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Looker

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Sometimes love is closer than you think, and for Brando Haywood he finds love in his best friend—but Brando's life takes a turn when he gets involved in a murder trial...

Brando Haywood is a handsome, popular, and successful entertainment lawyer who seems to have everything but passion. Two years celibate and a prisoner of his routine, he goes through life quietly on the sidelines while his promiscuous best friend, Omar Stevens, thrashes through life and love with all the ups and downs Brando barely realizes he longs for.

Brando's life takes a dramatic turn when he is asked to defend a female friend who has killed her rapist. The sensational and controversial trial that follows not only ignites Brando's fervor for his career but also helps him discover his passion and a true love that had been staring him in the face all along.

Looker firmly establishes Stanley Bennett Clay's reputation as a writer who spins brilliant erotic entertainment even as he challenges his readers' sensibilities.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

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246 people want to read

About the author

Stanley Bennett Clay

13 books131 followers
Stanley Bennett Clay received 3 NAACP Theatre Awards and 3 Drama-logue Awards for writing, directing and co-producing the stage play “Ritual.” He made his film writing/directorial debut with the film version, which was voted the Jury Award at the 2000 Pan African Film Festival. Recently he wrote and directed the documentary "You Are Not Alone," and examination of depression among black gay men.

He wrote the plays “Lovers” (Theatre of Arts), wrote and composed the musical “Street Nativity” (Celebrity Centre Theatre), and wrote and starred in “Armstrong’s Kid” (Roy Arias Off-Broadway Theatre/NY).

He directed the west coast premiere of the play “Jonin’” (Estelle Harmon Theatre, Drama-logue Award/Direction), produced the GLAAD award-winning “Children of the Night” (Ebony Showcase Theatre), and produced the world premiere of “Willie & Esther” which was a Los Angeles Times Critics’ Choice and won 2 L.A. Weekly Awards, including Best Play. He most recently directed the premiere production of "B-Boy Blues: The Play" adapted from the James Earl Hardy classic novel. The production won The Audience Award at New York City's Downtown Urban Theatre Festival.

As an actor, Clay starred, guest-starred and was featured in more than fifty TV and film productions including “Good Times,” “Cheers,” “Minstrel Man,” "James Michener’s Dynasty,” “Cannonball” and “All The President’s Men.” On stage, he did leads in “Zooman and the Sign” (Drama-logue Award/NAACP Image Award Best Actor nominee) “Anna Lucasta” (NAACP Image Award Best Actor winner) and “Six Pieces of Musical Broadway” (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion). He also appeared in Albert Camus’ “Caligula” (Zodiac Theatre) Bill Duke’s “Sonata” (Theatre of Arts) and “A Hatful of Rain” (Argo Repertory Company).

He’s the author of 6 novels: “Diva” (Fleming & Sons), “In Search of Pretty Young Black Men” (Atria), “Looker” (Atria), "Aching For It" (Ellora's Cave), "Hollywood Flames" (Ellora's Cave) and "Madame Frankie" (Ellora's Cave). “Search” won the 2005 New York HOTEP Society Award for Best Gay Novel. He also co-authored “Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute to E. Lynn Harris.”

For ten years (1991-2001) he edited and published SBC Magazine, then the most widely distributed national monthly for the Black LGBT community. He received Genre Magazine’s Life Guard Award, The National Black Writers’ Founder’s Award, the first Black Gay and Lesbian Cultural Alliance Award, the 2008 Oakland Black Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, Blatino Oasis 2010 Award for Literature, the Indianapolis Black Pride/Brothers United Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature, and the first Better Brother Los Angeles Lifetime Achievement Award.


He lives in Manhattan, New York with his husband Reny.

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5 stars
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18 (19%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for DeMon Spencer.
11 reviews7 followers
May 30, 2011
This was a really good read. Fast paced, interesting, unexpected twists, relatable characters, life lessons and socially aware messages without being "preachy", fun, and best of all... DRAMA DRAMA AND MORE DRAMA (lol). I even found myself laughing out loud while reading some of the more humorous parts.

I would recommend this book to everyone who fell in love with the books of E. Lynn Harris. Although author Stanley Bennett Clay has some distinct writing differences from Mr. Harris, they both write from the heart and they both have the ability to paint a vivid picture of the African American gay community with a sincere honesty that other writers in this genre seems to lack.

MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM "Looker" (chapter 6 page 39):
This doesn't reveal anything that would spoil the book, so it's ok to read this even if you haven't read the book yet. The main character "Brando" confesses his love for "Earl-Anthony" but Earl does not reciprocate those feelings. They were both very young but Earl was much more experienced than Brando. This quote is Earl letting Brando down easy but he also imparts a little wisdom as well.

Earl-Anthony to Brando:
"I'm in the process of exploring myself. When I come to know me more fully, then I'll come to love me more fully. And only then will I be able to love someone else the way they truly need to be loved. In the meantime, enjoy the journey. You'll know your destination when you get there."
Profile Image for Ms. Nikki.
1,053 reviews318 followers
November 12, 2011
I read this book in one sitting. It flowed from one character to the next with easy precision. I have nothing negative to say. I really cared what happened to these players in the game of life which we all must go through. Sometimes winning, sometimes losing, and sometimes being a bystander, watching everything pass you by. I'm really glad I took the time to read Looker. It ends on a romantic note, but is in general about the relationships surrounding these characters. Recommended as a really good, open your eyes, open your heart read~
Profile Image for Jay DeMoir.
Author 25 books77 followers
January 2, 2021
This was a hot mess than was rather disappointing. Too many characters, not enough development, & a confusing plot. It seemed as though this was attempting to be an E Lynn Harris novel with a mix of Patrick Ian Polk but fell flat. 🤢🤢

well, at least I’ve finished my first book of 2021...
Profile Image for Chas.
25 reviews6 followers
September 9, 2008
"Settling is not an Option"

Brando Heywood and Omar Stevens have been best friends since high school. Brando is a respectable guy with a certain quality to him; he is an eligible bachelor that has come to terms with his job and his parents. Brando's problem is he's been in relationships before but he doesn't understand the passion that should be connected to it. Brando is the type of guy that is admired from a distance and a prude up front; if you ask his best friend Omar.
Omar Stevens likes to have his cake and eat it too. He likes them young, fun, and full of cum. Omar is content with having his stand-ins, but that's not what he really wants. Omar feels that if he decides to be in a relationship then the fun times will be diminished in his world. Don't get me wrong, Omar is all about the safety of himself and others. Omar is obsessed with life while Brando is just obsessed with the experience.
The Supporting Cast of the novel added to the drama. Jeanette who Brandon met during a business trip at the Economic Empowerment Summit in Washington DC, Clementhia who will become one of Brando's clients, The sister he never had; Dee who is from LA, and the most interesting character of all that are connected is Mrs. Selma Fant the mother of Early Anthony, and the wife of a councilman.
The Looker was a good read. The erotic scenes were mediocre to me. They were not as steamy as I expected and there is not a lot of sex happening. I mean it happens, but only in spurts. Drama is another story, there is so much drama in this book you will be saying GTF out of here every time something takes place. There were no errors in this book whatsoever, which is a beautiful thing. I read the book in regular time for me what is two days and I give the book 4 out of 5 stars for good read. Drama is Omar's treasure but will Brando come to treasure what's already right in front of him.

Profile Image for Taylor Siluwé.
16 reviews15 followers
January 31, 2011
In a class by himself...

My love affair with Stanley Bennett Clay began with In Search of Pretty Young Black Men--his steamy tale of a beautiful hustler driving the residents of a wealthy black enclave to murderous distraction.

His latest novel, Looker, has all the raw eroticism of its predecessor, with even more heart.

Brandon Heywood and Omar Stevens were the best of friends since childhood. Brando is a handsome, popular, and successful entertainment lawyer; a man whose seemingly idyllic life lacks passion. Choosing to remain celibate for 2 years after the end of a long term relationship, he goes through life quietly on the sidelines. Omar, a showbiz writer and journalist thrashes through life and love, all the while hiding the romantic feelings he has for Brando that he has kept hidden since they were teenagers. Soon, murder allegations throw Brando and Omar up against some harsh realities which may make them see what's been there all along.

