[ebooks] Fly Fishing Castaic Lake: An excerpt from Fly Fishing California by Ken Hanley at Arts-Photography

Review

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A comedic Drama for our favourite gay familyBy Ventura AngeloThe "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 Savages 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 Savages acquaintance;but Dennis wouldnt 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. Its an exquisite read for gays and non-homophobic straights alike; because this little microcosms 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! Theyre really funny and inspiring.But the spooky; the tragic and the hysterically funny intertwine magnificently in these stories; worthy of Saki; OHenry and Oscar Wilde.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. BRUSH UP YOUR SONDHEIM START QUOTING HIM NOWBy Charles SlovenskiEven though this is the fourth of Morddens series on gay Manhattan; this is the first one Ive read. I immediately went out and purchased the third; which attests to the fact that I found lots of fun and solace in reading this book. Between the laughs; I felt swell because I could recognize the musical comedy quotes and the references to gay life in the 70s and 80s on the east coast. I think its interesting that the Kirkus review mentions Ivy Compton-Burnett because the relationships in this book have the same elusive quality as the ones in her books; often characterized only by quirky dialogue. However; I disagree with the Kirkus review: I found this book and especially the repartee to be funny; and several of the episodes are quite moving. Its amazing to see that a good writer is recording the paths our lives have taken within gay culture: I was reminded of myself and my early friends; many of whom are now gone. And; as sappy as this sounds; I felt that our friendships and caprices had all meant something after all9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. A gay male GotterdammerungBy Todd E. KeelerThis 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 Morddens 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.