Film: Silverlake Life, The View From Here

AIDS is a scary bastard, especially to the mother of a gay son. When Silverlake Life was filmed, it was a death sentence. However, the film-maker was fiercely alive while he survived, and ensured that this powerful story would be brought to the world by his lover, and then his student. Tom Joslin was not sentimental, but he was not afraid of love, of fear, of grief. Nor was he afraid of death, of AIDS, of losing his youth and health.

This film is lovely, heartbreaking, ugly and beautiful. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108138/

Best Spinoff Book Series, EVAH!

Diana Gabaldon's Lord John books are wonderful in every way! Of course, it helps if you are a fan of the Outlander series, but even if you are not, the historical mystery/romance/suspense mix involving the Lord John Grey will delight you. They take place mostly in mid-1700s London, although Germany is the setting for two of the war stories, which take place during the 7 Years War.

Lord John is homosexual (not gay, not yet) when that could mean disgrace or even execution. It is a delight to see him finding love and some pleasure, while solving mysteries and doing good.

These stories were created and published somewhat out of order, so ideally one would read the story "Lord John and the Hellfire Club" first, then Lord John and the Private Matter (novel), "Lord John and the Succubus" (novella), Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (novel), and finally "Lord John and the Haunted Soldier" (short story). There will be a third novel, Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner, and I can hardly wait for it! The short story and novellas are now available in one volume, called "Lord John and the Hand of Devils."

Unlike DG's Outlander books, these are about 300 pages each. :-)

Foreign Film bouquet

Last night, from England, The Killing of Sister George (1968), at the time of US release, so shocking that it was given an X rating! On one viewing, I found it disquieting, since all the women were so hard and manipulative, with the exception of the small part of the neighbor, a whore, who was .... friendly, in the best sense. Since I'm still thinking this film over, and it has such high marks from so many people on IMDb, I guess I should see the DVD version before I give an equivocal rating. Props to Robert Aldritch, the director, for making a landmark lesbian film in the Sixties -- before Stonewall! And to Beryl Reid (June 'George' Buckridge), Susannah York (Alice 'Childie' McNaught) and Coral Browne (Mercy Croft) who gambled their careers on these roles, and did such a superb job. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063185/

Another shocker, this one from Germany and Hungary - Mephisto (1981). What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lost his soul? This is the bargain made by Mephisto, which is a slightly fictionalized story of German actor Gustaf Gründgens who gave up his ideals to remain an actor once the Nazis took power. Completely excellent. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082736/

From France, charming Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink) (1997), about a little boy who must express himself as a girl to be happy and himself. I loved the depiction of French family life, especially the neighborhood parties. And young Georges Du Fresne (Ludovic Fabre) is completely charming. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/

Finally, from France and Italy, the hilarious comedy La Cage aux folles (1978) which is based on the musical play of the same name, and most Americans know by The Birdcage based on the same play. Superior in many ways to the remake, it left me wishing yet again that I knew French! I was sad to read on the IMDb message board that Michel Serrault, who played Albin Mougeotte /'Zaza Napoli' so magnificently, with such dignity, hysteria and love, has died. Also, Rémi Laurent who played the son, died of AIDS in 1989. RIP. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077288

Just a Question of Love

Juste une question d'amour (2000) was OK. I know that parents DO agonize over their sons' coming out -- but in France do they? I thought that sort of blind stupidity was American. ::sigh:: I guess not. The boys are cute, the accepting mother is nice, and the rest of them -- I should have more sympathy, but it was very difficult to excuse their behavior. Yay for French TV though -- this was a made-for-TV movie! You have to love a film about coming out that isn't full of cliches, and has a happy ending! http://imdb.com/title/tt0231844/

GLBT Films

Films for Gay-Straight Alliances

For the Bible Tells Me So by Daniel Karslake, 2007, 99 min, Color, DVD

Filmmaker and Duke graduate of '87, Daniel Karslake's new film has been short-listed for an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary in 2007.

ABOUT THE FILM:
Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival, Dan Karslake's provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture, and in the process reveals that Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a significant (and often malicious) misinterpretation of the Bible. As the film notes, most Christians live their lives today without feeling obliged to kill anyone who works on the Sabbath or eats shrimp (as a literal reading of scripture dictates).

