This is my attempt in reviewing, what I consider to be one of the most touching literary works in the recent decades. Although you may not agree with my views, and I do not expect you to, but please keep in mind, that having read this memoir, and having seen the stage adaptation twice, this is something I hold in high acclaim, so as much as I can, I will vouch for this beautiful piece.
Holding The Man is the memoir of Timothy Conigrave (1959-1994), an articulate reconstruction of his childhood, teen years, and adulthood. The most prominent focus is on his fifteen year relationship with his lover, John Caleo.
This memoir is amazingly delicate, with such detail and tender commentary, from the beginnings of this seemingly impossible star-crossed love, to the very end, where Tim watches his lover die in hospital of an AIDS related illness.
How unique is this memoir, to recount the relationship between these two men, not as perverts, nor as martyrs, but as two people with their own lives, unique in experience, but universal in emotion.
To the readers of this review, perhaps potential readers of the memoir, do not let these themes distract you; it is rare to find such a beautiful piece dealing with issues of Gay, and AIDS, without sounding cliche and pretentious. Holding the Man delivers something more; a personal, and above all, unique memoir of the struggles, of more than just a community struggling with what was termed "Gay Cancer", but presents itself as surpassing such labels and restrictions, to recount a life of finding, and losing, love, and the adversity facing those star-crossed lovers.
The majority of Smogon, who I am writing this specifically for will not be able to relate to the discrimination and disapproval for the love between Tim and John, but I believe that some of the more appreciative members of Smogon will be able to empathise, and understand the transcending theme of love, perhaps even discrimination or disapproval of their love, even if you should not face the same adversity that had presented itself in the relationship of Tim and John.
This is a heartbreaking memoir to read, not merely because of its recount of the lives that had been lost to AIDS, but perhaps more the development of the relationship between Tim and John. I do not wish to spoil the emotions that you would be guaranteed to feel when you read of the adversities in their relationship, the only clue I can give you is that, remembering the naturalistic nature of this memoir, it does not recount the unapologetic lives of two martyrs, but the struggles and adversity, both externally and internally with the relationship of Tim and John.
It hurts me to know in such a review, barring a discussion, I cannot express my true feelings for this beautiful memoir. All I have to vouch for are the tears that were shed by me and my friends, from reading and watching the stage adaptation of Holding the Man.
I do not wish to advertise for the publishers, I have no monetary intention, I merely wish to share this experience I gained from reading this beautiful memoir with my community at Smogon.
For those in Australia, the novel is on sale at major bookstores, I found mine at Borders, and it will be guaranteed to be sold at the more bohemian areas (Newtown, for Sydney-siders)
There is a US and Canadian version of the memoir, however I have no information on it.
The stage production, pure magic, is in Sydney right now, returning with a fourth season due to popular demand, and will finish touring on the fourth of November.
Brisbane and Melbourne is planned.
Apparently there is a US tour in San Fransisco right now.
So if there is a stage production of the memoir in your city, I do recommend it, having gone twice myself.
Holding The Man is the memoir of Timothy Conigrave (1959-1994), an articulate reconstruction of his childhood, teen years, and adulthood. The most prominent focus is on his fifteen year relationship with his lover, John Caleo.
This memoir is amazingly delicate, with such detail and tender commentary, from the beginnings of this seemingly impossible star-crossed love, to the very end, where Tim watches his lover die in hospital of an AIDS related illness.
How unique is this memoir, to recount the relationship between these two men, not as perverts, nor as martyrs, but as two people with their own lives, unique in experience, but universal in emotion.
To the readers of this review, perhaps potential readers of the memoir, do not let these themes distract you; it is rare to find such a beautiful piece dealing with issues of Gay, and AIDS, without sounding cliche and pretentious. Holding the Man delivers something more; a personal, and above all, unique memoir of the struggles, of more than just a community struggling with what was termed "Gay Cancer", but presents itself as surpassing such labels and restrictions, to recount a life of finding, and losing, love, and the adversity facing those star-crossed lovers.
The majority of Smogon, who I am writing this specifically for will not be able to relate to the discrimination and disapproval for the love between Tim and John, but I believe that some of the more appreciative members of Smogon will be able to empathise, and understand the transcending theme of love, perhaps even discrimination or disapproval of their love, even if you should not face the same adversity that had presented itself in the relationship of Tim and John.
This is a heartbreaking memoir to read, not merely because of its recount of the lives that had been lost to AIDS, but perhaps more the development of the relationship between Tim and John. I do not wish to spoil the emotions that you would be guaranteed to feel when you read of the adversities in their relationship, the only clue I can give you is that, remembering the naturalistic nature of this memoir, it does not recount the unapologetic lives of two martyrs, but the struggles and adversity, both externally and internally with the relationship of Tim and John.
It hurts me to know in such a review, barring a discussion, I cannot express my true feelings for this beautiful memoir. All I have to vouch for are the tears that were shed by me and my friends, from reading and watching the stage adaptation of Holding the Man.
I do not wish to advertise for the publishers, I have no monetary intention, I merely wish to share this experience I gained from reading this beautiful memoir with my community at Smogon.
For those in Australia, the novel is on sale at major bookstores, I found mine at Borders, and it will be guaranteed to be sold at the more bohemian areas (Newtown, for Sydney-siders)
There is a US and Canadian version of the memoir, however I have no information on it.
The stage production, pure magic, is in Sydney right now, returning with a fourth season due to popular demand, and will finish touring on the fourth of November.
Brisbane and Melbourne is planned.
Apparently there is a US tour in San Fransisco right now.
So if there is a stage production of the memoir in your city, I do recommend it, having gone twice myself.