A Measure of Madness: A Novel

by Gordon Merrick

Escaping a destructive love affair in New York, Phil Renfield recovers his ability to love in the arms of English artist Johnny Marston and in the lush paradise of the island of Crete. But a storm is brewing over the blue Aegean, and his name is Manoli-Greek, beautiful, arrogant, and capable of stirring up a hurricane of shame and jealousy that leads quickly to violence. Gordon Merrick was the author of more than 10 novels, including Perfect Freedom and the much-loved Peter and Charlie trilogy- The Lord Won't Mind, One for the Gods, and Forth Into Light. He died in Sri Lanka in 1988. Also Available by Gordon The Great Urge Downward TP 14.95, 1-55583-296-2 CUSA Perfect Freedom TP 14.95, 1-55583-297-0 CUSA

Genres: Gay, Gay Fiction, LGBT, Fiction

422 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Son 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.

Reviews

[Olaf Koopmans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Merrick can be an arousing writer when he wants to. This one fell a bit short though. There's a lot of sex and sensuality of course, like in all of his books, but not as subtle as in the other books that I read from him.
What bothered me the most though about 'A Mesaure of Madness' was the constant doubt and worrying from the main character, Phil.
As a reader you spent most of the time in Phil's head and that's a very troubled, tiring and eventually boring place to be.
As a Summer read I got through to it in the end, but only just.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically a Harlequin Romance for us gay folk, this had an interesting plot. Gordon Merrick was one of the first gay authors I've read. Never dissappointed with his prose.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gordon Merrick is one of my guilty pleasures- His books are filled with hyperbole, gorgeous men having magnificent sex in exotic settings- what's not to like. The sad thing is now I have read all of his post "The Lord Don't Mind" novels. This was a good one set in Greece with a bittersweet ending. I will miss his pure gay escapism,,,

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

War doch ein bisschen enttäuscht, nachdem ich die Peter- und Charly-Trilogie gelesen hatte.