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

To view a trailer this film, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajBR0dq0XXk

See also: http://firstrunfeatures.com/forthebible_synopsis.html


New list from the Safe Schools Coalition: SHORT VIDEOS for your GSA?

NOTE: Safe Schools Coalition has NOT previewed these.

The Manual: http://cart.frameline.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=T723
Sophie Gregg 2006 15 min. Australia
Sonny, an eight year old boy, is sent away from home because his father believes he has characteristics that could lead to homosexuality. After twenty four years of treatment and psychiatric institutions, Sonny returns home for a funeral, and attempts to save his seven year old niece from experiencing a similar fate.

Act of Faith: http://cart.frameline.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=T569
Dan Bree 2002 6 min. USA
In the history of Islam, love between men is a centuries-old phenomenon. Yet Koranic tradition forbids choosing a mate of the same sex. Kyriell, an Imam’s son, struggled with reconciling his love for men with his love for Islam and eventually came back to the faith. Pakistani-born Arslan saw no compromise in Islam and discarded his religion, and Iftekar, a Muslim community leader, admits that Islam needs to be brought into the twenty-first century. Through the words of these men, the struggle of gay Muslims is revealed.

Junk Box Warrior: http://cart.frameline.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=T534
Preeti AK Mistry 2002 5 min. USA
Based on a poem of the same title, Junk Box Warrior is an enchanting mesh of spoken word and black-and-white images over a haunting soundtrack. Written by and starring Trans Slam poet Marcus Rene Van (of Deep Dickollective), this film explores the alienation, frustration and fear of not fitting into society's gender binary.

Myth of Father: http://cart.frameline.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=T556
Paul Hill 2003 28 min. USA
Director Paul Hill’s father, Jodie, is a transsexual woman. When she came out to Paul a few years ago, he began a journey to learn about who his father is. This stunning video documentary contrasts Paul’s relationship to his father with the relationship of his father and her own dad. Candid interviews provide reflections on Jodie’s youth: "He seemed to live the normal life. He was into cars, he was into rock bands, he went into the Army…married…child…" But no one really knew Jodie, as she explains, "No one knew who I was. I trashed relationships with everyone I knew, including my own son."

In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents: http://cart.frameline.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=T626
Jen Gilomen & COLAGE 2005 31 min. USA
In a time when LGBT families are debated and attacked in the media, courts and Congress, from school houses to state houses across the country, five young people who are children of LGBT parents give you a chance to walk in their shoes – to hear their own views on marriage, making change, and what it means to be a family. This film was produced by the COLAGE Youth Leadership and Action Program and directed by Jen Gilomen.

I was compiling a list of films for a GSA to show, and thought others might like to comment on or add to the list I came up with. Since the creation of this list, I've added links to IMDb to each film, and will be adding a note as to whether each film is available from KCLS and/or SPL. We should be ordering these films from the libraries so that they are made available to all:

In and Out (1997): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0119360/ (SPL, KCLS - VHS)

Ma vie en rose (1997): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/ (SPL, KCLS - VHS)

Not specifically gay, but - Billy Elliot (2000): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0249462/ (SPL - VHS; KCLS - DVD, VHS)

Trevor (1994) is a sweet, short film about an important topic - suicide by gay teens: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0111486/ (KCLS - VHS)

Another short: Andre's Mother (1990), which was made for public TV. Very nice character study of two characters brought together by shared grief. Richard Thomas is more likeable than I've ever seen him, as Andre's grieving lover, and Sada Thompson as Andre's mother is *frozen*. In the scenes with her mother, played by Sylvia Sidney (who steals every scene she's in), you see the roots of her damage. http://imdb.com/title/tt0099037/

Haven't seen Bruno (2000), (AKA The Dress Code) but it looks suitable, and funny: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0123003/ (KCLS - DVD as The Dress Code; SPL - none)

Haven't seen Innocent (2005) yet, either. It is described as, "17-year-old Eric follows his parents to immigrate to Canada and is thus forced to confront different emotional and cultural problems. He must not only adjust to the new environment, but also come to terms with his homosexuality. Standing at the brink of adulthood, he encounters a series of potential romantic interests - his handsome cousin, a schoolmate, a middle aged lawyer and finally a kitchen helper. They represent different stages in Eric's development, from infatuation, sex, love to a sense of responsibility. http://imdb.com/title/tt0777896/

