LGBTQA Group Books discussion

6-8

Chapter 6. Charles' diary reveals he was a young man with Will's sexual appetite. He wrote, "there is nothing worse than making a bid for someone's body and getting their soul instead."

I find a lot of the diary not that interesting. Maybe it's there just to show that pre-AIDS youth hasn't changed much over time.

The Limehouse reminded me of a wrestling match where men can go and look at other men without anyone taking notice. I wonder why Charles didn't tell Will that Shillibeer is actually Bill from the Corry.

The trio of Grandfather, Will and James at the opera shows an interesting mix of personalities and things left unsaid. Will is reluctant to adapt to the old ways like his Grandfather and James.

Oh, I almost forgot the scene where Will is rejected by someone younger than him who wants money for sex. I was surprised that Will was even was looking after being with Phil earlier in the night.

Chapters 7-8. I'm seeing Will as having sexual addiction the more I read.

"When one is beyond love, where does pleasure lie?" "Was there ever an end to it, this irresistible, normal, subnormal craving for sex?"

Will is growing tired of Phil because he lacks Arthur's, "instinct for sex." He enters Arthur's world in search of him and gets severely beaten. For a man who is all about physical looks, this is difficult on the psyche to not look his best.

I'm wondering if this will somehow change him or if he'll return to his normal ways once healed. The assault I see more against his social standing than about being gay.

If Phil knew why Will was in the neighborhood where he was beaten, would that change how he felt about Will? I think so.

I revisited the fight scene today because I kept thinking I missed something. It had to do with the novel, The Flower Beneath the Foot, which Will had with him when he was beaten (page 204). He reads the words, "perhaps I might find Harold," during a break in the fight. I remember now that Harold is the name of Arthur's brother too (from Chapter 1). What do you make of it? Is Harold behind the beating? Maybe the beating was about Will being gay after all and his relationship with Arthur?