Some Men Are Lookers [Hardcover]

Ethan Mordden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

An author revisits some of the most beloved characters from his novel Buddies and introduces some memorable new ones, providing once again a view of gay culture that is both idealistic and realistic."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ethan Mordden's "Buddies" trilogy--I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore, Buddies, Everyone Loves You--has, in less then a decade, gained classic status in gay literature. Now Mordden treats us to a fourth and final volume, Some Men are Lookers. Mordden's tightly-knit band of New York gay men survived disco, Fire Island, and AIDS; now they are left to make their way into the next century by forging new relationships, bonds of friendship, and love. Mordden's writing is as pithy and funny as ever, but he never avoids the hard stories or feelings and all 11 stories resonate with truth, emotion, and a clear-eyed look at what it means to be an urban, gay man today.

From Library Journal

In his sixth work of fiction (following How Long Has This Been Going On?, Villard, 1995), Mordden summons back his New York coterie and brings us up to speed on their lives. The plot revolves around various definitions of the term lookers but focuses on the ideal of physical, sensual beauty. In Mordden's hands, such stories can be quite hilarious and are always dripping with splendid, bitter irony. Underneath the surface, we see tensions within the family made up of Dennis Savage; his street-wise lover, Virgil (Kiwi); narrator Bud; and his "ward," the disarmingly strange Cosgrove. Trust, the emotional ties that bind, the fragile state of mind when a family member betrays a friendship and then wants back in, and the room given or not given to grow?these are some of the issues Mordden explores so successfully. Mordden is highly skilled at creating memorable characters, and ardent admirers of his work will see no reason to change their mind here. Recommended for both general and gay fiction collections.?Roger W. Durbin, Univ. of Akron Libs., Ohio
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 354 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031215660X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312156602
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,596,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gay male Gotterdammerung, June 4, 2001

By 

Todd E. Keeler (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Some Men Are Lookers: A Continuation of the "Buddies" Cycle (Paperback)

This book, the final of the four-volume Buddies series, is by far the best in that series. It is gripping; when I finished the book, I was emotionally drained and somewhat in shock -- the story ended and I was not exactly certain what had just happened to me, somewhat akin to viewing an accident or something else traumatic. Having read the other three volumes in short succession, I raced through the book, shocked at points, dismayed by some characters' actions, and developed a whole new appreciation and affection for Cosgrove (helped by the fact that he and I are about the same age). As I read the book, I hoped it would never end, as I wanted to continue to live the lives of these characters, but when I reached the unbelievably emotional and heavy end of the book, I realized one key element to all of Mordden's writing in this series: this series is a sort of gay male "Ring" cycle. This book, the final one, entails the destruction of the entire world that was so carefully constructed throughout the first three books: like Ragnarok, it brings about the end of the old and the creation of a new world from its ashes. I wished to see what came of these characters, to see if Little Kiwi/Virgil/J. would be redeemed, and how Cosgrove and Bud fared in this brave new world of the late 1980s: but then I realized, slowly, that it could not be seen as it was a whole different line of thought and not capable of being part of this series. Heartbroken by this, but exhilarated at the same time, I commend this series, the author who wrote it, and highly recommend the series as a "must read" for all who appreciate contemporary gay fiction. Absolutely astounding and by far the best of the series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars some readers are family, May 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Some Men Are Lookers: A Continuation of the "Buddies" Cycle (Paperback)

morddens first three books were terrific, deeply moving and honestly human companions through the darkest years of the aids crisis. the characters are so real that the reader becomes part of that unusual extended family of choice. the unique charm and wit of the author is undeniable on every page and between the lines. the fourth, long awaited volume fits completely in the readers expectations after the first three books. don't believe a word of the kirkus-jerk's review. this is family, for god's sake! and it enlightens the shadowed rainbow-colors of the gay community during the last years, without getting whiny or too depressed over all the grief. as an aids-widower i'm deeply grateful for these books and i'm glad mordden is still around to write many more. ethan, keep up the good work!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comedic Drama for our favourite gay family, February 23, 2006

By 

Ventura Angelo (Brescia, Lombardia Italy) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Some Men Are Lookers: A Continuation of the "Buddies" Cycle (Paperback)

The "Buddies" series of Ethan Mordden is composed by five delicious books narrating with humour, zany wit and profound sensibility the life of some gay friend in Manhattan:Bud, the narrator , his closest friend Dennis Savage, Dennis' lover Little Kiwi (aka Virgil Brown aka J.), the "elf-child" trickster Cosgrove and the gentle hunk Carlo, and their friends, parents and acquaintances."Some men are Lookers" shows the growing independence of Little Kiwi,little no more, whilst Cosgrove is in full bloom and gives his best (or his worst) in "What a difference Miss Faye Made", when he invites a shameless drag-queen at a dinner for Peter Keene, prospective Dennis Savage's editor. Another great story is "Exorcis", a funny/tragic story, Little Kiwi/Virgil and Cosgrove offer to their friends the vision of a movie "The lost boys", wayward boys turning into vampires. Among the one-liners, arrives the last call of an old Dennis Savage's acquaintance,but Dennis wouldn't listen. He will learn a sour lesson by his ever more independent Virgil,who will become (to their friends dismay) gradually ever more "mature" and estranged.
I have grown fond of these characters, of their disputes, growing pains and various adventures, punctuated by a sparkling dialogue and, at times, poignant sentimental moments. Something of a family, as Bud calls it. It's an exquisite read for gays and non-homophobic straights alike, because this little microcosm's tales tell us something about tolerance, the meaning of love, the endurance against discrimination and hatred, that has universal value. I counsel you all to read them! They're really funny and inspiring.But the spooky, the tragic and the hysterically funny intertwine magnificently in these stories, worthy of Saki, O'Henry and Oscar Wilde.