Edge of Seventeen (1998) - I don't see a rating, since it is Aussie: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0138414/

Also unrated, but looks *wonderful* - La Ville dont le prince est un enfant (1997) or The Fire That Burns: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120453/

This one sounds good to me, but may be too quiet for a GSA - The Long Day Closes (1992)(unrated, UK): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0104753/

My Own Private Idaho (1991) (I can't find a rating, but River Phoenix is prostituting himself): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0102494/

Interesting, also NR - Olivier, Olivier (1992): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0102583/

12-minute short on iFilms - The Seventh Sense: http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2404708?htv=12

Du er ikke alene (1978)(You are Not Alone): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0080662/

Short documentary - Gay Youth (1992)(40 min): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0345317/

Doc. - The Times of Harvey Milk (1984): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0088275/

35 min doc. - Let's Get Real (2004): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0414222/

One of my favorites is Philadelphia (1993): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0107818/

Another is Maurice (1987): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0093512/

The Laramie Project (2002): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0257850/

(Aus.) Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (1994): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0109045/

Saved (2004) has a cute gay sub-plot: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0332375/

M. Butterfly (1993) was a revelation. Such sensitive, beautiful acting, and an excellent riff on the operatic tale of Madame Butterfly. Jeremy Irons, always excellent, plays René Gallimard, based on a historical character, who is in fact still alive. John Lone as Song Liling is electrifying. http://imdb.com/title/tt0107468/


Too bad these are R:

Latter Days (excellent!): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0345551/

Yossi & Jagger (2002): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0334754/

Beautiful Thing (1996) (UK): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0115640/

Like It Is (1998): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0146990/ (Roger Daltry -- but boxing? Aus.)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0248845/

Of course as soon as I clicked the post button, I remembered more. A couple more R-rated, but they are biographies, so maybe you can slide by.....

* Paul Monette: The Brink of Summer's End (1996): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0117310/

Piñero (2001) (Benjamin Bratt stars): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0261066/

** Before Night Falls (2000) (Javier Bardem): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0247196/

Basquiat (1996): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0115632/

Super intense - Boys Don't Cry (1999) (Hilary Swank): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0171804/

Gia (1998)(R): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0123865/

Love! Valour! Compassion! (1997): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0119578/

Torch Song Trilogy (1988): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0096289/

Better Than Chocolate (1999): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0168987/

Revoir Julie (1998): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0180095/

Orlando (1992): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0107756/

Trick (1999) (R): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0162710/

The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0222850/

Mysterious Skin (2004)(NC-17): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0370986/ -- very intense, prostitution, and very disturbing violence. Wonderful performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The Cockettes (2002), was a total trip back to the late Sixties San Francisco. I adore this film, and anyone who cares about gay history, the Sixties, art or drama should SEE THIS FILM! As John Waters so wisely said, "the Cockettes were basically complete sexual anarchy. which is always a good thing." http://imdb.com/title/tt0303321/. Brief views of bare breasts and penises, and frank discussion of drug use. This is a documentary of the Sixties. :-)

La Mala educación (2004) (Bad Education) (NC-17/R): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0275491/

Burnt Money (Plata quemada) (2000), is a wonderful Argentine film based on a true crime story. Leonardo Sbaraglia as El Nene and Eduardo Noriega as Ángel burns up the screen. Pablo Echarri as El Cuervo is crazysexy as hell, too! Dolores Fonzi as Vivi also shines on the screen. If sex, drugs, nudity and crime offend you, this is not your film. But if magnetic characters walking and even dancing to their doom is your style, check it out! http://imdb.com/title/tt0227277/. Probably not suitable for most high school GSAs, in the US anyway.


