Harsh Cravings

by Jason Haaf

Harsh Cravings is a diary style memoir influenced by Mary MacLane’s I Await the Devil’s Coming and confessional literature. Written over the course of ninety days, it is a first-person reflection of what it is to navigate a queer life, marriage and memories in New York City. Taking place during the summer and fall months of 2020, it is an unfiltered look into the life of its author and a commentary on the events and people who surround him.

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, Memoir, LGBT

Paperback

Reviews

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very effective within the perimeters it sets for itself, which is an unfiltered time capsule of a very specific moment in time. Composed of daily journal entries covering August - November 2020 it records the chaotic turmoil of life during that time: negotiating lockdowns, tentative emergence out of social isolation, sexual decisions, job insecurity, & the reappraisal of relationships & life choices of all kinds, all playing out in front of a bleak backdrop of social crises: ongoing health risks, BLM protests, the run-up to the 2020 Presidential election. It was both conflicting to return to this turbulent not-so-distant past, but also kind of a relief to receive confirmation that others were dealing similar struggles (though admittedly there's a lot that's very specific to contemporary gay Millennial life: the apps, open relationships, social media, etc).

Intentionally left a bit rough & not over-revised, the strength is in Haaf's voice & particularly his sense of candor, especially around sex & his relationship, & willingness to deeply scrutinize; there's also a lot to be said about his ability to step outside his subjectivity & acknowledge absurdity in himself as much as in others & the world around us. Also illustrated with his witty pornographic collages, a nice touch.

"My queerness is not so much what is in me: it is in the detail I see in another."

[Annalise Biesterfeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storytelling was so strong! The entries where action was linked directly with thought were the best parts of the book. However sometimes he drifted too far into the abstract, asking lots of questions and never answering them, adding broad thematic ideas in with no grounding in reality. the storytelling was grounded and everything else was not at all, which left me feeling disjointed. Plus the attachment to Mary MacLane felt random and unnecessary
Wonderful writer that needed another pass at this work imo

[James Dirck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one felt personal. I lived in the same neighborhood in 2020. It had me wondering how many times I may have crossed paths with the author.

As I shared many feelings surrounding the pandemic / lockdown and the uncertainty surrounding the pending election, I was simultaneously reliving my own experiences while reading about Jason’s. Though I wasn’t sharing my side in any actual way, it almost seemed like we shared a back and forth dialogue.

I’ve always wanted to write about my own experiences and, whenever I expose myself to someone else’s raw and honest personal stories, I feel that much closer to sharing my own. I hope to read more from Jason in the future!

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could be really good for someone else just not for me :( PS: do not read this jawn on the train! I was red in the faaaace too many times

[Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐
An interesting diaristic look into one person's experience during the pandemic of 2020.

Jason Haaf's Harsh Cravings was a good, fairly quick read that examines his thoughts and experiences during the COVID Pandemic of 2020. His day-to-day life is comingled with reflections of his past and contemplations on the future. It's highly relatable to many of readers who went through similar experiences of coping with such a pivotal moment in human history.

I liked Haaf's style of writing, it truly felt as though I were reading someone's diary. My only qualm was that I do think there could have been a little bit of editing, as some sections seemed unnecessary. Yet, I will say that his documentary-style of writing was a breath of fresh air in my recent readings. Also, I'll say his ability to describe his sexual encounters was pretty damn well-done!

This work was like a piece of modern art: this is not for the viewer to admire for its beauty, but rather what the viewer discovers about themselves with the book as the catalyst. Reading this, each person will have their own personal reaction to what Haaf has to say, it is then our responsibility to look at those reactions and understand why they are happening, and if there is anything we choose to do about them.

[Derek Siegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Harsh Cravings" delivers exactly what it promises. The author is upfront that he's not speaking for everyone (not all of his takes on queer identity and politics resonated with me). He's here to tell his story and capture this moment in his life (April - November 2020), and the intimacy is so compelling. Yeah, it's hot (the sexcapades and fun, risqué artwork). It's also emotional vulnerable and so specific to navigating COVID-19, the pre-2020 election, and the intersections of what's going on in the author's life (his loneliness, family relationships, mental health, and plans for the future). I'll be honest that I'm unfamiliar with Mary MacLane and "I Await the Devil's Coming," which has obviously influence the author quite a bit. But you don't need to know the work to appreciate "Harsh Cravings," which I found easy-to-read, quite funny at parts, and emotionally resonant. Would recommend.

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the weekend, I picked up Harsh Cravings by Jason Haaf at my favorite bookstore. Harsh Cravings is a diary memoir influenced by the confesional style of Mary MacLane’s I Await the Devil’s Coming. The memoir was written over the course of ninety days in 2020 and is a contemporary reflection on queerness, desire, eroticism, gay marriage, and ethical non-monogamy. I particularly enjoyed Haaf’s perspective on both the relationship and distinctions between desire and the erotic for queer men. I also think the queer artwork incorporated throughout the memoir was provocative and intriguing. Harsh Cravings was published by the independent queer press Polari, which is named after the slang spoken by gay and bisexual men when homosexuality and same-sex sexual practices were still criminalized.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Jason Haaf in Harsh Cravings as in the title, has harsh cravings which is the intense strong desire for intimacy, touch, connection, and newness. Majority if not all the time, that is manifested through sex. He is in fact insatiable and always hungry. Having those cravings during a pandemic where life stopped and touch was basically forbidden, made it all the worst. He records this and many other things including his discovery of his Black ancestral background, his mothers illnesses, and the queer experience all while living in NYC during that dreary time.
Haaf’s voice is so relatable and real. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and kept reaching for it to indulge more and more of his words. Highly recommend!!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very human: shameless, raunchy, restless, impatient, needing, seeking, searching. I enjoyed the lack of hiding anything mixed with the internal question of fulfillment and what that means depending on the individual. The dialogue of finding that fulfillment even while in a societally deemed “happy life” was interesting to read and to question. I’m walking away with a lot to think about, which I appreciate from any kind of journal/memoir.

[Life Imitates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when people are honest about their lives and the messiness inside. I appreciate hearing about what people are and aren’t proud of sharing, assuming that it’s all true. Whether I wanted it to be or not, this book was very inspirational. I share too much in common with the author, and maybe my life will follow a similar path. I don’t know how I feel about that, but I enjoyed reading about someone else going through it.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 , this is a unique time capsule of a very specific moment of history. I appreciate the authors thoughts on non monogamy, queerness, and existence. I started to get a little bored in the second half of the book but the ending drew me back in.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with another review that I would give this 3.75 stars. It was just good to read something
gay/queer at this time. Bringing a different sense of perspective than perhaps my own. I just needed at this time to read something inclusive about my community.

[Connor Girvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5 stars

[Seth Stomberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is what happens when you give a gay horny millennial a platform:

[Rory Gilheany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 (good for what it was…but in the end, it was what it was)

[Matt Chisling (MattyandtheBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mini-Review: Jason Haaf's memoir is highly stylized, but highly effective in communicating his fears, desires, and aspirations for the future in the wake of the Pandemic. Haaf's memoir is written as a series of journal entries, many of which focus on his sexual desires at a time when physical contact was more limited. It's an honest, engaging memoir, and I think cuts to the core of a lot of the insecurities many of us faced in that trying time.