Rob’s Comments (group member since Nov 20, 2008)

Rob’s comments from the LGBTQA Group Books group.

Sorry for the violation of the rules. It looks like I need to read them again. I'll delete my book suggestions for now as I'm not sure which of the two to recommend.

One big difference between Charles and Will is how they connect with people. Will has no feelings for people other than sexual, and Charles shows he cares in his relationships.

Charles won't implicate closeted Colin by releasing the drawings to Will (which will help clear James). Do you think Will can come through for James and publicly say he had sex with Colin? Maybe Charles wants Will to stand up and not take his status for granted. Can Will do this I wonder? Risk public exposure? He seems more concerned about the loss of Phil to Bill at the end of the novel than James' situation.

What's going to happen to Will when AIDS starts? Maybe this is why it's the last summer of its kind that Will mentions in Chapter 1. His world is changing. Do you think he can adjust to a more conservative sexual lifestyle or is it going to be impossible? Is it possible for Will to have feelings for people and be in a relationship?

So many revelations from Charles and the diary. The first page of the book makes more sense now when Will talks about transport maintenance men working in the Underground and, "how their occupation depended on our travel." Will's grandfather earned his status (occupation) by prosecuting Charles for being gay (our travel).

How did you like the scene where Will comforts James after being arrested? Will says, "I kissed away the tears..I found him very slightly repellent." (page 257). I wasn't surprised that James turned down sex with Will. He knows the attraction he has to Will is not reciprocated.

Colin! Turns in James but not Will. How does that make James feel? I liked how Will is trying to frame Colin.

Interesting that Will can have partners on the side but Phil can't. Will's surprise encounter with Arthur showed intensity. Perhaps the feelings he has for Arthur go beyond sex.

So much hurt and pain in many lives, over many years, for being gay. Now Will knows his family's position is built on gay persecution.

Regarding The Mayor of Castro Street, I see the lowest price on Amazon for a used copy is $10.54 without shipping. Did anyone find a better deal? Thanks--Rob

I revisited the fight scene today because I kept thinking I missed something. It had to do with the novel, The Flower Beneath the Foot, which Will had with him when he was beaten (page 204). He reads the words, "perhaps I might find Harold," during a break in the fight. I remember now that Harold is the name of Arthur's brother too (from Chapter 1). What do you make of it? Is Harold behind the beating? Maybe the beating was about Will being gay after all and his relationship with Arthur?

Chapters 7-8. I'm seeing Will as having sexual addiction the more I read.

"When one is beyond love, where does pleasure lie?" "Was there ever an end to it, this irresistible, normal, subnormal craving for sex?"

Will is growing tired of Phil because he lacks Arthur's, "instinct for sex." He enters Arthur's world in search of him and gets severely beaten. For a man who is all about physical looks, this is difficult on the psyche to not look his best.

I'm wondering if this will somehow change him or if he'll return to his normal ways once healed. The assault I see more against his social standing than about being gay.

If Phil knew why Will was in the neighborhood where he was beaten, would that change how he felt about Will? I think so.

I think James had to grow up faster because he's not in the same social class as Will. It's an interesting friendship. I remember Will saying earlier that James did not have sexual appeal. We never hear about James' conquests. I see James having an unspoken romantic interest in Will.

Hi Troy! I'm glad you're back on-line and look forward to reading your thoughts about Swimming Pool Library. With the holidays, I got behind in my reading too. Regarding the new selection, I won't be able to volunteer. Our Hawaii library system does not have a copy of Mayor of Castro Street in its collection. I ordered a copy but it won't be here until late January or early February. Good luck with your next semester/quarter at college. Aloha from Rob

Chapter 6. Charles' diary reveals he was a young man with Will's sexual appetite. He wrote, "there is nothing worse than making a bid for someone's body and getting their soul instead."

I find a lot of the diary not that interesting. Maybe it's there just to show that pre-AIDS youth hasn't changed much over time.

The Limehouse reminded me of a wrestling match where men can go and look at other men without anyone taking notice. I wonder why Charles didn't tell Will that Shillibeer is actually Bill from the Corry.

The trio of Grandfather, Will and James at the opera shows an interesting mix of personalities and things left unsaid. Will is reluctant to adapt to the old ways like his Grandfather and James.

Oh, I almost forgot the scene where Will is rejected by someone younger than him who wants money for sex. I was surprised that Will was even was looking after being with Phil earlier in the night.

Thanks, James. I wonder if the Corry will someday end up like Charles' Roman Bath. Perhaps Charles wants to "hand the keys over" to Will and that's why Lewis is jealous. Regarding age, I think the fact James is a doctor made me think he's older. I was wrong. After going back to the first chapter, I see that Will mentions they were undergraduates together.

Chapter 4/5: I liked the bedroom scene between Phil and Will. Not a casual pick-up. Intense with feeling. Regarding Charles, I'm sure there's some meaning there about his house located above a former Roman Bath. What do you think? It's great that Will starts seeing Charles as more than an old man. What's up with Charles' butler? How do you explain the friendship between Charles and Will? I'm wondering too how old James is compared to Will. Maybe in his 30's or 40's?

Chapter 3 hooked me on the book. I was about ready to give it up. Now I want to see what happens to Will. This chapter showed some different sides of Will; especially dealing with the young Rupert. There's also a lot of conflict as Will sorts out his relationship with Arthur. He doesn't even want James to know what's going on. Do you think Phil was at the theater or someone else?

I remember what it was like as a young man in the late '70's and early 80's (a few years back) and going to baths sometimes. I think the author captured the mood right. Back in my 20's I thought men in their 50's (or older) were ancient. Youth and appearance ruled. I wonder if Will thinks he'll end up like Lord Nantwich in later years. James seems like the only person that Will respects.

I finished the first chapter. So far not a favorite. Several things stood out. William is rich and lost. His new guy Arthur seems like a play toy. He describes a 50 year old as decrepit. (What?? I'm 51 lol) People are judged by their appearance. Maybe that's youth, I'm trying to remember. There's a fascination with underground life, from the first several paragraphs about men working in tunnels to the location of the swimming pool in the basement of the Corry. I'm interested when he says, "(it's)...the last summer of its kind there was ever to be." On to Chapter 2.

I received the book in today's mail! It made a fast journey across the Pacific. I'll start reading in the next few days.