Although Blake Bailey's 770-page bgraphy of John Cheever won't be published until next week, crics nnected to the suburban bard are already wrtlg wh his legacy. The lerary appraisals may be fuzzy but what to very sharp foc is people's endurg disfort wh Cheever's gay life, twenty-seven years after...
Contents:
- THE 11 GAYT MOMENTS ON "SEFELD"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 30, 2015/10:58 AMBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 30, 2015 / 10:58 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE 11 GAYT MOMENTS ON \"SEFELD\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-06-30T14:58:08.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-06-30T14:58:08.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THE SURFACE, SEFELD MAY NOT SEEM LIKE GAY-CENTRIC S LIKE WILL & GRACE, OR EVEN FRIENDS, BUT NOW THAT ALL 180 EPISOS OF THE BELOVED SERI ARE STREAMG ON HULU, WE'VE REALIZED THE SHOW WAS PRETTY QUEER ED (EVEN IF WASN'T ALWAYS POLILLY RRECT).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEFELD HAD A GAY SENSIBILY—EVER NOTICE HOW JERRY, GEE, ELAE AND KRAMER NEVER SEEMED TO MAKE A RELATNSHIP WORK WH A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSE SEX?— AND GARNERED LGHS WHOUT MAKG THE LGBT MUNY THE BUTT OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHECK OUT 11 OF SEFELD'S GAYT EPISOS BELOW. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}1. "THE NOTE"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THIS SEASON 3 EPISO, GEE EXPERIENC GAY PANIC WHEN HE GETS A MASSAGE OM A MALE MASSR. "I THK MOVED," HE LATER TELLS THE GANG. GEE ALSO REVEALS HIS FEAR OF BEG TOO CLOSE TO OTHER MEN, LEADG HIM TO BE A "STALL MAN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}2. "THE TTH"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALSO SEASON 3, GEE BREAKS UP WH A KOOKY ACUNTANT, PATRICE, BUT REALIZ JERRY'S BEG DED AND SHE STILL HAS HIS TAX FORMS. HEARG PATRICE HAS GONE OFF THE EP END, GEE SAYS, “I’VE DRIVEN WOMEN TO LBIANISM BEFORE BUT NEVER TO A MENTAL STUTN.” (THIS BE A NNG JOKE ON THE SHOW.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}3. "THE SUBWAY" {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS CLASSIC EPISO SE ALL FOUR CHARACTERS OFF ON THEIR OWN ADVENTUR ON THE SUBWAY. ON HER WAY TO A SAME-SEX WEDDG, ELAE TALKS TO A FELLOW SUBWAY RIR, WHO MISTAK HER FOR A LBIAN. AFTER THE UNFORTABLE STRANGER WALKS AWAY, ELAE YELLS “I HATE MEN BUT I’M NOT A LBIAN!”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ANOTHER SCENE, GEE MENTS, “I ALWAYS GET THE FEELG WHEN LBIANS ARE LOOKG AT ME THEY’RE THKG 'THAT’S WHY I’M NOT A HETEROSEXUAL.