Boys Like Us

by Peter McGehee, Raymond-Jean Frontain (Foreword by), Fiji Robinson (Introduction)

Overview

Boys Like Us Trilogy, Book 1 - Peter McGehee's debut novel is a rompish, bed-hopping affair - a modern comedy of manners - in which our twentysomething protagonist, Zero MacNoo performs all the rituals - sexual, familial, and grievous - required of urban gay males in the early 1990s. It is a remarkable comedy about life, love, and friendship in the age of AIDS.

Zero, an Arkansas expat who has swapped out Little Rock for the cool contemporary tones of Toronto gay life, is perplexed by the curveballs of fate. His best friend has been diagnosed with AIDS; Zero is frantic to organize a circle of support. And when Arkansas also calls, it's to support his mother's second marriage and confrontations with the zany array of crazed Southerners he calls family ensue.

Funny, bittersweet, outrageous, and moving, Zero's adventures make up the first part of Boys Like Us trilogy. This new edition is accompanied by introductions from Dr Raymond-Jean Frontain and long-time collaborator Fiji Robinson.

"An utterly delightful book. I enjoyed every word of it!" - Quentin Crisp

"... a gem of a novel. Boys Like Us is funny, sexy, tender, and touching - often in the same sentence." - Larry Duplechan

"As it celebrates the strength and staying power of gay friendships, Peter McGehee's Boys Like Us goes out of its way to show you a good time - and you won't hate yourself in the morning." - New York Native

"Boys Like Us is an affable, enjoyable story ... McGehee has the ability, through an ingratiating style and witty observations, to transform Zero's everyday life into something we care about." - Michael Bronski

"Accomplishes what may seem impossible: a humorous romp in the face of widespread death." - Library Journal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781951092726
Publisher:	Requeered Tales
Publication date:	09/20/2022
Series:	Boys Like Us Trilogy , #1
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Peter McGehee (1955-1991) was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and grew up in Little Rock. He studied at Southern Methodist University in Dallas before moving to San Francisco to work in theatre. While living in San Francisco, he wrote his first play and first comedic musical revue The Quinlan Sisters, and later met Canadian activist Doug Wilson, who became his life-partner.He moved to Saskatoon, Canada, in 1980 to be with Wilson, and subsequently the couple moved to Toronto in 1982. Facing potential deportation because of his citizenship status, McGehee briefly moved to New York in 1984, returning to Toronto by 1986. He published his first novella, Beyond Happiness, in 1985, and premiered his second revue, The Fabulous Sirs, in 1987. In 1988, McGehee and Wilson were both diagnosed HIV-positive.McGehee also wrote two novels, Boys Like Us and Sweetheart, and a book of short stories, The I.Q. Zoo. Boys Like Us was published in 1991, shortly before McGehee's death of AIDS-related causes; Sweetheart and The I.Q. Zoo were published posthumously. The novels focused on the life of Zero MacNoo, a character who much like McGehee himself was an American living in Toronto, and his family and circle of friends. Inspired by brief notes that McGehee had written in preparation for his third novel, Wilson subsequently wrote Labour of Love before his own death in 1992.

Raymond-Jean Frontain is an independent scholar who has published eight books and over 100 scholarly articles on the Bible as literature, gay literature, Renaissance poetry, the Indian novel, and modern drama. He recently retired as Professor of English and Director, Humanities and World Cultures Institute, University of Central Arkansas.

Fiji Robinson has a rich background in performance, film production and communications. She first sang and toured with Peter McGehee in his a cappella trio The Quinlan Sisters, a musical revue of social, political, and sexual satire. They later reunited for McGehee's a cappella duo The Fabulous Sirs. Fiji currently resides in Saskatoon.

What People are Saying About This

Quentin Crisp

An utterly delightful book. I enjoyed every word of it!

Michael Bronski

McGehee has the ability, through an ingratiating style and witty observations, to transform Zero's everyday life into something we care about.