Stanley Bennett Clay once again proves to be a master, lyrical storyteller who other writers aspire to emulate. `Looker' deserves five and one half stars, but there is no category for that - which is appropriate, because Clay is in a class by himself. ~
Profile Image for Lisa.
185 reviews
July 16, 2008
A current Lambda award winner, this book surprised me. It reminded me of E. Lynn Harris' novels -- self consciously set in African American urban culture, focused on the erotic aspects of intimate relationships, materialistic and stereotypical in its descriptions. But I ended up liking this one much more than I do Harris' books. There are lots of fairly well written steamy sex scenes, mostly between men but some involving women. But the plot takes the story to a fairly sophistocated level. It explores the big issues including friendship and chidhood wounds and gender identity and self fulfillment with a great deal of compassion. The end is predictable, but the men are truly changed once they get there, and I suspect that's what won this novel the award.
Profile Image for African Americans on the Move Book Club.
726 reviews210 followers
September 18, 2008
Brando Heywood and Omar Stevens have been best friends since high school. Brando is a respectable guy with a certain quality to him;he is an eligible bachelor that has come to terms with his job and his parents. Brando's problem is he's been in relationships before but he doesn't understand the passion that should be connected to it. Brando is the type of guy that is admired from a distance and a prude up front; if you ask his best friend Omar.Omar Stevens likes to have his cake and eat it too. He likes them young, fun, and full of cum. Omar is content with having his stand-ins, but that's not what he really wants. Omar feels that if he decides to be in a relationship then the fun times will be diminished in his world. Don't get me wrong, Omar is all about the safety of himself and others. Omar is obsessed with life while Brando is just obsessed with the experience. The Supporting Cast of the novel added to the drama. Jeanette who Brandon met during a business trip at the Economic Empowerment Summit in Washington DC, Clementhia who will become one of Brando's clients, The sister he never had; Dee who is from LA, and the most interesting character of all that are connected is Mrs Selma Fant the mother of Early Anthony, and the wife of a councilman.The Brando Heywood and Omar Stevens have been best friends since high school. Brando is a respectable guy with a certain quality to him; he is an eligible bachelor that has come to terms with his job and his parents. Brando's problem is he's been in relationships before but he doesn't understand the passion that should be connected to it. Brando is the type of guy that is admired from a distance and a prude up front; if you ask his best friend Omar.
Omar Stevens likes to have his cake and eat it too. He likes them young, fun, and full of cum. Omar is content with having his stand-ins, but that's not what he really wants. Omar feels that if he decides to be in a relationship then the fun times will be diminished in his world. Don't get me wrong, Omar is all about the safety of himself and others. Omar is obsessed with life while Brando is just obsessed with the experience.
The Supporting Cast of the novel added to the drama. Jeanette who Brandon met during a business trip at the Economic Empowerment Summit in Washington DC, Clementhia who will become one of Brando's clients, The sister he never had; Dee who is from LA, and the most interesting character of all that are connected is Mrs. Selma Fant the mother of Early Anthony, and the wife of a councilman.
The Looker was a good read. The erotic scenes were mediocre to me. They were not as steamy as I expected and there is not a lot of sex happening. I mean it happens, but only in spurts. Drama is another story, there is so much drama in this book you will be saying GTF out of here every time something takes place. There were no errors in this book whatsoever, which is a beautiful thing. I read the book in regular time for me what is two days and I give the book 4 out of 5 stars for good read. Drama is Omar's treasure but will Brando come to treasure what's already right in front of him.



Chasity B.
AAMBC Book Reviewer
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,819 followers
March 11, 2009
LOOKER: The Title Suggests a Kaleidoscope of Meanings in this Enthralling Novel

Stanley Bennett Clay takes chances: he knows he takes them and unlike Captain Scott's diaries from 1912 as he lay dying in the Antarctic in which he admits the chances turned out against him, the chances Clay takes work very much in his favor. Now with this third novel Stanley Bennett Clay shows a maturity of style and focus without a loss of the chancy topics he embraces. LOOKER simply works!