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}4. "THE CHEEVER LETTERS"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KRAMER’S CIGAR HAD BURNT DOWN A B A PREV SEASON 4 EPISO AND ONE OF THE SURVIVG ARTIFACTS IS A T BOX WH LOVE LETTERS BETWEEN SAN'S FATHER AND CELEBRATED WRER JOHN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“DEAR HENRY, LAST NIGHT WH YOU WAS BLISS," ONE MISSIVE READS. "I FEAR MY ASM HAS LEFT ME A CRIPPLE. I DON’T KNOW HOW I SHALL EVER GET BACK TO WORK. I LOVE YOU MADLY, JOHN. PS LOVED THE B.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAN’S FATHER BARKS AT THE FAY, “Y! Y, HE WAS THE MOST WONRFUL PERSON I’VE EVER KNOWN AND I LOVED HIM EPLY," BEFORE TURNG TO HIS WIFE AND SAYG, " A WAY YOU ULD NEVER UNRSTAND.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}5. "THE OUTG"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE OF THE SHOW’S BIGGT TCH PHRAS, “NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHG WRONG WH THAT,” ME OM THIS SEASON 4 EPISO, WHERE JERRY AND GEE ARE MISTAKEN FOR A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEREOTYP LIKE BETTE MIDLER, BROADWAY MILS AND MEN WHO ARE "SGLE, TH AND NEAT" E UP THROUGHOUT THE EPISO. AND GEE FDS HIMSELF AN UNFORTABLE SUATN WATCHG A MALE NURSE GIVG A MALE PATIENT A SPONGE BATH BEHD A CURTA A HOSPAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}6. "THE SMELLY CAR"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALSO THE FOURTH SEASON, GEE ACROSS HIS NOW-EX SAN HOLDG HANDS WH ANOTHER WOMAN AT A VIO STORE AND CIS HE WANTS HER BACK. THAT WON'T BE AS HARD AS SOUNDS, AS KRAMER GETS SAN’S NEW GIRLIEND TO FALL FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GEE EXCLAIMS, “AMAZG! I DRIVE THEM TO LBIANISM, HE BRGS THEM BACK.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}7. "THE STALL"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO DIDN’T HAVE A CSH ON DAN CORTE THE EARLY 90S? THE HOTTIE GUT-STARRED THE FIFTH SEASON OF SEFELD AS ELAE'S ADVENTURE-SEEKG BOYIEND TONY, AND 'S NOT LONG BEFORE SHE AND JERRY REALIZE GEE IS DOTG ON HIM A B TOO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JERRY: “I THK GEE HAS A NON-SEXUAL CSH ON HIM”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELAE: “I THK HE DO, TOO”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JERRY: “I MEAN, EVERY TIME I SEE HIM ’S TONY-THIS AND TONY THAT. GEE IS LIKE A SCHOOL GIRL AROUND HIM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}8. "THE BEARD"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SEASON 6, ELAE ATTEMPTS THE IMPOSSIBLE– TURNG A GAY MAN STRAIGHT. BUT HER SUCCS IS SHORT-LIVED WHEN ROBERT RETURNS TO HIS "TEAM." JERRY EXPLAS THAT MEN WHO HAVE SEX WH MEN HAVE A DISTCT ADVANTAGE OVER WOMEN: THEY HAVE ACCS TO "THE EQUIPMENT" 24 HOURS A DAY AND KNOW HOW TO E BETTER. #{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}9. "THE KISS HELLO"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JERRY