Rating: 
Summary: Thus Far, THE Great American Gay Novel
Review: This novel is an epic in every sense of the word. I forced myself to stop at 30-40 pages a day, just to savor the story and reflect on the characters. Over a period of 30+ years, the panorama of lives and events, and how they are all interrelated is breathtaking. Under no circumstances should one read the final chapter before digesting the entire book; I've never had a book affect me as much as this one, primarily because it is a series of GAY love stories, and I still get wet-eyed about the ending scene.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: This novel is breathtaking in the scope of its storyline and in its emotional impact. Seamlessly weaving together several generations of characters who represent almost every conceivable facet of gay and lesbian life, "How Long Has This Been Going On?" will prove itself durable on multiple readings and leave you feeling as if you, too, have grown up along with these unforgettable characters. Curl up, get comfortable, and love reading this book!
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Gay History, c. 1950-Now
Review: When I first finished reading this book, my reaction was simply, "Wow." Ethan Mordden manages to take five very different decades of gay history and distill them into a compelling story that shows where we've been, where we're going, and how we've changed over the years. The cast of characters is ever-changing yet constant, and his finale, in which his original 50's twink drag artiste is now the old man comforting the modern-day victim of a fag bashing is both encouraging and devastating at the same time."How Long Has This Been Going On" is that rare epic that manages to be very intimate and yet sweeping, and Mordden's keen eye for detail combined with his ability to create believeable characters makes this a real page-turner. Whether you're an old queen who grew up in the severely closeted days, a former clone from the 70's, a Cha-Cha boy who got smacked in the face with the reality of AIDS early on or a 90's always Out and Proud ACT-UPper, this book has something for you. But, beyond that, if you're straight and interested in modern gay history, this novel is the education you need. Mordden presents a panoply of diverse faces of a community, sometimes touching, sometimes pathetic, often hopeful. How long has this been going on? Forever -- and yet the stories Mordden present here are timeless. This novel is definitely a don't miss read.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Gay History, c. 1950-Now
Review: When I first finished reading this book, my reaction was simply, "Wow." Ethan Mordden manages to take five very different decades of gay history and distill them into a compelling story that shows where we've been, where we're going, and how we've changed over the years. The cast of characters is ever-changing yet constant, and his finale, in which his original 50's twink drag artiste is now the old man comforting the modern-day victim of a fag bashing is both encouraging and devastating at the same time. "How Long Has This Been Going On" is that rare epic that manages to be very intimate and yet sweeping, and Mordden's keen eye for detail combined with his ability to create believeable characters makes this a real page-turner. Whether you're an old queen who grew up in the severely closeted days, a former clone from the 70's, a Cha-Cha boy who got smacked in the face with the reality of AIDS early on or a 90's always Out and Proud ACT-UPper, this book has something for you. But, beyond that, if you're straight and interested in modern gay history, this novel is the education you need. Mordden presents a panoply of diverse faces of a community, sometimes touching, sometimes pathetic, often hopeful. How long has this been going on? Forever -- and yet the stories Mordden present here are timeless. This novel is definitely a don't miss read.
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