Queeries: An Anthology of Gay Male Prose

Ian C. Nelson is assistant director of libraries at the University of
Saskatchewan and director of La Troupe du Jour, Regina Summer Stage.

This anthology of prose by 25 gay male writers marks the 25th
anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. It joins a veritable parade of gay
and lesbian anthologies similarly marking the occasion. What makes this
one so special is the quality of the pieces, the energy and eloquence of
the writing, and the superb book design. It must be said that
Denisoff’s introduction, “The Fruits of Queeriosity,” comes off as
sociopolitical literary analysis that is almost a pastiche, although it
perhaps has the merit of identifying and labelling a genre he calls
“grunge writing.” Included in the volume are such expected names as
David Dakar, Sky Gilbert, Mark Kershaw, and Stan Persky. They present
themselves with imagination and vigor, as do the lesser-known writers
included in this remarkably fine anthology.