The Language We Use up Here and Other Stories

by Philip Gambone

This collection of stories about gay men, who are successful teachers, lawyers, managers, and college students, revolves around their search for affection, companionship, and spiritual satisfaction

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, LGBT

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1991

Reviews

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years from now if historians and sociologists try to get insight into the lives of gay men in the Boston area from the 1980s and 1990s, they would do well to start with these excellent short stories from Philip Gambone. Focusing mostly on gay men of the creative class, Gambone's stories in "The Language We Use Up Here" have aged well from that pre Internet dating, pre same sex marriage era. Characters are sharply observed often with welcome humor. Favorite story: "Babushkas." For a worthwhile comparison see J. G. Hayes' grittier take on South Boston working class gay men in "This Thing Called Courage." Both books are sadly out of print, but may be available at your public library or by interlibrary loan. Recommended.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine collection of stories set in and around gay life in Boston in the 1980s and very early 90s (the book was published in 1991 and when I purchased my second hand hardback copy I was overwhelmed by the book's production - one tends to forget how well made and good looking books used to be). Of course this was a world that is pre internet, pre same sex marriage, it was probably pre universal cell phone use. It is the world I grew up into but the themes and concerns of the stories are still true - and any lack of 'relevance' seems hardly relevant - good writing and story telling lives beyond up-to-date technical details.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book twice - once fifteen years ago and again this week. It has aged well. The gay protagonists could be engaged in their introspective activities today as well as in 1991 when the book was published. The geographical range is limited (almost all activity takes place in Greater Boston) and the social sphere is pretty limited as well - to early middle-aged (thirties and forties) gay middle-class and upper-middle class men. And they all present their neuroses and their relationship difficulties in a similar fashion. To me this became a little tiresome - too many of them lacked the ability to look very far beyond their own attitudes. And that's what the stories were all about - their attitudes to themselves, to gay life, to their "circle" of friends, their families, the wider society. I would say that the underlying theme is that, yes, we all want lovers and satisfying sex lives, but the basic need is community - and the characters in these stories struggle to incorporate that into their lives.

[ProfeSancho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just re-read this 1991 release in anticipation of starting Gambone's 2024 short story collection, Zigzag. The stories here mostly hold up well after 30+ years, despite how many aspects of urban gay life have changed since 1991, starting with same-sex marriage. This is perceptive, nuanced writing.