James Purdy (1914–2009)

This is an especially outspoken book among the author's controversial body of work. Purdy recalls that Eustace Chisholm and the Works, named one of the Publishing Triangle's 100 Best Lesbian and Gay Novels of the 20th Century, outraged the New York literary establishment. Set in a rooming-house in depression-era Chicago the novel brings a marvellous game of emotional chairs. Eustace's wife moves back in while he takes up with a man. It was my introduction to the work of James Purdy and I show more found it more liberating, in the imaginative sense, than outrageous. Perhaps because I has read so much science fiction in my teens I was ready for a book whose story is more magical than mundane. It introduced me to a contemporary world beyond my own and a style of writing that would lead me to read many more of Purdy's novels over the ensuing years. They are the sort of books you remember fondly for their intensity and imagination and they are the ones that you consider rereading to recapture some of the verve that made you feel alive as you read them. More than breaking out of the pre-Stonewall closet, however, this novel liberated its author and readers can be grateful for that. show less

Malcolm is a young man who appears on a bench outside a hotel where he’s staying in New York City. Professor Cox, the leading astrologer of his time, seems to feel this state of affairs is wrong. A teenager with no apparent history, no goals, no friends – who claims to be waiting for his father – shouldn’t be spending his days on a bench. Professor Cox provides Malcolm with “addresses” of people in the city to get him off the bench.

Malcolm meets with the various eccentric show more acquaintances of the Professor, all of whom are smitten with the young man and want to keep him for themselves. His beauty, innocence and lack of guile endear him to almost everyone. He becomes involved in their silly doings – and is sometimes the cause. Eventually things turn dark for Malcolm and his innocence is incrementally lost. This is a humorous and sad book, touching and filled with absurdity. show less

This is an idiosyncratic and flamboyant tale of pre-Stonewall bohemian New York City. I delighted in the diverse characters that could only have come from the pen of the author of Malcolm and Eustace Chisholm.

I love James Purdy. This book features the only detailed description of a pre-Roe v. Wade abortion I think I've ever read and it is somehow disgusting, scary and really beautiful. Also features the horrifying, evil gag of a mother responding to her daughter's first period with fake shock, saying she's never heard of such a thing.