Also, in my wonderful queer film group over at MyQueerSpace.com, the following places to research and order films were recommended:

Strand Releasing: http://www.strandreleasing.com

TLA Releasing: http://www.tlareleasing.com

Popcorn Q Movies: http://www.planetout.com/popcornq/

IMDb: http://us.imdb.com/ (obviously, I use this one constantly)

Suggestions from the GSA group where I originally posted my lists:

Camp (2003): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0342167/ (PG-13)

The Birdcage (1996): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0115685/ (R-?!)
Of course there is always the original: La Cage aux folles (1978): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0077288/

The Truth About Jane (2000): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0256459/ (TV movie)

Three to Tango (1999): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0144640/ (PG-13)

Paragraph 175 (2000) is a good documentary about how the Nazis persecuted gays: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0236576/

Hairspray (1988): http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0095270/ (PG)

I came across a SUPER list tonight, with short summaries of each of the listed films: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr/out/public/Filmlist and Listmania! Gay Films You Might Have Missed: http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/3SYA7TIB3ZZKI/104-2303910-1113561?%5Fencoding=UTF8

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Why are so few of these gay, independent films not known even in the community?

Mark mentioned at the recent annual Seattle PFLAG meeting that most of the gay related movies were independent and that people seemed to be unaware of the majority of them. He says, "This documentary should shed light on why this is the case, from what I read in the review, which is on page 57 of the Advocate, September 26, 2006 issue."

Rated G for “greedy”

This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Directed by Kirby Dick, IFC Films

In his new documentary, This Film Is Not Yet Rated, Kirby Dick goes well beyond indicting the top-secret rating system of the Motion Picture Association of America. His real subject is the greed of the Hollywood studios and how they use the rating system to suppress independent films, especially those with queer characters.

Brokeback Mountain notwithstanding, indie filmmakers produce most queer screen content. Unfortunately for these artists, the MPAA maintains rigid control over commercial releases through a secret panel of screeners who often label gay sex as ‘aberrational behavior.’ Regardless of the artistic intent, filmmakers adding a little boy-on-boy action are headed for an NC-17 rating and all that it implies: advertising restrictions and limited releases.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated presents an overview of the rating system’s hypocrisy, including how sex (gay and straight) is censored four times more often than even the most brutal violence. With the help of a dyke private investigator, Kirby aggressively pursues the identities of the secret screening board members in an effort to understand their maddeningly inconsistent judgments. While the investigation techniques tend to be a bit pathetic, the findings are damning—the panel turns out to be a glaringly white and heterosexual group of ‘concerned parents’ sometimes augmented by Catholic and Episcopal priests.

Kirby obviously had a soft spot in his heart for queer filmmakers, beginning his film with the travails Kimberly Peirce faced in releasing her Academy Award-winning Boys Don’t Cry. He compares, for example, the sexual content of Peirce’s film, which received an NC-17, with the hetero horniness of American Pie, which skated by with an R.

The MPAA, which emerges in Kirby’s film as a creature of the Hollywood studios, wraps itself in the cloak of morality. But like so much in the United States, what the MPAA presents as protecting children is much more about protecting profits. And it’s clear that gay visibility on the silver screen suffers for Hollywood’s greed.

—Patrick Moore (September 26, 2006 issue of The Advocate, p. 57)

Often we seek to grow or change ourselves by adjusting the external aspects of our lives. We all too often forget that permanent or real change only comes when the center of our being, our inner drives and motivations, undergoes transformation. - Errol Strider

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Seattle-area Resources for Gay Youth

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Fixing Gays

Seems that the fundamentalist right in the US has come up with a new way to attack gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, with their discredited and damaging "reparative therapy". PFOX is a leader in this faux movement; the "Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays." I'm not going to link to this group -- Google if you must. Even if it were the right thing to do (and I don't think it is), it doesn't work. See Free Z. - Testimonies: We Never Really Changed: http://66.197.210.102/~witchcra/FREEZ/testimonies.html

and Reparative Therapy - A Psuedo Science: http://jgford.homestead.com/

These people should all read the book Prayers for Bobby by Leroy Aarons. See the first few pages at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0062511238/104-2303910-1113561?v=glance

An example of the real-world consequences of this kind of crap, and the damage it can do (happening right now): http://blog.myspace.com/specialkid (unfortunately, most of this blog has been removed, because of what happened)

Another example, from the Love Welcomes All conference: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002371684_gayconference10m.html

Interesting article using Zach's case as illustration - What's 'mental health' in a theocracy? http://www.onlinejournal.com/Theocracy_Alert/070605Seesholtz/070605seesholtz.html

A wonderful comic based on Zach's true story - FreeZ: http://66.197.210.102/~witchcra/FREEZ/

Beyond Ex-Gay: http://www.beyondexgay.com

What are the "ex-gay" crowd up to now? Ex-Gay Watch: http://www.exgaywatch.com and Truth Wins Out: http://truthwinsout.org/

