Rough Stuff, yet another collection of short stories, continues to support my recent observation that the short story is indeed the core genre of the male gay community. Having historically disliked the form, I have come to believe that these tightly written little slices of gay life reflect how we are, how we function, as gay men.
Rough Stuff is no exception to my thinking. These stories are really good; a couple are even excellent, albeit not delightful reading for everyone. The stories vary from the gleeful “sanitized” sadomasochism of “Tom of Finland” art through the genuinely violent (but consensual). Let’s not confuse things here…none of these snippets of S/M activity is criminal; they reflect rough fantasy but with willing participants.
As in any sub-group there are degrees of participation. Some stories crossed beyond my comfort zone, yet I did not move on or skip them. There is something hypnotic here, a fascination which attracts me to what I find frightening, even repulsive. Lest you dismiss these feelings as kinky or abnormal, remember that people worldwide are attracted to such things gathering around fatal car crashes, maimed construction workers, and bleeding sports figures. This phenomenon may in fact be a mammalian trait. Monkeys, even house pets like dogs and cats, exhibit “pain attraction”.
The story “The Endurance Game” is for me a difficult work. I found it uncomfortably riveting. Told through a series of memoranda and reports to the Secretary of the Navy, the narrative moves with gore and a little horror toward the conclusion that S/M activity might best be incorporated into some of the elite military branches. The premise is that some soldiers voluntarily submit to torture contests off-base in which two players, following very clearly spelled-out rules, allow themselves to be hurt badly. Broken bones and dislocations are the mark of the “winner”. This stuff is not for the faint hearted. It does give new meaning to the word “macho”.
“Immigrant” is a well-conceived, polished work which deals with a mature leather guy and his relationship to family and lifestyle. The characters evoke interesting emotions since they are built around Hansel and Gretel (as adults) and the wicked witch. In this slice of leather life, Hansel, gay, active, rough, and affluent, supports his mother in a nursing home. His sister, Gretel, expresses moderate adjustment and insight into her past abuse by “mom” the wicked witch. Hansel pays the bills but does not, cannot, deal with his feelings, his past, his hurt, and the abuse he received in childhood. The story is set in the last days preceding the death of the wicked witch. Powerful stuff! Hansel’s sexuality is almost gentle-rough in comparison to the emotional turmoil with which he deals.
“Dirty Pictures” is an enjoyable romp on the fun side of rough. Told by a garbage collector narrator in New York City, the plot is both plausible and realistic. Garbage guy finds a bunch of Polaroid’s of nude bound men taken without showing faces. Becoming obsessed with his find he returns to the apartment building, figures out which apartment disposed of the photos, and climbs up the fire escape to see what he can see. Of course he is caught, ordered inside, and play-forced to participate in the current round of fun and games. The story has a sort of appeal. The plot is realistic and creates a fantasy with which a fair number of us can identify.
I liked this collection. It was both homoerotic and disturbing. It also showed me where my limits are. Some stories were “fun,” some “hot,” several were horrible. Should you read this? It depends on your tastes. If S/M stuff interests you give it a shot. If not, stay away.