While I appreciate the intelligence of Reckling's reviews, to me there's too much of a 21st century 'queer' sensibility trying to impose on those of us - perhaps from older generations.... who may have found a non-'queer', while still authentic, path in life. We too, are who we are. And whilst I'd agree Jim basically descends into madness for the novel's conclusion (either version), his path along the way is not unrecognizable and not altogether unattractive or unsympathetic. He was a resourceful survivor, and at least at one stage he was motivated by a romatic ideal. One wonders, had the book been written in 1959 or 1969, would the ending have been the same. Was it perhaps 'necessary' at that time - I think here of Jackson's The Fall of Valor; "we simply must have devestation - 'those' people cannot walk off into the sunset" (sayeth the publishers).

That’s very interesting and informative video! I didn’t know that in the previous edition Jim killed Bob. In my opinion Vidal portrayed negative side of the gay men community in 40’s instead of perspective of a „everyday normal gay”. However, he has done it accurately and to this day one is able to find a gay man that is desperate or treats other members of the queer community poorly. To me this book lacked a positive character. Vidal emphasised negative stereotypes, but left readers with a feeling that this community is utterly immoral. I guess that Paul could have been an amazing example of self-conscious, evolved gay man who came back from his military service and settled down. Jim’s superiority complex was very prominent and his thoughtless mind drove me crazy 😅

Having read more positive and forgiving vintage queer books, I can pretty confidently say that Jim’s shortcomings are reflective of the attitudes and shortcomings of Vidal. I don’t think Vidal wrote this book with “good intentions.” I think this book is in part a snapshot of Vidal’s prejudices and self hatred. That said, Vidal WAS intelligent and some of the poignant and thoughtful moments in this book were really interesting and enjoyable. The last two chapters of this book were mortifying. I still enjoyed this book even though I thought Jim was cruel and selfish most of the time.

Fantastic video essay ! I really loved it. I finished the book today, and I kinda love how terrible everyone was in. It kinda played up what toxic masculinity, internalised homophobia and fearing being outed can do to a community. I do wish however we got a brief glimpse into people who lived a happy queer life just to juxtapose with these terrible men doing terrible things to each other. I will say Vidal did succeed in capturing that queer men were just normal men, I think it seems that normal men of that era were also just absolutely horrendous hahah

You know, Dustin, Vidal was only 21 when he wrote TCATP, and homosexuals were marginalized beyond belief in 1948. To take hold of the book and peer at it with the lens of your 21st century queer-sensibility is to completely blind yourself to whatever intrinsic merits the book may have. You're like the latter day feminists who dismiss Shakespeare because, in their opinion, he's a "misogynist," and so he has nothing, really, to teach us about the human condition. That's just nuts. Incidentally, have you read anything else by Vidal? He created the first transsexual in literature ("Orlando" doesn't count; there was no operation) in his novels "Myra Breckinridge" and its sequel, "Myron," both of which are hilariously funny and campy and full of "gay sensibility." With his character Myron he lampoons the very idea of what you declare to be his authorial prejudice in TCATP: that straight-acting, heteronormative gay men are somehow superior to queens. No one is superior to "Myra." Incidentally again, I love the posters you have of the film "Another Country." I saw it when it first came out and thought it was wonderful. I think it's the first film appearance of that Princess Bride actor (Cary Elwes?) who here looks very young and ravishingly beautiful, as does Rupert Everett.

Enjoyed your thoughts on this... well done!

Love these videos.