August, 1990

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Page 9

Review

Rapture and

the Second Coming by Wendy Borgstrom Alyson Publications

by Sue Rochman

Is that perfect person truly out there? Will rapture and delight be assured once we find that kindred soul? Although these questions are posed throughout Rapture and the Second Coming, this novel is more than just another search for love. Wendy Borgstrom's fantasy was to write a lesbian novel that went beyond merely alluding to what goes on between the sheets; and in her fiction, descriptive and lusty sex has found a home.

KAPTURE

AND THE

SECOND COMING

Wendy Borgstrom

Borgstrom decided to write fiction that would be first and foremost erotic, and to worry about the filler between the sex scenes later. Yet, what began as a plot meant to pull all the sex scenes together grew into a novel about self-discovery and the importance of relationships. “I wanted to say that sex is real, important, good, clean, and enjoyable," Borgstrom explains. "But I also wanted to say that sex is not the answer to life."

Gwen, the narrator of Rapture, may be searching for love, but she is more than willing to take a few sexual detours along the way. Borgstrom describes Gwen as "someone who takes herself seriously, but not too seriously." The book maps Gwen's personal growth as she learns to recognize her own needs and those of others.

Rapture is divided into two parts. The first section describes a world of lusty sex, one-night stands, gorgeous women, and wonderful orgasms-of sex for sex's sakeand is one in which probably all of our erotic imaginations (if not our actual selves) would like to spend some time. In bathtubs and bathroom stalls, on the beach, and in a quick, furtive encounter on the subway, attractive, sensuous women seem to seek Gwen out. She experiences pleasure through the tongues and fingertips of many, and seems to live in a world of sexual perfection: no rejections and lots of great orgasms.

In the second part, however, a different side of Gwen emerges. We see her struggle to maintain a relationship with

Linda, the woman she loves and lusts after, and with whom she now lives. But Gwen's affairs and alcoholism are now barriers that must be overcome. The novel is not only about finding love, but about picking up the pieces when it shat-

ters.

The first part of the book is, in many ways, "total fantasy," says Borgstrom, whereas "the second part is much more realistic." In the second section, Gwen's sexual encounters reflect a greater sense of reality: learning how to have safer sex with a woman who is HIV-positive; sex where orgasm just doesn't happen; being rejected by someone she really wants.

"In the first half Gwen is coming out and trying to find herself in other people," explains Borgstrom. "She's filling up a lot of empty space with sex. In the second half she is learning what she wants for herself. She doesn't really know how important a relationship is until she loses and must scramble to save it."

With chapter after chapter of descriptive erotica, and variety in both technique and style, this book is fun to read and a definite turn-on. Within the genre of lesbian erotica, Rapture and the Second Coming could be described as vanilla (the one bondage scene fairly mild), but tangy vanilla, with a bite of bean remaining.

Borgstrom says that although some women who have already read this novel have assumed that it was autobiographical, she emphasizes that it really is fictional. Although some of the scenes have developed out of Borgstrom's own experience, many came about as friends shared with her their own fantasies, dreams, and real-life adventures.

It is because lesbians have begun sharing these types of stories that good, descriptive erotica has become increasingly available. Make room for Rapture and the Second Coming on the shelf by your bed. You'll be glad it's there.

Rochman is a freelance writer and the education coordinator at Ithaca Rape Crisis. Her articles and reviews have been published in the Advocate, Gay Community News, and Off Our Backs.▼

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This space has been donated to the Center by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.

by Robert Laycock

A gift from G.I.F.T. This summer got off to a great start on June 10 when the Center attended the Gay Invitational Fellowship Tournament's 1990 Banquet as the honored guest. And an honor it was--do these folks know how to throw a party! Mary, Mary would be bowled over!

The Gay Invitational Fellowship Tournament (G.I.F.T.) is held annually in Cleveland with bowlers coming from across the country to participate in three days of spirited competition and merriment. The weekend's festivities are capped by a gala banquet, held this year at the Airport Marriott.

The food and entertainment were fabulous, and the raffle gifts an experience, topped only by G.I.F.T.'s generosity to the Center. G.I.F.T. presented a check for $500, and gave this writer a chance to present the Center's recent accomplishments and future goals.

Thanks to everyone in G.I.F.T. for the donation and a great evening.

It's A Stage. But, the Center too knows a little about entertainment and merry-making. Our monthly showtune sing-a-longs are a wonderful chance to try your talents elsewhere than your morning shower, though the acoustics are probably better at home.

This month we're singing the scores of Guys and Dolls and Oliver. Join us on Saturday, August 11, at 7:30 pm.

Son (or Daughter) of PRYSM. PRYSM II is now playing Detroit. The community in Michigan is so impressed with our youth group, Presence & Respect for Youth in Sexual Minority, that they have started program modeled on ours.

We are flattered as well by the Men in Touch and Women In Touch groups started there. Both are modeled on the Center's successful six-week Men in Touch workshop series on communication, intimacy and sexuality.

Watch this space for an announcement of our next series.

Fall Internships. The Center offers college internship opportunities, and we're seeking students for the fall semester. Help the community and

earn credit towards your degree. Call Aubrey Wertheim at 522-1999.

Community Shares. One way the Center raises funds is through membership in Greater Cleveland Community Shares, a fundraising federation of over 20 social action agencies. Community Shares is an alternative to United Way for workplace payroll deduction charity drives. It's a new and rapidly growing organization, raising over $100,000 for it's members in 1989.

Members of Community Shares are forging a path toward a new, thriving community whose citizens are part of the system, not alienated from it. They are helping people of different agents, backgrounds and economic levels work together toward common goals.

If you would like Community Shares at your workplace rather than just United Way, call 371-0209 to learn how you can help. By helping Community Shares you'll be helping the Center and many other worthy groups.

Garden Party. Elsewhere in this issue you'll find an article on the Center's Garden Party and Auction held Sunday, July 15 at the elegant Schweinfurth home. The party was a fabulous success and will long be remembered.

As President of the Center, I must take a moment to thank everyone on the Garden Party Committee. They simply outdid themselves putting together this extraordinary affair. Thanks also go to everyone who donated the fine art and other items for auction.

Special acknowledgement also goes to our host, Richard Van Petten and Dale H. Smith for opening up their home to the community. And finally, thanks to our guests who made it all a huge success. A standing ovations to all!

Lights, Camera, Action! Also in this issue, you will find an article about the Center's new search for an executive director. This effort is made possible by an historic $83,000 two-year grant received by the Center from the Cleveland Foundation.

The grant charts new territory in support by establishment philanthropic institutions for specific, open gay-lesbian services and organizing in Cleveland. The grant is part of a total $131,000 two-year expansion project proposed by the Center's board of trustees.

Our deepest thanks go to the Cleveland Foundation and Program Officer Goldie Alvis for their support.

And our thanks to all of you-with your support, your community center is growing better each and every day.▼

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