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The Good Life: A Novel
Perry Langham meets and marries Bettina, the daughter of his lover, and together they enjoy a lifestyle full of parties and travel, but when Bettina learns of the true relationship between Perry and her father, murder intervenes
416 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
21 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Merrick
20 books88 followersSon of a stockbroker, Merrick studied French Literature at Princeton before becoming an actor on Broadway. Prior to WWII he landed a role in Kaufman & Hart's The Man Who Came to Dinner and even became Hart's lover for a time. Due to a hearing problem he had a draft deferrment but served in the O.S.S. rising to the rank of Captain for his service in France. His first novel, The Strumpet Wind (1947), told of an American spy in France during WWII. "I have not imagined the world in which these people lived," he wrote.
Besides appearing on Broadway, he worked as a reporter on many newspapers. He also contributed book reviews and articles to The New Republic, Ikonos and other periodicals. In all, Merrick wrote 13 books, but it was his specialized novels that dealt with gay issues which became best-sellers. Merrick's works are rarely included in anthologies, and few discussions of American gay authors mention him. Some dismiss Merrick because of his obvious romanticism; others do so because he sprinkles explicit sex scenes in these later novels.
Merrick examines the likelihood of self-actualization, identity politics and the role that power plays in relationships. He rejected socially-imposed roles and labels, insisting that each gay person question the assumptions underlying their life. Gordon Merrick broke new ground that has only recently become fertile. Deeper probing into Merrick's works will undoubtedly yield richer understandings of the complex social dynamics that construct networks of control over human sexuality.
Besides appearing on Broadway, he worked as a reporter on many newspapers. He also contributed book reviews and articles to The New Republic, Ikonos and other periodicals. In all, Merrick wrote 13 books, but it was his specialized novels that dealt with gay issues which became best-sellers. Merrick's works are rarely included in anthologies, and few discussions of American gay authors mention him. Some dismiss Merrick because of his obvious romanticism; others do so because he sprinkles explicit sex scenes in these later novels.
Merrick examines the likelihood of self-actualization, identity politics and the role that power plays in relationships. He rejected socially-imposed roles and labels, insisting that each gay person question the assumptions underlying their life. Gordon Merrick broke new ground that has only recently become fertile. Deeper probing into Merrick's works will undoubtedly yield richer understandings of the complex social dynamics that construct networks of control over human sexuality.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 22, 2014
During the 70s and 80s, Gordon Merrick wrote big, fat gay romance novels along the lines of Rosemary Rogers and Jacqueline Susann. He died in 1988, shortly after his last novel, A MEASURE OF MADNESS, was released.
Almost a decade later, there was a brand new Merrick novel (completed by his long time partner and fellow author Charles (TALL COTTON) Hulse) that was started before the prolific author died. Unlike his other novels, this one is actually based on a true incident: a high society murder in Manhattan in 1943. In his foreward, Merrick notes that he knew the bisexual socialite Wayne Lonergan who was charged with murdering his heiress young bride. Merrick has changed his character's name to Perry Langham and all bets are off as to what is fiction and what is fact.
At 403 densely-packed pages, this novel is almost too much of a good thing. Everything is so over-the-top (from Perry's massive endowment to the sex scenes that pop up every five pages) that reading THE GOOD LIFE is like eating a box of bon-bons. It's best to try not to eat...er, read, it all in one gulp. Unfortunately, Merrick and Hulse have written one fast read. You can't help but keep reading.
Merrick fans will be happy to hear that THE GOOD LIFE is a worthy addition to the late author's canon. And maybe this new title will introduce new readers to the gay novels that broke their way onto the New York Times bestseller list back in the early 70s.
Almost a decade later, there was a brand new Merrick novel (completed by his long time partner and fellow author Charles (TALL COTTON) Hulse) that was started before the prolific author died. Unlike his other novels, this one is actually based on a true incident: a high society murder in Manhattan in 1943. In his foreward, Merrick notes that he knew the bisexual socialite Wayne Lonergan who was charged with murdering his heiress young bride. Merrick has changed his character's name to Perry Langham and all bets are off as to what is fiction and what is fact.