News note on Christianity Today weblog - U.K. Ex-Gay Ministry Quits Effort, Says Trying Changing Orientation Is Hopeless: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/105/54.0.html

A funny/serious take on it - Doin' Time in The Homo No Mo Halfway House: How I Survived the Ex-gay Movement: http://www.homonomo.com/

And another - GodLovesFags.com: http://www.godlovesfags.com/

Nice summation on the subject at Wikipedia - Ex-gay: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-gay

PFLAG also has a good summation of the issue - Social Work Today: http://www.pflag.org/index.php?id=438

An emotional and personal account - Jesusland, By Max Gordon: http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/12/07_jesusland.html

Find some local groups at the National Directory of LGBT Community Centers: http://www.lgbtcenters.org/directory.asp

Excellent collection of links by Gabi Clayton: http://www.youth-guard.org/gabi/gcresource_spirit.htm


Some websites to check out, if you are confronted with this dreck:

Family Acceptance.com: http://www.familyacceptance.com/

Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse: http://www.truluck.com/

Scholarly article - Homosexuality and the Bible by Walter Wink, Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Auburn Theological Seminary, New York City: http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/wink.htm

To Educate About the Consequences of Homophobia: http://www.teach-ministries.org/ -
Bob and Mary Lou Wallner have written a book called The Slow Miracle of Transformation.

Love Welcomes All: http://www.lovewelcomesall-wa.org/

Whosoever: The Bible and Homosexuality: http://www.whosoever.org/bible/

A Letter to Louise - A Biblical Affirmation of Homosexuality: http://www.godmademegay.com/

And see some GLBT religious organizations:

Soul Force: http://www.soulforce.org/
What the Bible Says, and Doesn't Say, about Homosexuality
A False Focus on My Family
Christian Youth: An Important Voice in the Present Struggle for Gay Rights in America

Finding an open and welcoming congregation - GayChurch.org: http://www.gaychurch.org/, Institute for Welcoming Resources (The Task Force): http://www.welcomingresources.org/directory.htm

Evangelicals Concerned: http://www.ecinc.org/

National Religious Leadership Roundtable: http://www.thetaskforce.org/ourprojects/nrlr/index.cfm

DignityUSA - GLBT Catholics: http://www.dignityusa.org/

And finally, a wonderful interview with Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, about his book The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible’s Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love on KUOW radio: http://kuow.org/defaultProgram.asp?ID=8710

Wonderful collection, GLBTQ Spirit: http://www.youth-guard.org/gabi/gcresource_spirit.htm, and Alex Sanchez's (Rainbow Boys, God Box) links: http://www.alexsanchez.com/Spirituality.htm

Three Soulforce booklets, available as hardcopy or free download: What the Bible Says, and Doesn't Say, about Homosexuality, A False Focus on My Family, Christian Youth: An Important Voice in the Present Struggle for Gay Rights in America.

Also see Open Letter to Dr. Laura concerning her Condemnation of Homosexual People: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2004/02/open-letter-to-dr-laura-concerning-her.html

And Marriage, the Bible, and Mr. Bush: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2004/01/marriage-bible-and-mr-bush.html

New group in Virginia - New gay-friendly coalition offers faith-based alternative: Organizers aim to be the antithesis of the vocal conservative Christian set: http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=1528

White Ribbon Campaign Raising Awareness about Gay-Teen Suicide And remembering those who we've lost

Mistakes are the portals for discovery. - James Joyce

Books

OK, I've finally read something other than Diana Gabaldon or Joseph Hansen. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell gets its own post, however! The delights of that wonderful novel are still swirling about in my brain. Next, I gobbled, in the most greedy manner, a novel penned in 1913 & 1914, but only published in 1971, a year after E.M. Forster's death. Maurice: A novel was as fresh as if written yesterday, as far as the writing goes. However, it is an amazing picture of England in the early 20th century. Until 1967, homosexuality was illegal, and the social sanctions were very strong against homosexual feelings, much less sexual acts! "In 1980, the Criminal Justice Act brought Scots law in line with English law, decriminalizing sex between men in private. In 1994, the age of consent for homosexual acts was reduced from 21 to 18. In 2000, it was reduced to 16 (which is also the age of consent for heterosexual acts)." Maurice is in no way a screed, or about the social conditions or the law. It is about HAPPINESS, and three men, and their choices. Great book -- too bad it could not have been published in 1914, but since it did not end with the punishment of the men involved in an proscribed activity and mindset, it could not be published then. I'm glad some progress has been made.

