First published 1981
Arnold Beckoff takes the stage as a Jewish drag queen in late 1970s New York City, singing torch songs while nursing his wounds from failed romance. He opens his heart with brutal honesty about his cynical view of love, then plunges into three distinct chapters of his life. First, he becomes involved with Ed, a man who struggles with his own bisexuality and cannot fully commit. A year later, Arnold finds happiness with Alan, and together they plan to adopt a child and build a family. Their dreams shatter when tragedy destroys their future. Years pass, and Arnold raises David, a gay teenager, as a single father. When his mother visits from Florida, Arnold must confront her intolerance and lack of respect for his choices and his family. Through heartbreak and hope, Arnold fights for acceptance and the right to love on his own terms.
Genres: fiction, drama, romance, literary-fiction, lgbt, gay-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
Setting: New York City
Period: 1970s
173 pages · Paperback · Gay Presses of New York
Content warnings: homophobia, racism