Best of
Glbt

1974

The Front Runner


Patricia Nell Warren - 1974
    In 1975, coach Harlan Brown is hiding from his past at an obscure New York college, after he was fired from Penn State University on suspicion of being gay. A tough, lonely ex-Marine of 39, Harlan has never allowed himself to love another man. Then Billy Sive, a brilliant young runner, shows up on his doorstep. He and his two comrades, Vince Matti and Jacques LaFont, were just thrown off a major team for admitting they are gay. Harlan knows that, with proper training, Billy could go to the '76 Olympics in Montreal. He agrees to coach the three boys under strict conditions that thwart Billy's growing attraction for his mature but compelling mentor. The lean, graceful frontrunner with gold-rim glasses sees directly into Harlan's heart. Billy's gentle and open acceptance of his sexuality makes Harlan afraid to confront either the pain of his past, or the challenges which lay in wait if their intimacy is exposed. But when Coach Brown finds himself falling in love with his most gifted athlete, he must combat his true feelings for Billy or risk the outrage of the entire sports world - and their only chance at Olympic gold.

A Woman Is Talking to Death


Judy Grahn - 1974
    Lesbian poetry.

The Story of Harold


Terry Andrews - 1974
    You have no choice: I've invited you. We will have a lot of sex. You are going to laugh a great deal -- people have no idea how blithe a suicide can be! -- and you will meet a few human beings whom you'll have to love as much as I do."With these words Terry Andrews, bestselling author of a beloved children's classic welcomes us to his world. THE STORY OF HAROLD is a Dantesque excursion through a garden of tortured and unfulfilled relationships: one with a woman whom Terry sleeps with and cares for but cannot love completely; another with a surgeon, father of six, who is Terry's most cherished -- and most unreciprocating -- lover; and another with a sad young boy already doomed to a life of insecurity and failure, whome Terry strives to redeem -- even as he prepares his own suicide. As Terry beguiles the boy further spellbinding exploits of Harold -- the hero of his famous book -- the reader follows Terry, with terror and pity, to the end of his appointed journey.

Trying Hard to Hear You


Sandra Scoppettone - 1974
    By the end of summer, the narrator writes, "two of us were going to suffer like we never had before."

Foreign Affairs


Hugh Fleetwood - 1974
    Intensely self-absorbed, Paolo values his independence above all else and has no desire to be trapped in the commitments of a relationship. But he can’t seem to shake off the attentions of Ralph, a sinister crippled boy who is in love with Paolo and persists in stalking him.One morning Paolo awakes in terror to find himself handcuffed to his bed with Ralph looming over him. Paolo’s most precious parts – his hands – are to be forfeit unless he submits to Ralph’s bizarre demands . . .Described by one critic as “the master of modern horror,” Hugh Fleetwood is the award-winning author of more than twenty volumes of fiction, including the classics The Girl Who Passed for Normal and The Order of Death. Foreign Affairs (1973), his third novel, is a literary thriller whose unexpected twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.REVIEWS‘I must repeat my admiration for the high promise shown in Foreign Affairs. Hugh Fleetwood appears much the most talented young English author I’ve come across in some time.’ – Peter Prince, New Statesman‘A gripping novel.’ – Books and Bookmen‘A rich, gruesome, irresistibly readable book.’ – Sunday Times‘Mr. Fleetwood can write like a dream ... and really get into your head. He reaches down and stirs up with venomous delight the nameless, faceless things swimming far below the levels of consciousness.’ – Scotsman

Ivy, The Life Of I. Compton Burnett


Hilary Spurling - 1974
    What Hilary Spurling does, in a beautifully-written book, is to relate the life [of Ivy Compton-Burnett] intimately to the work and show in fascinating details, and with wonderful perception, how her subjects characters mirror aspects of her own nature. The book sends one back to read or re-read the novels - unfashionable, toweringly original tragic-comedies - the most individual novels, it may be, of our time. The Good Book GuideAtrue classic of the genre. The TimesA biographical triumph Hilary Spurlings portrait - elegant, stylist, witty, tender, immensely acute -dazzles and exhilarates. Literary Review