FEELS UNFORTABLE WH PEOPLE WHO KISS HELLO, BUT HIS ATTEMPTS TO AVOID THEM BACKFIRE THIS SEASON 6 EPISO. TO STOP HIS BCHG ABOUT , KRAMER GRABS JERRY AND PLANTS A FIRM ONE ON HIS LIPS JT AS GEE WALKS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOT THE FIRST MALE KISS A S BUT A FUNNY, UNEXPECTED MOMENT JT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}10. "THE UNRSTUDY"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ANOTHER SEASON 6 EPISO, GAY IN BETTE MIDLER GUT STARRED AS HERSELF. KRAMER IS HEAVEN, CRADLG HER AFTER SHE'S KNOCKED DOWN DURG A SOFTBALL GAME AND SGG ‘WD BENEATH MY WGS” TO NSOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ALSO MAK A MI PASTA STATUE OF THE DIVE MISS M, LLED ‘MARONI MIDLER!’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}11. "THE WIG MASTER"
- IS JOHN CHEEVER GAY
- IT’S STILL CHEEVER COUNTRYWH THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW JOHN CHEEVER BGRAPHY, THE MAN’S UNSAVORY SECRETS HAVE BEEN FURTHER DISSECTED. BUT S AFTER HIS ATH HIS WRG STILL F SUBURBAN ENNUI, HNTG THE ICY RIPPL OF FAR OM HEAVEN, REVOLUTNARY ROAD, AND MAD MEN.BY JAM WOLTTMARCH 16, 2009SAVE THIS STORYSAVESAVE THIS STORYSAVEIF A TGE OF MELANCHOLY HNTS THE CKTAIL HOUR, IF A CROQUET MALLET LEFT RELICT ON THE LAWN EVOK A BROKEN MERRIMENT, IF THE BAR R OF A MUTER TRA GIV OFF A STALE WHIFF OF FAILED PROMISE AND BTER ALIMONY, PSE AND PAY HOMAGE TO JOHN CHEEVER. LIGHT A BUG NDLE ON THE PAT HIS HONOR. FOR CHEEVER—NOVELIST, MASTER OF THE SHORT STORY, PROLIFIC DIARIST—IS THE PATRON SAT OF EASTERN SEABOARD PATHOS AND REMPTN, THE EDWARD HOPPER OF SUBURBAN ENNUI, PRERVG MOR EPIPHANI AMBER. DPE HIS PATRICIAN PATA, CHEEVER WAS NO SAT HIS PERSONAL LIFE AND NOT QUE ONE OF NATURE’S NOBLEMEN. THE PUBLITN 1991 OF THE JOURNALS OF JOHN CHEEVER PUT A PERMANENT WRKLE THAT FAçA, PUBLICIZG CHEEVER’S PREVLY CLOAKED BISEXUAL APPET AND POLET PROPENSI, ALONG WH A LSER HOST OF MISERI, VANI, AND MNRGS THAT LEFT AN OILY RIDUE. A GREATER SMIRCH ON CHEEVER’S NAME REGNN WAS FLICTED A YEAR LATER, ON AN EPISO OF SEFELD WHERE GEE COSTANZA (JASON ALEXANR) DISVERED THAT HIS PROSPECTIVE FUTURE FATHER--LAW WAS A FORMER LOVER OF CHEEVER’S, HOARDG A SECRET STASH OF LETTERS OM THE AR MAN. MILLNS OF VIEWERS WHO MAY NEVER HAVE READ A SGLE STORY OF CHEEVER’S NOW HAD HIS INTY BRAND TO THEIR BRAS AS A GAY PUNCH LE.[#IMAGE: /PHOTOS/54CBF65444A199085E8838]|||WANT MORE WOLTT? VIS HIS BLOG ON |||BUT IF SOME OF THE MAHOGANY RICHNS HAS WORN OFF OF CHEEVER’S DIVIDUAL REPUTATN FOLLOWG HIS ATH, 1982, THE FLUENCE OF HIS IMAGATN AND SENSIBILY HAS SWUM EVER EPER TO THE CULTURAL BLOODSTREAM, S UNIQUE FORMULA OF MAGIL ELIXIR AND EMBALMG FLUID WDG S WAY THROUGH EVERYTHG OM ORDARY PEOPLE TO THE ICE STORM TO AMERIN BETY TO FAR OM HEAVEN TO REVOLUTNARY ROAD