In witty, bitchy letters passing between London and San Diego, two gay men who are intimate friends discuss their adventures and desires. Francis, a visiting professor of literature in California, and Jeremy, Director of British National Opera, conduct their correspondence over one year on the cusp of the 90's. Both are admirers of 'bears': chunky, hairy men. In a Britain racked by a political crisis, Margaret Thatcher's power begins to totter. Interwoven between the letters are autobiographical sketches written by Jonathan, a young protege of Jeremy's, which tell the story of growing up gay and Jewish in the North of England and coming out in the more innocent London of the late 70's and 80's. Which of these 3 characters, as if drawn from 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses', will survive into the last decade of the twentieth century?
In her brilliant introduction to this second edition, Professor Jane Spiro (Oxford Brookes University) writes: "We could read this as a picaresque story of sexual encounters, the way desire brings people together and flings them apart with breathtaking speed. But on closer reading... the hero of the story is, in fact, the 'enduring love' of true friendship."
Praise for 'Addictions', first edition, published 2,000.
Laurence Brown's intriguing novel "Addictions" is both an exercise in form and a hearty look at the conventions of literature - especially gay literature... With wit, insight, and precision, Brown manages to dismantle these clichés before our eyes... In the end, it turns out that all these characters have been inhabiting a farce - and a Shakespearian one at that. Delightful." - Sebastian Beaumont in Gay Times, April 2001.
We suggest you get stuck into 'Addictions, ' the new novel by Laurence Brown. This witty portrait of gay life in Margaret Thatcher's Britain is told through the (often bitchy) correspondence of two highly-sexed gays, Francis and Jeremy, which, as you can imagine, had us in stitches (perhaps some of it hit home...?) - BOYZ, 19.12.00
"I loved it, it's full of good things; full of notes and chords which chime and resonate. I am particularly fond of Baillie and his "Sketches"- like a brief history of our past. And Francis and Jeremy - complex and brave, bitchy and true. (A picture of a friendship, beautifully handled.)... O God, has there been an Anthony in all our lives? Many congratulations. I hope the book sells well, I'm sure it will... Delicious and sad, sexy and civilized." - William Corlett to the author, 16.12.00, author of "Now and then," etc.
"...an hilarious, but poignant comedy of errors, which brings all the main characters and their diverse backgrounds together in a delightful, well-written meaty novel. Deserves to be read." - G-Scene, Brighton.
"...Baillie was lovely. I know nothing of Jewish life... But so much of the rest of his experience - the North, London, and 70s and 80s gay London - was my own and I found it very well done... I even had the odd moistening of the eye." - Dr. David Starkey, historian, to the author.
Just the thing to take on holiday. - www.Rainbownetwork.com
"...really enjoyed it. Very ambitious and rich." - Professor Jeffrey Weeks, author of "Sexuality and its Discontents," to the author.
