Out In Town

On Picking Fruit @ Gay Middle Age

As a HIV+ gay male, I couldn’t avoid feeling a natural connection with Curtis, the main Character of Arthur Wooten’s novel: On Picking Fruit. Curtis at 45 and HIV+ is still in search for his Mr. Right. However, there seem to be a lot of other issues – in his subconscious – for his inability to make a relationship last or to pick a “descent” man for that matter. In a hilarious tone, Arthur presents Curtis life, as well as, his sad and sometimes humiliating instances when he finds himself on a date. Curtis’ insecurities and flaws are so well described that one cannot help but to relate to this man’s drama. His psychologist brings him forward, or rather forces him to face certain parts of his life that he has been avoiding since childhood. His eccentric mother and best friend add a true “you-cannot-make-this-shit-up” flavor to the story.

This is not the first time I hear about single middle-aged gay men and their difficulties in the area of love. Many give up. Many, who can afford it, find it better to pay for someone’s “company.” At times I just do not know what to think. In all honesty, at times it is hard to not pass judgment on them. At “twenty-something” this is a very trivial and sometimes alien concept. Thus, I’m glad that these kinds of books are being written and available for young men like me to sort of understand and better prepare for the future. Despite the common knowledge that youth is fleeting, I know many who do not think so, or rather prefer to not think about it at all. If people’s honest tales of their adventures, mistakes and triumphs – as the ones this book claims to be based on – can help others at least be aware of the purposely avoided concept of gay aging, we should be grateful and embrace such works.

This book was funny, touching, but above all it was a window into a world that is only a couple of years (about 20) ahead of my time.

posted by Guerrero Azteca @ 4:52 PM