Gossip Paperback – March 1, 1998

Of Bram's novels, my most recent read before "Gossip" was "The Notorious Dr. August," which rated four stars. I've read a couple of Bram's other works, which also fall into the four-star galaxy, i.e., definitely worth a read, with the plan to continue pursuing that author. "Gossip" falls into this same category. I liked most of the characters, i.e., not necessarily who they were, but how they were drawn - Ralph (the narrator and protagonist), Peter, Nick, Nancy. I left out Bill O'Connor, the gay, right-wing Republican, as one of the major players, because he seemed more like a plot definer than a real person.

Gay-oriented novels taking place in the age of AIDS can become too predictable, but this one didn't suffer that drawback. Peter's AIDS was a factor, but helped throw light on his relationships without overwhelming the action or plot. Nick, Peter's partner, turns out to be a quite different person from what one expects, but I won't go further into that plot spoiler. I did think Ralph was a bit naïve thinking the authorities wouldn't know his whereabouts on the night of the murder, but otherwise he was okay. Well, just okay, but not anything out of the ordinary. In fact, he seemed a bit blah, although toward the end he came up with some insightful thoughts that made him seem less of a weakling.

The plot seemed to be getting a bit humdrum, with the inevitable murder investigation, till some unexpected actions occurred, which put "Gossip" back on track. Moral dilemmas are raised, outrageous conduct unmasked, and the thought that nothing-is-as-it-seems revealed. So the book definitely has more going for it than a gay romance between a liberal and a conservative.

This book was written more than 20 years ago, and it is especially relevant in the current political climate, especially with Hillary Clinton within reach of the highest office in the nation. I usually don't like "trick" endings or "surprises," but Bram is a good author and I was actually surprised how it ended. I was SO SURE a couple of times, but he wrote it like a potboiler. Good show, and a great summer pre-election read.

Thoroughly enjoyed Father of Frankenstein, but found this book difficult and unpleasant. Protagonist's voice was grating and clubby, assumming I was sympathetic and knowing of all his stereotypical positions. Treatment of politics was heavy handed and unsubtle. Didn't feel like an attempt to reach anyone other than people who already "think like him."

I bought this book because I had read ‘Hold Tight’ by the same author. I found that book completely engrossing and thought that maybe lightening may strike in the same place twice. It did – and it didn’t.

This particular novel has no connection with the plot of ‘Hold Tight’. They could almost be written by two different people – both excellent writers but with no connection to one another. It was published in 1997 but it may as well have been yesterday. The issues seem perennial and the same people are still parading about the stage of politics so in many respects you can take the characters to be almost amalgams of the men and women we know who inhabit the strange worlds of politics and gay activism. They almost need one another to survive. They both need enemies to give themselves reasons to continue the struggle.

The book is in two parts really. The story of the brief and troubled relationship between Ralph and Bill – two gay men who really shouldn’t be sharing the same roof let alone the same bed. Ralph is an openly gay man managing a book store in NY, a former activist he now seems estranged from the whole gay politics of it all and quite happy to live, love and work. His friends don’t think the same though. Bill is a right-wing political pundit hoping to make it big exposing the creeping liberalism he sees all about him. Especially the rise of women which he believes is weakening the political structures in Washington. Strange views coming from a minority himself. Of course Bill the commentator isn’t officially ‘out’ as he feels [and quite rightly knows] that it would put an end to whatever future he has as a right wing pundit. It’s almost a contradiction in terms – a Republican gay man.

It is a mere vague footnote in his first political expose that starts things off. Ralph’s best friend who works for a female senator may have compromised herself and her boss by an obvious infatuation with her. This leads to innuendos about Washington as to what may really be going on. Ralph uses this as an excuse to quit the relationship with Bill who he really has taken a dislike to – or rather his politics. He still likes the man even though he is loathe to admit it to himself. And that is the beginning of part two of the novel.

Part two finds Ralph the centre of a confluence of external agendas and events which have really nothing to do with him. His personal relationship – as brief as it was – suddenly takes on a rather seedy and murky appearance when the newspapers get hold of it. Ralph suddenly finds himself a victim of circumstances and is charged with first degree murder. He is then owned by various factions who have reasons of their own why he should be found guilty or innocent. He seems almost like a prop in other people’s vendettas. One reviewer found the latter half implausible but to those who know anything about how politics actually works (rather than the television version of it) and how the law works (again the real rather than television version of it) will know that the unfolding drama is perfectly plausible and has probably happened on many occasions.

Personally I found the ending rather disappointing. I really couldn’t make out what the writer intended. I’m sure much was said by editors and agents about it but obviously the author decided it was what he wanted. I think it could have ended on a different note. Others may disagree.

Worth reading.