Monkey Suits: a novel (Inglés) Tapa blanda – 6 ago 2003

The problem with this novel is that of many second novels; it is not as good as the amazing PINS, Mr. Provenzano's first novel. While the author wrote about the world of high school wrestling teams in PINS, here he writes about the waiter world (thus the name MONKEY SUITS since those who carry food to our tables usually are clad in those uncomfortable suits with cummerbunds). It's certainly not a bad novel and is an easy read. It just doesn't have the passion, at least for me, that his first one did. Set in Manhattan in the late 1980's-- The elder Bush is elected president during the course of events-- the novel follows the lives of several gay "cater" waiters and one mostly straight one, Ritchie, who-- whether intentional or not on the part of the author-- comes across as one of his most endearing characters. There are other characters to care about as well: Kevin, for one, who is active in ACT-UP when he isn't waiting tables. But many of the other people aren't very sympathetic. They work for the people, high society types, who treat them badly even while raising money for AIDS. They do not lift a finger to help themselves-- unless you count the occasional passive agressive spitting in someone's food. And the use of feminine pronouns to refer to men is way past overdone. Additionally, the scene at the AIDS benefit at the Metropolitan Museum degenerates into slapstick. I thoroughly expected a food fight. Finally, at two different places in the novel the author inserts a page of quotations at the end of chapters (pages 108 and 165) that just seem to float. I have no idea what that's all about.

MONKEY SUITS is far better than a lot of contemporary "gay" novels and certainly covers an area not usually written about. It's probably unfair to expect this novel to be as fantastic a story as PINS. Mr. Provenzano obviously is capable of writing very fine stories and most likely will do it again. I'll read them cheerfully.

"Monkey Suits" is ensemble piece that, in some ways, reads like a set of overlapping short stories. Whereas Provenzano's "Pins" departed from some typical conventions of gay "coming of age" fiction, "Monkey Suits" occupies more familiar territory. The story focuses on a group of "cater waiters" in the era after the initial onslaught of AIDS. It's a coming of age piece among young post-college men stuck in the world of upscale catering--a little more lucrative than temping, and a bit more glamorous than entry level office work, but a dead end from which one hopes at least some of the guys can escape.

The nominal protagonist is Lee, although he is probably the least developed of the ensemble. Early on, he is described as an airhead; later he comes across as timid and anxious; and finally, he emerges as an activist of sorts. The various pieces of his personality aren't really pulled together and his initial interest in activism seems more a matter of his attraction to fellow waiter, Kevin, than anything else. Even if Lee is a nice guy who flies under most people's radar and needs to be pulled along by the flow of things, his character requires more development than occurs here. We know more about the other characters backstories, while all we know is that Lee comes from a college town in Indiana. We don't know if he's from the gown or the town or whether he or his parents ever had expectations beryond waiterhood. The counterpoint to Lee is his ex-boyfriend Brian, the exteremely handsome, very manipulative guy that most people want to have, but also come to hate. Rounding out the cast are Ritchie, the basically straight artist, his musician girlfriend, Brian's new boyfriend--Ed, and Marcos who is something of a diva-ish mother hen for Lee. Later, we meet Cal, a stunningly beautiful man, who becomes the real love of Lee's life. Other characters include a well-intentioned socialite and her husband who is a closeted, kinky, and homophobic political conservative.

The story captures the later years of the New York that was chronicled and lampooned in Spy magazine. This was the New York of "The Donald", Leona Hemsley ,and the worst sorts of excess. The book also focuses on AIDS activism and issues of class. The efforts at finding metaphors for the servile life of the waiters is a bit forced, especially given their largely middle class to upper middle class backgrounds. The AIDS activism seems a bit muted and fails to communicate the truly intense anger and the level of theatre that came with ACT-UP. The dopey narcissism that sometimes came with the guerilla theatre also is missing. The anxiety about AIDS is a mix between the complacency that came later and the concern about evety act that was more typical of the mid-80s. In that respect the book captures its era very well.

I've emphasized the flaws, but the writing makes up for most of them and the book is ultimately a very rewarding read. It's humorous and there are many insightful looks at human life and gay men. The characters are, in their different ways, likeable and engaging--even Brian. As with "Pins", Provenzano ties things up a little too quickly and neatly. A novel can leave us wondering more than a short story, a column, or an essay, and that seems to be where Provenzano has the most trouble.

This is an engaging story of activism in the early days of AIDS. But that's only the backdrop: it's really more the story of how lives can change suddenly and dramatically. The setting, mostly, is the upscale world of New York diners, who treat the gay waiters like their servants. The guys cope with the advent of this strange new disease and the new out-there protest group (ACT-UP) that appears.

The main character, Lee, is attracted to this vocal, policy-changing mob, and feels like with social activism, he might have found his passion in life. Other characters are equally colorful: Brian, who tries life as a hustler; a club-hopper boy, a bi-curious sculptor, and more.

It's a colorful, detailed look at a moment in time in our history--with all the laughs, tears and drama you'd expect.

I wanted to like this novel. The writing is good and engaging. However, the book is not as successful as it could be because the characters are not very likable. Yes, it's about a group of waiters who work for a very high end catering company in Manhattan. Most of the characters consider themselves too good for their job. A lot of liberal whining and feelings of entitlement. I read a lot of the book thinking, " The reason we're PAID for a job is because it's not entirely pleasant. If you don't like working where you are, find another job!" Liberals will like this book - everyone feels entitled, everyone resents the rich, and no one is ready to take real responsibility for their lives. Toward the end of the novel one of the main characters becomes involved in AIDS activism. I wish this had been pictured with more personal depth. The story ended rather unresolved and uneventful, and I was left thinking that I'd wasted my time. Good writing wasted on less that worthy material. Should have been so much better.