At 403 densely-packed pages, this novel is almost too much of a good thing. Everything is so over-the-top (from Perry's massive endowment to the sex scenes that pop up every five pages) that reading THE GOOD LIFE is like eating a box of bon-bons. It's best to try not to eat...er, read, it all in one gulp. Unfortunately, Merrick and Hulse have written one fast read. You can't help but keep reading.
Merrick fans will be happy to hear that THE GOOD LIFE is a worthy addition to the late author's canon. And maybe this new title will introduce new readers to the gay novels that broke their way onto the New York Times bestseller list back in the early 70s.
October 30, 2021
This was a posthumously published book based on the sensation Wayne Lonergan-Patricia Burton murder case of 1943. Merrick died before the book was published and it was completed by his long term companion Charles Hulse. It pretty much sticks closely to the details of the case but changes the details Lonergan AKA Perry Latham's early years. The sex scenes are mostly heterosexual with some gay scenes in the beginning and in the middle with an insidious crew member on a yacht. I enjoyed this book but it clearly favors of Lonergan/Latham, who comes across as a graciously appreciative call boy while the Patricia/Bettina character does a complete reversal from an adventurous teenager to a promiscuous harpy. I recommend this book to all the fans of Gordon Merrick's books..
July 18, 2023
Yeah - I enjoyed it for the lurid, outrageous story.
Yeah - I enjoyed it for the explicit, gratuitous sex.
Yeah - I enjoyed it for being based on actual events.
Yeah - I enjoyed it because I’ve read everything by Gordon Merrick.
It’s a tiny bit “low brow” but i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was almost late for work but I HAD to finish it. The last chapter really is a page turner!!!!
Yeah - I enjoyed it for the explicit, gratuitous sex.
Yeah - I enjoyed it for being based on actual events.
Yeah - I enjoyed it because I’ve read everything by Gordon Merrick.
It’s a tiny bit “low brow” but i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was almost late for work but I HAD to finish it. The last chapter really is a page turner!!!!
November 14, 2025
A bit long but all in all exactly what you want from a book of this - ahem - category. A delightful romp!
January 30, 2022
I chose this book because it sounded unlike anything I've ever read: high-society murder, money, and moral corruption.
The book is based on real-life people and events, as indicated in the author's forward, and the real-life "Perry" character is easily found on the internet.
In a nutshell, a depression-era poor boy opportunist stops at nothing to achieve what he perceives as the good life. Definitely a "Hays Code" ending, though.
Trashy though it is, I must admit this read was quite a ride!
The book is based on real-life people and events, as indicated in the author's forward, and the real-life "Perry" character is easily found on the internet.
In a nutshell, a depression-era poor boy opportunist stops at nothing to achieve what he perceives as the good life. Definitely a "Hays Code" ending, though.
Trashy though it is, I must admit this read was quite a ride!
October 12, 2016
A promising premise
This could have been an insightful exploration of the lives of gay men in New York prior to World War II. Unfortunately it devolved into a silly soap opera full of the social elite. The characters gush over each other, all of whom are repeatedly referred to as "dahling." The improbable, rushed ending left me wondering why I had stayed with this meandering melodrama all the way through.
This could have been an insightful exploration of the lives of gay men in New York prior to World War II. Unfortunately it devolved into a silly soap opera full of the social elite. The characters gush over each other, all of whom are repeatedly referred to as "dahling." The improbable, rushed ending left me wondering why I had stayed with this meandering melodrama all the way through.
March 23, 2015
Intriguing premise and interesting insight into the psychology of a kept boy. Beginnig and ending are good but the middle is protracted and doesn't go anywhere. Main characters are difficult to know and therefore like. Probably sexy and daring for it's time, but now just okay.
December 4, 2014
Good read
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews