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The Handsomest Man in the World The Book Nook |
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The Handsomest Man in the World, a novel by David Leddick; Harrington Park Press; 204 pages; $17.95.
In The Handsomest Man in the World, Leddick's latest and greatest novel (his fourth), the author goes back to the Eisenhower Era; 1954, to be exact. It is a love story, one that begins on the Bikini atoll and ends in San Francisco, Manhattan, Fire Island, and Washington D.C. Contrary to popular belief, gay life in the 1950's was not all doom and gloom. It is true that gay men and lesbian women were routinely kicked out of government jobs; queer bars were constantly raided; and most of us were in the closet. But there were also a lot of same-sex love affairs, even with men and women who did not consider themselves to be "gay." William, the novel's narrator, meets and falls in love with "the handsomest man in the world", Fred, when the two are on a mission at the Bikini atoll, site of the first hydrogen bomb tests. William is an officer and a closeted gay. Fred is an enlisted man and a self-proclaimed heterosexual. All this did not prevent the two men from embarking on a star-crossed love affair; at a time and a place where same-sex love was frowned upon. In My Worst Date and The Sex Squad, David Leddick proved to be the master of light, romantic novels. In The Handsomest Man in the World, Leddick shows that he is just as adept at writing more serious fare. Though the (mostly one-sided) love between William and Fred is firmly set in the 1950's, we who live half a century later can relate to William's conflicts and emotions, even though most of our present or former partners, thank God, do not have the identity conflict that Fred obviously has. But The Handsomest Man in the World is not just a soap opera. Here the reader will find the light touches that mark the Leddick style; along with fascinating depictions of gay life at it was lived 50 years ago. The Handsomest Man in the World is both an entertaining and thought-provoking book. 
Brief Views: Jameson Currier is the acclaimed author of the novel Where the Rainbow Ends (1998), as well as Dancing on the Moon: Short Stories About AIDS (1993). Desire, Lust, Passion, Sex ($14.95), published by Green Candy Press, collects Currier's best short fiction, along with a few new stories.
Currier has the gift for compressing a novel's worth of plot, character and theme within the confines of a short story, as evidenced by these short subjects. Besides dealing with desire, lust, passion and sex, Currier's fiction collection is a fascinating look at the gay human condition, circa 2004, in the United States. Once again Green Candy Press should be complimented for publishing a gem that, for whatever reason, was passed over by the major publishers. Seven Sweet Things: a novella with recipes ($15.00) is harder to find, since it was published by a British publishing company (bluechrone). But it is worth the effort. Shaun Levin's first novella combines two of my favorite topics, food and sex. The narrator, a talented pastry chef, and his beloved Martin, are South Africans who are trying to survive in bustling London. To the passionate narrator, making pastries is more than just a career. Each time that Martin strays, our hero consoles himself by baking a cake or pie; and the recipe is included in the book! I would have been tempted to try out one of the narrator's (Levin's?) tasty recipes myself, if I was not on a low carb diet. I had to make to with Seven Sweet Things' other sweet treat - the sex - which is effectively erotic without being coarse. An interesting plot, compelling characters, an almost-unique writing style - and recipes! - are the basic ingredients that make this a great work of fiction. It's so good! My Favorite Book: is brought to us this week by my good friend Gus Kein, who has been making an impact on our community ever since he was a mere pup at the University of Florida some ? years ago. Kein's favorite book is The Everglades: River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas [50th Anniversary Edition, Pineapple Pres, 1997]: "After a recent trip to Everglades National Park, I read this book. This brilliant ecological classic opened my mind to the fragile nature of South Florida and the eternal beauty of the Everglades, our River of Grass. It's a must read for any of our new Floridians. It makes you wonder where all the drinking water will come from for all the new construction in town!" Share your favorite book - title, author, and a brief note about why you like the book so much - with me at jessemonteagudo@aol.com . Subject: "Book Nook Favorite Book." In return, I promise to give you 15 minutes of fame.
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David Leddick is one of our community's jewels. Author, actor, singer, dancer, businessman, connoisseur, bon vivant, he's done it all. I've had the privilege of being a guest at one of Leddick's parties, held at his fabu mansion on Miami Beach. I have also enjoyed his one-man cabaret show; admired his collection of male art; and read his novels and male photo collections that he edited.
Jesse Monteagudo is a freelance writer and gay book lover who lives in South Florida with his life partner and many books. Write him a note at