Customer Reviews

The Story of Harold

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This is one of my all-time favorites. The narrator is an author of children's books (and according to the cover, "Terry Andrews" is the pseudonym of a well-known children's author!) who is in a series of relationships with both men and women. Unfortunately, his one true love (and hottest sex partner) is married and doesn't love him back. This isn't really a "gay" novel, but has some pretty explicit same-sex (and hetero sex) scenes. Oddly enough, it's ultimately a warm, thought-provoking, and pretty funny book.

I read, and reread this book, probably 5 times. I came to Amazon.com to find another copy since I have lost mine. It is a story of redemption and finding your way in life. The hero is a children's author, who has some kinky sexual habits (bisexual, S&M). He simultaneously becomes involved with a small child with emotional problems (and part of the text is a children's story starring Harold), and a homeless man who wants to be killed. You have to read it to understand the subtext, but it is truly a marvelous novel. I heartily recommend it, and hope Amazon can find me another copy.

It's amazing more people haven't found this book! Wry, passionate, aloof, deeply moving and disturbing at the same time. (Perhaps its explicit qualities turn some away, but for once an advertising blurb is profoundly correct: it IS "about everything important that goes on between people". Although it may be categorized as a "gay" novel, it is not narrowly focused on gayness, just as gay people are not "just gay" but have the full spectrum of human concerns. At times painfully funny, at times hauntingly poetic, and times even fierce, unafraid to show its darkest shadows as well as its piercing lights, everyone with a heart and a head should experience this novel.

[Written by a friend who is not internet savvy; submitted by me on his behalf]
Years ago, when this book first came on the market, I read it and became immediately enthralled. At the time, I was working in the publishing business. While I gushed my enthusiasm to any and everyone who listened, an acquaintence offered to match me up with the author I so clearly admired. The author's apparent real name was also shared with me, and I began reading those children's stories, which were every bit as haunting as that told of Harold's.
Then one day, I got a phone call. "Bruce? This is Harold. I hear you like to read," and I certainly did. A date to meet was proffered but I was speechless. Not clear on how to deal with suddenly being on stage in this new kind of play within a play, I failed to follow up on that offered date. My loss.
Instead I bought a case of paperback copies of "Story of Harold" and, over subsequent decades, gave all but one alway. It's now quite dog-eared.
I still wonder what I'd do if he ever called again.

Yes, I've recommended this to friends. It is about love and is not limited to any kind of love. It is wonderful, unforgettable, one of the best, most touching books I've ever read. Original edition had illustrations by Edward Gorey. The book was openly published under the pseudonym of "Terry Andrews," said on the book's jacket to be a well-known children's book author. Well, the children's book writing in this novel is so close to that of George Selden, author of the best-selling The Cricket In Times Square and other books, that I believe he wrote it. I have corresponded with some authors who agreed, but one told me that "George Selden" is actually a pseudonym and that "Terry Andrews"is the real name of the author. As far as I know, he published no other books, and I believe he is no longer alive.

I read this book when I was first coming out in the early 80's. Truly revelatory, incredibly well-written, deep and dark, and redemptive in the end. One of my all-time favorite books, I've worn out two copies by reading them so much, and have given them away to others to read. Wish I could find another. Buy it if you can find it.