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I happened across The Green Knight by Iris Murdoch (1994) at the library. This is the first novel by Murdoch I've read, and I didn't know what to expect. Puzzling, creative, fascinating, thoughtful -- good read. Slow, but then -- you see the story from almost ALL viewpoints, and there are lots of characters in this group. What a wealth of imagination Miss Murdoch had. The characters were so well-drawn, I felt I was in 'the family,' a group of close friends in London. Although the book was surely set in the 80s or 90s, I kept feeling that I was in Edwardian London. Murdoch can really play with your mind! I can't think of another novel where the action was seen through so many pairs of eyes. Almost dizzying, at times. I have such admiration for the skill of Iris Murdoch. What a treasure we have lost!

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Now reading Exuberance by Kay Redfield Jamison (2004), who also wrote An Unquiet Mind. It was an interesting read -- lots of interesting character sketches, intermixed with scientific studies of brain chemicals, moods and emotions, and more. Written in an exuberant style, fittingly.

I also got books for Christmas! Professional Genealogy leads the list, and I'm sure I'll be studying that one for YEARS. Also got the Social History of the Scotch-Irish by Leyburn, and a fascinating-looking Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America by Linda Lawrence Hunt. Finally, got 2 Diana Gabaldons and London by Edward Rutherfurd. After Xmas bonus: Monarch of the Glen. :-)

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Paul Herrick wanted me to read Taking Sex Differences Seriously by Steven E. Rhoads. I guess this is supposed to be a provocative polemic for some imagined good old days when women were pure and men were tamed by 'em, but it had several serious weaknesses for me, although I had to agree with half of his points. Rather than drawing a logical conclusion, however, he just begged the question! I kept thinking, "yeah, yeah, yeah..... HUH?"

The research was good, and some of the studies were new to me. The writing was decent, for a non-fiction treatment of an important topic. The thinking, however, was seriously flawed. Rhoads sets up the straw-man (straw woman?) of feminism over and over again, of course to knock it down. A serious consideration of the conundrum that faces all of us moderns would have been much more valuable. Many women want to work for a living, and many more feel they have to for financial reasons. (And thus it has always been.) On the other hand, women want to stay home with their babies and young children more than men do. If they follow their hearts and stay home, they lose pay, of course, but more important, they lose TIME. They lose career momentum, and years worked. When they do return to work, their earning power is seriously compromised. Plus, the months or years at home with no paying work weakens women's power in our monetistic society.

If, on the other hand, women continue working, both they and their children suffer. Women who do not want children, or want to have them but continue working, are injured by the choices of the women who choose to stay home. Their pay will be depressed, they will be less likely to have wide choices of good day care, and they will suffer the loss of power even though they continue to work. I have no answers for this, but at least I can pose the question. I wish Rhoads had thought about this.

Instead, I waded through silly arguments about "The Rules" and such trash, Title IX moaning about the loss of wrestling, and who wants to hold babies more. Sheesh. Rhoads does not even discuss homosexuality in his arguments! Perhaps he can offer some serious thought on the issues, but they will not be found in this book. Steve, read some anthropology, dude! US society does not represent all humans though all of time. I'm glad I didn't spend any money on this turkey.

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Free Books Online:

Project Gutenberg: http://gutenberg.net/

The Online Books Page: http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/

Classics: http://www.bartleby.com

Fantasy and Science Fiction: http://www.baen.com/library/

Novels: http://www.freeonlinereading.com/links.htm

If you happen to own a dangerous science book, you may need one of these warning labels: http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/textbookdisclaimers/

Just finished a wonderful kid's book,The B.F.G. by Roald Dahl, who is always a good bet for a quick read. The most amazing created words -- especially wonderful insults. I love Matilda, and Witches, and James and the Giant Peach also.


Future file: James Morrow - Only Begotten Daughter & The Jehovah trilogy. Paul de Kruif - Microbe Hunter. Arrowsmith.


There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self. - Aldous Huxley

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Sex

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