MAY 16, 1997 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

BOOKS

Forget sticks and stones, names can really hurt

Gossip

by Christopher Bram Dutton, $23.95 hardcover

Reviewed by Bob Boone

It all started with a rather lackluster conversation on an Internet gay chat line. Before he knew it, Ralph Eckhart had unintentionally tested almost everything and everyone in which he believed.

Gossip, the latest novel from author Chris-

Christopher Bram

topher Bram, stumbles into intrigue like a lost tourist wandering from the designated paths at La Brea Tar Pits.

The story spills occasional ACT UP member Eckhart into a sexy gay relationship with a conservative Republican journalist. Though disgusted by his lover's politics, Eckhart holds on for the sex and the thrill of cheating on his beliefs.

As Eckhart's muddled questioning wrestles with his plodding sexual desires,

Bram skillfully coaxes readers into accepting the unlikely relationship. He then distracts us with a trip directly into the enemy's den as Eckhart tails his lover into a religious right-wing convention in Florida.

With a lack of easy and evil targets like a lambasting Pat Robertson or a damning Pat Buchanan, Bram confuses us with the event. Eckhart is stunned by the friendliness of the meeting, which seems more like a Sunday afternoon at the mall or a golf course.

"The chief differences were the scarcity of black faces and the complete absence of children. Well, you couldn't expose the kids to what might be discussed at something called the American Family Coalition. I wanted to see absurdities, but knew that toxic pastels and an occasional Wookie hairdo were not the enemy."

It is all part of Bram's clever setup where eventually no one is to be trusted and nothing is what it seems. He reminds the reader not to get lazy, not to trust someone because conventional wisdom says they are on one side or the other.

Gossip has the surprises and the twists of a top-notch thriller, but without the breakneck speed and lack of control. Bram instead takes the time to construct the strong characters and situations necessary for us to believe but never guess the novel's sudden turns and upheavals.

Christopher Bram is author of five previous novels, including Almost History, Father of Frankenstein, and In Memory of Angel Clare.

NDER THEATRES

It's Time...

Broadway's latest grand slam hit! The Indians and the Aeros have something to reckon with as we present

Special Preview

Pricing May 21 & 22

Special Preview Pricing Sept. 3&4

damn yankees

May 21 July 13

"You Gotta Have Heart", "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo." and "Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets)"

All Singing...All Dancing... All Gershwin!

GERSOWIN

RAZY

YOU

September 3 November 9

"Someone to Watch Over Me", "Embraceable You", "I Got Rhythm" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It"

From the team which brought you EVITA, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SUNSET BOULEVARD, and CATS Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

July 16 August 31

"I Don't Know How to Love Him”, "Hosanna" and

"Jesus Christ Superstar"

Special

Preview Pricing

July 16&17

The Carousel tradition continues

playing year after year to packed houses

Fantasy Spectacular

A Musical Extravaganza!

Special Preview Pricing Nov. 12 & 13

November 12 Jan. 11, 1998 An evening of show-stopping glitz, glamour and genuine good tidings. Your holiday season won't be complete if you miss this Spectacular!

ARTHUR E. OTT

ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW

PERSONAL PLANNING ▼Cohabitation (Living Together)

Agreements

Wills & Trusts

Powers of Attorney (Financial & Health Care)

BUSINESS

▼Corporations

▼Partnerships

Contracts Collections

3-135 Kent Road

Stow, Ohio 1234

REAL ESTATE

▼ Co-Ownership Agreements ▼ Residential-Buy/Sell/Lease Construction/Development

Commercial

SOCIAL SECURITY ▼ Disability

Supplemental Income

LITIGATION

MADISON VILLAGE DISTRICT

ALTERED IMAGE GALLERY PRESENTS

GLENN BARA

ARTIST RECEPTION MAY 17 7:00-10:00PM

SHINK

TAXATION

Professional Counseling Services Michael Shasky, MSW, LISW

Special Areas Including:

Free Initial

Anxiety

Consultation

• Stress

• Depression

Affordable Fees

•

Relationship Issues

• Adult Survivors of Abuse

Most Insurances Accepted

• Adolescent Concerns

• Codependency

•

1155 West Third Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43212

Phone: (614) 291-4848

Sexuality Issues

330-686-308? 216-163-5505 #3082

Hours by Appointment

Confidentiality Assured

King Daddy's Wah Wah Palace

વ

DAY OF THE DEAD ART VOODOO DOLLS MASKS HANDCRAFTED FURNITURE

ALTERED IMAGE GALLERY

13341 Madison Ave Lakewood, OH 44107 (216) 221-8181

Hours Tues-Sat 12:00-8:00pm Sun 1:00-3:00pm, Mon Closed

226-6101 13343 MADISON AVE. LAKEWOOD

Home Environments

Professional Renovation and Design

P.O. Box 720 Edgewater Station Lakewood, OH 44107

(216) 651-4685 V/M 806-3126

Joseph A. Smith

• General Contractor

Services

• Interior and

Exterior

Renovations

• Custom Designed Kitchens

• Designer and Glamour Baths • Innovative Decks • Stunning Room Expansions and Additions

• Complete Interior and Construction

Design Services • Painting: Interior and Exterior • Wallcoverings Installation

• Marble and Ceramic Installation