Square Affair by Timmothy J.Holt Review!

About the Book 

Product Details

Paperback: 244 pages

Publisher: Christine F.\Anderson#Publishing & Media; First Edition edition (January 14, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0692350640

ISBN-13: 978-0692350645

   

In the small Midwestern town of Dewers, among the turmoil of the 1960s, the conversations of five men leads to sexual exploration, which takes them and the town on a journey through good and evil that will change the entire community and confirm the town’s resolve to survive. 

Arrested on charges of public indecency for anonymous sex in the courthouse restroom, five men reveal complex, unknown, and differing motivations for their actions. As they face not only criminal prosecution, but also the tribunal of Dewers, two questions are on their minds: Who am I, and is anyone out there like me? 

Clara May and Frieda, guardians of Dewers gossip, narrate Square Affair, where the reader becomes a citizen of Dewers: walking the square, in a bar drinking, trick-or-treating, in a store buying a hat, or in a car gossiping. 

About the Author   

Timm spent his childhood in rural Illinois, his early adult life in Chicago, and has recently returned to Chicago after a long absence. He received a BA degree in sociology from Ill Wesleyan Univ., a MPA from Roosevelt Univ., and a MD from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. He is a retired physician with a specialty in geriatrics. He has numerous articles published in medical and trade journals, as well as, a book for the Catholic Health Association on integrating long term care services. His poetry can be found in an array of literary journals. As a playwright, Obsession, Teddy's Nightmare, and Aurora Borealis have been produced at the Marigny Community Theater in New Orleans. When he is not writing, Timm likes to travel, hang out with his partner, his 2 children, his dog Miss Otis, and his cat Goldie.

My Thoughts

In the 1960's, being gay was just not talked about. It existed but not really recognized. Square Affair refers to five men who are arrested for having annoymous sex in the Courthouse bathrooms. They never thought they would be caught but they were and now have to face the consequences.

The story is narrated by Clara May and her friend Frieda, the town gossips. These ladies know everything that goes on in town. Clara May had her suspicions but kept it to herself. Clara May is an individual who is very progressive for her age and the era. Because of this a few of the men are very comfortable talking to her. I really liked her character.

The arrest of these five men and the consequences open up buried secrets that a few of them have harbored for a very long time. Are they all gay, have they grown accustomed to being gay and keep it secret, are they ready to "come out", choose to end their marriages, or do they keep their marriage together just because they feel it the right thing to do?  These are questions that are eventually touched upon as the author tells the story. We come to know the wives of a few of the men, their feelings and emotions are put to the test as the trial of the men is ready to begin. 

I found this story to be very well written and true to how it was back in the 60's. 50+ years later, being gay is finally being accepted by most people. Most states now allow gay marriage, actually my daughter married her significant other just last week in Florida. We have come a long way in those years and it is a big step that has been a long time coming. The author really delved into the emotions that all people in this small community have and how the arrest and subsequent trial has affected them.I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book for review from The Cadence Group and was not monetarily compensated for my thoughts.