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Monkey Suits
The narrative of 'Monkey Suits' follows the lives of five waiters, and a well-known married couple of the society set, from autumn 1988 to spring 1989.
Lee Wyndam, shy and unfocused, finds that his work-related affairs lead to more problems than passion. But when a secretive affinity group leads him to the liberating world of AIDS activism, his true passion may finally blossom with Cal, a biracial videographer.
Brian Burns, Lee's insufferably handsome ex-boyfriend, thinks the world owes him a living. His foray into 'the oldest profession' leads to a strange encounter with a formidable and familiar client.
Ed Seabrook, Brian's current boyfriend, is one of few who actually enjoys his job. Along with Marcos Tierra, a club "celebutante" between catered parties, and Ritchie Hurst, a (mostly straight) struggling sculptor, each young man sees his life and beliefs collide with society scions at a tumultuous AIDS benefit hosted by Trish Fuller. Her husband Winston Fuller's homophobic editorials spur the protest.
Although mostly set at uptown parties in late '80s Manhattan, like one of the novel's characters, Provenzano lived for a few years in nearby Jersey City. A few chapters are set there, and in the World Trade Center PATH station.
'Monkey Suits' captures an historic time in New York City life, as well as the revolutionary AIDS activism of that era. An array of Egyptian references weave a metaphoric perspective, evoking an empire of contrasting wealth and servility.
"A nostalgic mix of sex, melodrama ... jammed with in-jokes, intrigue, involving characters, details and finishing touches... a sultry page turner." -- Torso Magazine
"Captures perfectly the Reagan Age as it examines the lives of cater-waiters working swank parties, while getting politicized by ACT-UP." -- author David Ehrenstein, Ehrensteinland.com
"Part sneering, part servile, a nervy imbalance gives this novel a subversive, comic clout. His behind-the-scenes details are a hoot." -- Richard LaBonte, Bookmarks
"Uses light-handed irony and a sharp eye for dark humor ... a wit that equals Maupin at his best." -- Keith Morrisette, author of The Boyfriend, for donaghebooks.com
Lee Wyndam, shy and unfocused, finds that his work-related affairs lead to more problems than passion. But when a secretive affinity group leads him to the liberating world of AIDS activism, his true passion may finally blossom with Cal, a biracial videographer.
Brian Burns, Lee's insufferably handsome ex-boyfriend, thinks the world owes him a living. His foray into 'the oldest profession' leads to a strange encounter with a formidable and familiar client.
Ed Seabrook, Brian's current boyfriend, is one of few who actually enjoys his job. Along with Marcos Tierra, a club "celebutante" between catered parties, and Ritchie Hurst, a (mostly straight) struggling sculptor, each young man sees his life and beliefs collide with society scions at a tumultuous AIDS benefit hosted by Trish Fuller. Her husband Winston Fuller's homophobic editorials spur the protest.
Although mostly set at uptown parties in late '80s Manhattan, like one of the novel's characters, Provenzano lived for a few years in nearby Jersey City. A few chapters are set there, and in the World Trade Center PATH station.
'Monkey Suits' captures an historic time in New York City life, as well as the revolutionary AIDS activism of that era. An array of Egyptian references weave a metaphoric perspective, evoking an empire of contrasting wealth and servility.
"A nostalgic mix of sex, melodrama ... jammed with in-jokes, intrigue, involving characters, details and finishing touches... a sultry page turner." -- Torso Magazine
"Captures perfectly the Reagan Age as it examines the lives of cater-waiters working swank parties, while getting politicized by ACT-UP." -- author David Ehrenstein, Ehrensteinland.com
"Part sneering, part servile, a nervy imbalance gives this novel a subversive, comic clout. His behind-the-scenes details are a hoot." -- Richard LaBonte, Bookmarks
"Uses light-handed irony and a sharp eye for dark humor ... a wit that equals Maupin at his best." -- Keith Morrisette, author of The Boyfriend, for donaghebooks.com
- GenresLGBT
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2011
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Jim Provenzano
14 books139 followersJim Provenzano is the author of the novels Finding Tulsa, Now I'm Here, PINS, Monkey Suits, Cyclizen, the 2012 Lambda Literary Award-winning Every Time I Think of You, its sequel Message of Love (a Lammy finalist), and the stage adaptation of PINS (a Bay Area Theatre Critics awardee). His short fiction collection Forty Wild Crushes includes new and previously published stories.
He edited and published his late uncle John Rigney Jr.'s 1950s novel, The Lost of New York, in 2022. His latest work is the YA novella, Lessons in Teenage Biology, out May 6 (ebook) and June 1 (paperback), 2024.
A journalist in LGBT media for more than three decades, and the guest curator of Sporting Life, the world's first gay athletics exhibit, he also wrote the award-winning syndicated Sports Complex column for ten years. He's currently the Arts Editor at the Bay Area Reporter.
jimprovenzano.com
jimprovenzano.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/JimProvenzanoAuthor
www.amazon.com/author/jimprovenzano
twitter.com/jim_provenzano
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YouTube Channel
He edited and published his late uncle John Rigney Jr.'s 1950s novel, The Lost of New York, in 2022. His latest work is the YA novella, Lessons in Teenage Biology, out May 6 (ebook) and June 1 (paperback), 2024.
A journalist in LGBT media for more than three decades, and the guest curator of Sporting Life, the world's first gay athletics exhibit, he also wrote the award-winning syndicated Sports Complex column for ten years. He's currently the Arts Editor at the Bay Area Reporter.
jimprovenzano.com
jimprovenzano.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/JimProvenzanoAuthor
www.amazon.com/author/jimprovenzano
twitter.com/jim_provenzano
www.instagram.com/jimprovenzano
YouTube Channel
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 10, 2013
utterly delightful!
January 26, 2024
I love this book. Well, I love all of Jim Provenzano's writing but this one, I think, is my favorite of all.
February 14, 2013
Having read "Every Time I Think of You" which I loved, I found this diappointing and a struggle to read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews