Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 17:03:50 -0500 (EST)
From: Jon Beasley-Murray <jpb8-AT-acpub.duke.edu>
Subject: Re: political novels etc.


Sadly, I haven't read too many lately...

But, and on the general Latin American theme that seems to have taken 
this forum recently, I did just read Silviano Santiago's _Stella 
Manhattan_, which I would like to recommend highly.  A good read, but 
also extremely interesting on the intertwining of sexuality and 
politics.  

It's set in the late 60s, and the main character is a gay Brazilian,
Eduardo (who's alter ego is Stella) forced into exile to New York (by his
parents) as a result of the "shame" of his homosexuality.  His patron and
benefactor in New York is a Brazilian colonel associated with the military
regime (and with torture etc. in Brazil) who is a closet gay S/M
afficionado in New York.  A pal of Eduardo/Stella's from university comes 
up to the US as part of a revolutionary group intent, among other things, 
on blackmailing the colonel.

Eduardo/Stella himself is caught between the various politics of 
sexuality, the body, discourse, and "orthodox" political commitment and 
between various forms and notions of community and friendship (national 
identiy, sexual identity, class identity...).

Otherwise I hear that _Landscape for a good Woman_ is great.  I forget who 
it's by (any offers?  Caroline...).  And when it comes to films, I just 
saw (again) Terence Davies' _Distant Voices, Still Lives_, which is 
simply amazing.

Take care

Jon

Jon Beasley-Murray
Literature Program
Duke University
jpb8-AT-acpub.duke.edu
http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/~spoons


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