Foolish Hearts - New Gay Fiction

Valentine's Day may have been almost a month ago, but we don't need a holiday on the calendar to celebrate romance. In the tender short story collection "Foolish Hearts," editors Timothy J. Lambert and R. D. Cochrane have compiled seventeen heartfelt tales from our favorite authors, as well as a few newcomers to the gay lit scene, that will excite, amuse and inspire readers, any time throughout the year.

Love comes in many forms, often when we least expect it and in the oddest of places. These authors examine romantic love as a fond memory, an unrecognizable force, something to strive for, an unattainable goal, and perhaps not surprisingly, given our community's recent advances in the political climate, the culmination of marriage. Anyone who has had so much as a crush will treasure several -- if not all -- of the entries in this anthology, or at least appreciate one that will assuredly bring a smile to your face.

Weddings are certainly a resounding theme, most originally in Tony Calvert's terribly clever "Hello Aloha," where the narrator, Jordan, having recently broken up with someone, has to endure the Disney-themed wedding of his friends Chad and Martin. The event turns out better than expected when Jordan becomes smitten with Goofy, or rather the park employee dressed as the animated character, who steals his heart without having to say much at all.

Best man Peter and maid of honor Natalie ponder middle age and loneliness while in Provincetown for the wedding of Brian and Jason, in David Puterbaugh's cagey "How to be Single at a Wedding." A long term couple from Mexico, Osvaldo and Daniel, escape the confines of their ranch to elope in Mexico City and discover there are countless others just like them in the touching "Victoria" by Erik Orrantia.

The narrator of "On These Sheets," Steven Reign's brief albeit profound entry, isn't quite ready to marry Timothy, his boyfriend of eight months, yet somehow knows he'll be around for a while. Nathan Burgoine introduces Chris and Liam, two mall employees, who are adorably "Struck" by Cupid's arrow, courtesy of a uniquely gifted blogger, Lightning Todd. Another budding romance is at the center of Mark G. Harris's earnest "The Green Sweater," where party guests Doug and Jay discover they were meant for each other.

Between the matrimony and matchmaking there is still plenty of flirting and frivolity to feast upon. After an anonymous encounter, Matthias can't seem to get a particular stranger out of his mind in Paul Lisicky's rousing "Nude Beach." Sex and drugs are at the forefront of Felice Picano's fierce "New Kid In Town: 1977," where Vic has mixed feelings about the Hollywood party scene. Meanwhile, the alluring "Meditation" proves to be anything but relaxing when Timothy J. Lambert's narrator becomes preoccupied with a fellow participant, whom he refers to a Corn-Fed Guy.

I feel compelled to call attention to Andrew Holleran's oddly fascinating, noteworthy and arguably semi-autobiographical "Symposium," which follows two authors of a certain age who are holed up at a Fort Lauderdale gay guest house, waxing philosophic on such topics as sex without sentiment and the state of gay literature and publishing.

The stories of "Foolish Hearts" are engaging, provocative, relatable, and, therefore, readable. Whether you're looking for love or unsure about your current relationship and its status, this anthology serves as both worthwhile entertainment and a guidebook for renewing your faith in romance.

"Foolish Hearts: New Gay Fiction"
Edited by Timothy J. Lambert and R. D. Cochrane
Cleis Press
$15.95