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wai's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I just happened to pick up this novel at a Goodwill without knowing anything about it. It was...interesting, to say the least. It kind of feels like two novels woven together - one about the complexity of an interracial gay relationship in the 60s, and then a private eye detective novel. I'm not sure the two really mesh that well.
I didn't realize until after I had started that the author was a white man writing from the POV of a black man. As a white person myself, it doesn't read terribly stereotypical, but knowing that I did feel a discomfort from those sections that are very explicitly about racism and the Black experience. I would be really interested in hearing about what the response to this novel was from the Black queer community when it was published.
The characters are imperfect which does make them feel real but also makes it harder to root for them. The main character is a domestic abuser, & his main lover a thief and a liar. It's a snapshot of gay life in a time period where we don't get as much explicit talk about queer life and stories, but the same things that make that period of time less than ideal for those of us in the 21st century is definitely apparent here as well.
I found it intriguing but I don't think I would recommend it to others.
I didn't realize until after I had started that the author was a white man writing from the POV of a black man. As a white person myself, it doesn't read terribly stereotypical, but knowing that I did feel a discomfort from those sections that are very explicitly about racism and the Black experience. I would be really interested in hearing about what the response to this novel was from the Black queer community when it was published.
The characters are imperfect which does make them feel real but also makes it harder to root for them. The main character is a domestic abuser, & his main lover a thief and a liar. It's a snapshot of gay life in a time period where we don't get as much explicit talk about queer life and stories, but the same things that make that period of time less than ideal for those of us in the 21st century is definitely apparent here as well.
I found it intriguing but I don't think I would recommend it to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder, Homophobia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Outing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia
psalmcat's review
4.0
Originally published in 1968 as Known Homosexual, and in 1977 as Stranger to Himself; both probably under the pen name "James Colton"
zefrog's review
4.0
Although it could be considered a literary murder mystery, Pretty Boy Dead, the third incarnation of this book, is in truth more a coming of age story with a murder story tacked on to the end (and the first chapter).
The read knows from the start that a character has been killed and that Steven, the hero, has been arrested for the murder. Most of the book is however dedicated to telling Steven's recent story as an arty young black gay man coming to term with who he is and the mistakes he makes along the way.
Hansen takes care to present us with an ever-growing list of suspects as the story proceeds but still manages to surprise with his solution.
The writing is very good and the story is at time totally engrossing and always well paced and involving.
The read knows from the start that a character has been killed and that Steven, the hero, has been arrested for the murder. Most of the book is however dedicated to telling Steven's recent story as an arty young black gay man coming to term with who he is and the mistakes he makes along the way.
Hansen takes care to present us with an ever-growing list of suspects as the story proceeds but still manages to surprise with his solution.
The writing is very good and the story is at time totally engrossing and always well paced and involving.
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