Clay introduces a huge cast of characters so rapidly yet so well defined that for a few chapters the novel seems as though it will be a series of short stories; we meet Brando, an entertainment lawyer whose celibacy is linked to his past lost love Collier; Selma Fant, the alcoholic wife of a councilman whose only child Earl-Anthony responded to his misunderstood childhood by transforming into a popular transgender singer Miss Zara; successful writer Omar who despite his longing for a relationship with Brando after his leaving the demanding Shane is a lothario `chickenhawk' unable to forego his desires despite his nearing middle age; Jeanette Bell and her lesbian lover, highly successful novelist Clymenthia Teager; Vanessa Ellerbee and her downlow husband William who craves Brando; recently divorced Dee Dempsey whose bruised heart embraces those in need; Ramon Alexander and his abused wife Charlene; and Senior Father Lacey Cannon who holds court for all the pretty gay men in his community. And yes, there are more!

The story is too fine to condense in a review. Suffice it to say that Clay connects all the dots by a central story of a murder trial over a heinous event that occurred between Ramon and Jeanette, a climactic situation steered by Brando that alters the lives of each of the characters and brings about closure to the many open wounds and secrets and lusts and stories of each of the novel's cast.

Clay has the ability to write some of the most sensuous prose about lovemaking and just plain sex between men as anyone out there: his situations and recreations of scenes are erotic and electrically charged. At the same time he is able to enter the courtroom with some of the better banter between lawyers and some pungent political and social commentary that is eloquent and deeply moving. Clay again explores the `on the downlow' particles that pepper the wealthy black community of Los Angeles (his setting for his novel), but he also dips deeply into the crises of relationships in the 21st century - finding that the concept of monogamy still rings clearly and preferably, the goal of the struggling of wandering eyes of the lookers.

And so Stanley Bennett Clay's title LOOKER could mean `handsome looking men', `stunning women', voyeurs, or those searching for that nebulous lifelong love - it all depends on the part of this kaleidoscopic novel the reader wishes to emphasize. But in the end Clay once again proves that he is capable of spinning tales both bizarre and tender, and he succeeds in every direction. This is yet another tasty novel from a writer of distinction. Grady Harp

Profile Image for K..
Author 1 book
September 26, 2013
I am enjoying Stanley's latest work. I know him from a men's group we are both members of. I enjoy that fact that he is a local author (Los Angeles), so I can relate to the geography that he details. This helps to put me in the story. It has also continued my education about black gay men, a group which I am apart of.
Profile Image for Michael-.
13 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2008
Looker was a bit different than I expected, still, it was magnificently written. Each chapter was no more than five pages, but each storyline was completely developed and the characters were extremely varied and diverse. Stanley Bennett Clay did an excellent job.
Profile Image for AL.
12 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2011
This book was an excellent book. The amount of characters was more then I'm use to, but the fact they they all had their own character was perfect. The book brought tears to my eyes.
4 reviews1 follower
Read
October 9, 2025
I enjoyed this novel. It has that increasingly rare set up of multiple characters whose lives are all connected in a the sort of randomness that's real life like, just more dramatized. And wonderfully executed. This gave me those light bulb moments as i uncovered the connection between this character and this one and this other one. Also, the clear separation between the personas of the characters was superb. If I were to describe each and every one of them, I would do it without mistaking one for the other. Admittedly, the juices start flowing around halfway through the book when the opening act to the crux of the book's blurb takes place. Before that, the story is mainly to get acquainted with the many characters and their roles in the entire story. This book showed up while I was looking into Lynn Harris and related authors.
Profile Image for Sylvia.
1,436 reviews13 followers
July 20, 2017
1☆


This story was just not for me it has too many things I hate in it ;
all the "Bi" men were cheating on their wives who know about it one of them even helps her man with it so she can have some decent sloppy seconds from her own husband , the different Pov's of the secondary characters I just couldn't keep up it was more like a soap with all the tragic deaths and drama
and Selma omg what she did to Brando *ugh I can't even....
so nope this was not my cuppa



(I think what happend in this story is what most people are affraid of being in an relationship with someone who's Bi and he or she still feel the needs to have sex outside of their relationship and in the story it just rubbed me the wrong way)
Profile Image for Maritza.
91 reviews
July 11, 2008
It was a wonderful book, very interesting. Its based in L.A. and it deals with homosexulaity, love and relationships
Profile Image for Quin.
28 reviews
September 30, 2010
I found this book formulaic and disappointing. If it's going to be formulaic, then give me more to be stimulated by...like hot sex or an evil conflict.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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