TO TV’S MAD MEN. NEARLY EVERY STYLIZED RETRO EXAMATN OF THE HIDN TOOTH Y OF THE AMERIN DREAM OW CHEEVER SYMBOLIC ROYALTI (SEE ALSO “RETHKG THE AMERIN DREAM,” BY DAVID KAMP). AS THIS UNTRY EDG TO THE PROSPECT OF LOSG SO MUCH OF WHAT ONCE HAD, A VAST VALUG OF EVERYTHG TOOK FOR GRANTED, THE BTERSWEET PANG OF CHEEVER’S NOSTALGIA AND THE BLEAK APPREHENSN UNRLYG IDLE CHCHAT HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE APROPOS—PERFECT TIMG FOR THE PUBLITN OF BLAKE BAILEY’S CHEEVER: A LIFE (KNOPF), A BGRAPHY OF MONUMENTAL HEFT AND PICKY ASIS THAT CERTIFI CHEEVER’S ENDURG RELEVANCE WHILE SMACKG HIS WRIST WH A NUN’S LER. AFTER ONE OF CHEEVER’S TYPIL LYRIL EFFNS, HIS BGRAPHER CHIS, “PERHAPS, BUT THE FACT REMAED THAT HE WAS IMPOTENT, AND OFTEN DNK BEFORE LUNCH.” EVEN WHEN YOU’RE AD, YOU N’T GET AWAY WH ANYTHG.MY GOD, THE SUBURBS! THEY ENCIRCLED THE CY’S BOUNDARI LIKE ENEMY TERRORY, AND WE THOUGHT OF THEM AS A LOSS OF PRIVACY, A CSPOOL OF NFORMY AND A LIFE OF SCRIBABLE DREARS SOME SPL-LEVEL VILLAGE WHERE THE PLACE-NAME APPEARED THE NEW YORK TIM ONLY WHEN SOME BORED HOEWIFE BLEW OFF HER HEAD WH A SHOTGUN. —JOHN CHEEVER, ESQUIRE, JULY 1960.IN THE HALO’D CIRCL WHERE THE CRAFT OF FICTN IS A VOTNAL LLG, CHEEVER IS HELD UP AS AN EXEMPLAR OF A WRER’S WRER, TENDG TO HIS TY PLOT OF FALLEN PARADISE. FIRST PUBLISHED AT THE AGE OF 18, WH AN ACUNT THE NEW REPUBLIC OF BEG EXPELLED OM THAYER AMY (A PRIVATE SCHOOL), CHEEVER HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO LAND UNR THE AEGIS OF *THE NEW YORKER’*S FICTN EDOR WILLIAM MAXWELL, WHOSE SOLICU AND SELF-EFFACEMENT WERE THE STUFF OF VATIN LEGEND. IN 1938, CHEEVER, WHO HAD PUBLISHED A FEW STORI THE MAGAZE UNR KATHARE WHE’S EDORIAL WAND, WAS LATERALED OFF TO MAXWELL. “MAXWELL’S ATTENTIVENS WAS ALL THE MORE FLATTERG—AND HIS EDORIAL ADVICE VALUABLE—BEE HE HIMSELF WAS ALREADY, AT AGE THIRTY, THE THOR OF TWO WELL-REGARD NOVELS, BRIGHT CENTER OF HEAVEN AND THEY CAME LIKE SWALLOWS,” BAILEY WR. “FOR MOST OF HIS REER, THOUGH, HIS OWN REPUTATN WOULD BE ECLIPSED BY THE GREATER FAME OF THE WRERS HE EDED: NABOKOV, SALGER, WELTY, AND (AS MAXWELL PUT ) ‘THREE WONRFUL WRERS ALL NAMED JOHN’—O’HARA, UPDIKE, AND CHEEVER.” UNR MAXWELL’S TUTELAGE, CHEEVER PRODUCED A BASKET OF GOLN EGGS, STORI THAT BY THE LATE 40S—“MIRACULO YEARS FOR CHEEVER”—PLACED HIM NEAR THE TOP TIER OF THE FICTN WRERS AT THE NEW YORKER, AN EXCLIVE ATERNY THAT CLUD O’HARA, NABOKOV, SALGER, AND IRW SHAW. BUT LERARY CHET DIDN’T STOCK THE PANTRY OR VER THE DRY CLEANG, PECIALLY DURG DRY SPELLS. “IN HIS JOURNAL CHEEVER WROTE, ‘WE ARE AS POOR AS WE EVER HAVE BEEN. THE RENT IS NOT PAID, WE HAVE VERY LTLE TO EAT.… WE HAVE MANY BILLS.’ DETERMED TO WRE ‘A STORY A WEEK,’ HE WAS REJECTED FOUR TIM A ROW BY THE NEW YORKER, WHICH MEANT HE WOULDN’T BE RECEIVG A YEARLY BON EHER. FACED WH DIRE POVERTY, AND FORCED TO WRG ‘LIFELS AND TTABLE’ FICTN, CHEEVER CHID HIMSELF FOR ENTERTAG AN ‘UNREASONABLE’ GREE OF PETULANCE.”A PETULANCE FLAMED TO A RASH OF ENVY BY THE THUMPG SUCCS OF HIS IEND IRW SHAW’S WORLD WAR II EPIC, THE YOUNG LNS. IT WAS LIKE BEG SLAPPED ACROSS THE FACE WH A FANCY WALLET LISTENG TO SHAW, WHO WAS RAKG SCREENPLAY MONEY ON THE SI AS THE ROYALTI ROLLED , FLNTG HIS JACKPOT STAT AS POSTWAR FICTN’S NEWT GOLN BOY. “FOR CHEEVER, WAS EXQUISE AGONY TO HEAR SHAW PLA, BLHELY OVER LUNCH, ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY HE’D HAVE TO MAKE THIS YEAR ORR TO PAY TAX ON HIS EARNGS OM LAST YEAR.” THIS AS CHEEVER PREPARED TO ATTEND *THE NEW YORKER’*S 25TH-ANNIVERSARY GALA A SENDHAND TUXEDO. CHEEVER WOULD LATER FEEL OVERSHADOWED AND OUTMANVERED AT THE NEW YORKER BY J. D. SALGER (WHICH WAS LIKE BEG UPSTAGED BY THE INVISIBLE MAN), DONALD BARTHELME, AND THAT GENUO PUP, JOHN UPDIKE.READG BAILEY’S BGRAPHY RENFIRMS AN IMPRSN OF CHEEVER THAT I’VE RRIED AROUND MY LOCKET FOR YEARS—THAT THE MAN HAD A LOT OF HAM ACTOR HIM, WHICH HE SERVED PRETTY THICK. LIKE ILLTR GLAZED HAMS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SUCH AS JOHN BARRYMORE, CHARL LGHTON, AND JACK NICHOLSON, CHEEVER ENLISTED HIS DIENCE AS -NSPIRATORS, LCULATG HIS EFFECTS DOWN TO THE LAST NOëL COWARD DROP OF SHERRY. HIS ROLE-PLAYG BEGAN OUT OF SOCIAL NECSY AS HE WENT THROUGH THE MOTNS OF KEEPG UP APPEARANC, LIKE A CHARACTER A MIMALIST RTOON STRIP OR A JACQU TATI EDY. AFTER CHEEVER, HIS WIFE, MARY, AND THEIR DGHTER, SIE (WHO WOULD GROW UP TO BE AN THOR HER OWN RIGHT), MOVED TO AN APARTMENT ON SUTTON PLACE THAT THEY ULD BARELY AFFORD, HE TOOK PAS TO PASS HIMSELF OFF AS A MEMBER GOOD STANDG OF THE RPORATE RAT RACE. “ALMOST EVERY MORNG FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, HE’D PUT ON HIS ONLY SU AND RI THE ELEVATOR WH OTHER MEN LEAVG FOR WORK; CHEEVER, HOWEVER, WOULD PROCEED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO A STORAGE ROOM THE BASEMENT, WHERE HE’D DOFF HIS SU AND WRE HIS BOXERS UNTIL NOON, THEN DRS AGA AND ASCEND FOR LUNCH.” HE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN WEARG PRISON STRIP, SO REGIMENTED WAS HIS ROUTE, AND CHEEVER WOULDN’T DISVER HIS REAL, BREATHG PERSONA UNTIL HE DROPPED THIS OKIE-CUTTER POSE OF UNIFORMY AND MOVED TO THE SUBURBS, WHERE HIS NER WASP ULD UNBEND AND SPCE UP S AFFECTATNS. HIS WARDROBE SELECTN WAS SHABBY CHIC BEFORE THE PHRASE AND STYLE BEME VOGUISH. HIS ACCENT BETIFIED TO A VERABLE FLUTE. “WHEN APPEARG ON THE DICK CAVETT SHOW, OR PUTTG AN IMPUNT BARKEEP HIS PLACE,” BAILEY WR, “CHEEVER BEME ALMOST A PARODY OF THE POMPO TOFF (‘LIKE THURSTON HOWELL III ON GILLIGAN’S ISLAND,’ THE WRER JAM KAPLAN OBSERVED, ‘OR CHATSWORTH OSBORNE DOBIE GILLIS’), BUT AT OTHER