Calendar Boy

Ian C. Nelson is librarian emeritus and former Assistant Director of
Libraries (Collection Management & Budget) University of Saskatchewan
Library and Dramaturge for the Festival de la Dramaturgie des Prairies.

Vancouver-born Andy Quan, who now resides in Australia, was co-editor of
Swallowing Clouds, Canada’s first anthology of Chinese-Canadian
poetry. Some of the short stories in Calendar Boy have appeared in
several anthologies of contemporary gay writing.

Unlike many collections of gay writing that emphasize the sweaty and
pneumatic, Calendar Boy entrances with a fresh perspective bordering on
innocent discovery. And yet these tales (many are about coming of age
and coming out) are wise and delve deeply into the mysteries of sex and
relationships. One story muses on the comforts or discomforts of sleep,
clothed or not, with or without a partner. Another story touches on the
assumption of gay language in a style of such limpid clarity that it
could take the place of bookshelves full of tomes on sociolinguistics.

Throughout the volume, Quan uses his own heritage to brilliant
advantage to lead the reader into viewing his own world from a new
perspective. In “Immigration,” Quan writes two parallel
stories—one about an early Chinese immigrant trying to find a
“home” and lifestyle in Canada, and the other about his gay son
similarly seeking a community where he can live and be comfortable.
Racial clichés are heard and occasionally turned inside out. Every
story in this highly recommended anthology is an insightful, seamlessly
crafted gem.