Upon a Midnight Clear: Queer Christmas Tales

Rating:
Summary: 15 short stories - you will find something you like!
Review: In his introduction to this short story collection, Greg Herren points out that gay people often feel left out during the holiday season. Either we are heading back to fanily gatherings (which may be equal parts annoyance and comfort), or we may be left alone because our friends or partners are leaving to do so. It's a very family oriented holiday, one to which our extended "families" often have problems adapting. And there really aren't any purely-gay Christmas stories ... until now.

"Upon A Midnight Clear" is a collection of 15 holiday-themed stories by an impressive list of gay fiction authors, including Jim Grimsley and, Felice Picano. The length of each story ranges from 5-34 pages, and they are too numerous to review individually here. Just be aware that some are rather dark, and may not do much to brighten a lack of "holiday spirit," except perhaps to let you know you're not alone.

Especially noteworthy:
"It's A Life" by M Christiansen is a creative ten page remake of the final scenes of the holiday classic "It's A Wonderful Life", with George Bailey the president of the Castro (San Francisco gay area) Merchants Association.
"Skating" by Stephen Soucy tells of a ghost who appears to his grieving partner, to help him get on with his life.
".. a very special Christmas" by Kevin Allman points out that many of our best Christmas memories have to do with the corny Christmas specials we saw on TV during our childhood, including the campy "Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special" (which, coincidentally, is being released for the first time on DVD next month).
Jay Quinn's "Our Family Things" realistically explores the feelings surrounding the breakup of a gay couple together for many years.
"The Snow Queen" by Quentin Harrington is a spooky tale about a mysterious stranger who captures and imprisons guys he picks up at gay bars.