel and couldn't put it down, and I certainly hope there's more where that came from from Smith.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Move over Jane Austen... November 4, 2007

By G. Phillipson

Format:Hardcover

This is a truly delightful book. Living outside the US, I was not familiar with this author's background in TV comedy. But I have to say that I have not read such a truly witty, funny novel since Christian McLaughlin's "Glamourpuss". The book sparkles with wit. And yet it is not a superficial novel. It grapples with growing up (which we can still be doing in our 30s!), searching for direction, and - of course - love. The characterisation of two of the main 'actors' in the novel - the narrator (Nelson) and the actor Dylan - is rich and complex. One of them (Nelson) slowly evolves before our eyes. The other (Dylan) is slowly *revealed*. In fact, he reminds me very much of a Frank Churchill (from 'Emma') for the 21st century - a complex and incredibly egotistical almost-villain whose depth and schemes are slowly revealed, and yet whom you can't help liking enormously. It may seem odd to compare the author of a 21st century 'gay' novel to Jane Austen, but there are a lot of similarities. Both sparkle with wit, both have very clever dialogue, both like revealing more and more complex layers to what appeared at first to be simple characters, and both have a lot to say about love. Of course, Mr Smith's book is very sexy as well (Jane Austen - not so much). It's a rare treat to find good comedy successfully combined with sexiness. Again, I'm reminded of Christian McLauglin's books.

My main criticism of the novel is that the third corner of the triangle - Roy the manly fisherman/archaeologist - is not as well drawn. Compared to the other two, his character is fairly static and doesn't have the same depth. That's disappointing. Maybe it's not so surprising, though, when you consider that the author is a writer who has also done TV acting :)

If you find (like me) that you've written two pages refuting Mr Smith's theory about how the eagles could have just dropped the ring in Mount Doom and saved everyone a lot of trouble, then you'll realise that there's a lot for geeks in this book! The author has a love of books and good writing that I hope will encourage readers to try some of the works that he mentions. The standout comic moment (for me), without any spoilers, was Nelson's sudden conversion to belief in the literal reality of Shakespearean soliloquies. Very very funny! But don't be put off by the idea that this is a wanky kind of literary novel. Not at all - the literary references are not opaque or off-putting

Overall, this is a very well written novel and I look forward very eagerly to anything further from this author.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Reading! September 29, 2007

By Gary Kahn

Format:Hardcover

I always loved Bob Smith's comedy, and I loved his prior books as well. When the new one, 'Selfish and Perverse' arrived, I greedily devoured it in the course of a long weekend. As usual, Bob's insights are always clever and often hilarious. I also very much enjoy his use of language, and his witty turn of a phrase often had me laughing out loud! The book also has enough that's campy/trashy to keep you tittilated, so it would work as a beach-read as well. It's nice to find a story with gay charaters that doesn't take place exclusively in a big city. Kudos to you, Mr Smith!