TIM—RELAXED, CRACKG JOK—HE SOUND NOT UNLIKE A BOY OM THE SOUTH SHORE WH AN ENGLISH MOTHER.” OUR LERARY LIFE WOULD BE POORER WHOUT S THEATRIL TOUCH-UPS, AND CHEEVER’S ARE NO MORE TO BE BEGDGED AND CENSURED THAN THE PILE OF BUTTERK BATTER THAT JAM DICKEY BEME OR ISAK DEN’S EYE SHADOW. A LTLE SHAMMG DON’T HURT AS LONG AS DON’T BEE THE LAST LE OF BRTLE FENSE. BUT AS CHEEVER GREW OLR AND HIS DRKG SPUN TO A KAMIKAZE SPIRAL, HIS MANNERISMS VELOPED A SPERATE FLUTTER AND HOLLOW RG, AS IF ECHOG OM A CRACKED SHELL. HE MIGHT FOOL HIS FANS WH FTIAN ELOQUENCE, BUT HE ULDN’T BLUFF THE PSYCHIATRIC STAFF OF MANHATTAN’S SMHERS ALHOLISM TREATMENT AND TRAG CENTER, WHERE HE WAS ADMTED 1975 AFTER A BGE THAT LEFT HIM “NAKED AND HERENT.” THEY WEREN’T THERE TO HUMOR HIS LORDSHIP. BAILEY WR:BULLIED AT EVERY TURN FOR HIS “FALSE LIGHT-HEARTEDNS” AND “GRANDSY,” CHEEVER RETREATED TO A VAST, DULENT HUY. “OH, BUT OFURSEYOU’RE RIGHT,” HE’D MUTTER ( SO MANY WORDS) WHEN CHALLENGED. NOBODY WAS FOOLED OR AMED. CAROL KMAN, A STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST, REMARKED THAT CHEEVER REMD HER OF URIAH HEEP: “HE IS A CLASSIC NIER WHO MOV AND OUT OF FOC,” SHE WROTE HER PROGRS NOT. “HE DISLIK SEEG SELF NEGATIVELY AND SEEMS TO HAVE TERNALIZED MANY RATHER IMPER UPPER CLASS BOSTON ATTUS WHICH HE RIDICUL AND EMBRAC AT THE SAME TIME.”IT WAS HIS EROTIC LIFE THAT CHEEVER NSTCTED HIS MOST ORNATE ARTIFICE, SUBJECT TO EROSN. ALTHOUGH HE WOULD STRAY OM THE MARRIAGE BED THAT HE OFTEN FOUND SO LD AND FORBIDDG FOR SEXUAL TERLUS WH MEN, HE PRID HIMSELF ON MATAG A MASCULE ONT WH NO MTY ACCENTS. SWISH HE ABHORRED. “ALTHOUGH HE LOVED MEN,” SAN CHEEVER WR HER BGRAPHIL MEMOIR OF HER FATHER, HOME BEFORE DARK, “HE FEARED AND SPISED WHAT HE FED AS THE HOMOSEXUAL MUNY; THE LIMP-WRISTED, LISPG MEN WHO ARE SOMETIM THE SELF-APPOTED REPRENTATIV OF HOMOSEXUAL LOVE OUR CULTURE. MEN WHO N GIFT SHOPS, SELL ANTIQU, STRIKE BARGAS OVER PORCELA TEA SETS.”FEAR OF EFFEMACY AND DISDA FOR ADORABLE BRIC-A-BRAC DROVE CHEEVER TO POLICE THE PREMIS LIKE A BUTCH WATCHDOG HIS ROLE AS PATRIARCH, BROWBEATG HIS POOR SON, BEN, OVER ANY FEY ACTN, ACRDG TO BAILEY. “YOU LGH LIKE A WOMAN!,” CHEEVER WOULD SNAP AT THE BOY WHEN HE GIGGLED (TERTGLY, THE SMHERS STAFF WERE STCK BY CHEEVER’S OWN CHRONIC TTERG), AND HE ACCED HIS SON OF PAMPERG HIMSELF LIKE SOME STARLET WHEN HE TOOK BUBBLE BATHS. BEN LERALLY HAD TO WATCH HIS EVERY STEP. “[BEN] LIKED TO DANCE ONT OF THE BATHROOM MIRROR—PRETENDG HE WAS A GUNSLGER WHO ULD DANCE SO WELL HE ULD DODGE BULLETS—UNTIL ONE DAY HIS FATHER WALKED : ‘THAT,’ SAID BEN, ‘WAS THE END OF MY DANCG ONT OF THE MIRROR.’” AND WH THE PROMISE OF BEG A FUTURE BILLY ELLT.WHAT BMTENED CHEEVER TO HIS YOUNG PROTéGé MAX ZIMMER, AN ASPIRG WRER WHOM HE HAD MET WHILE VISG THE UNIVERSY OF UTAH, WAS THAT HE WORE WBOY BOOTS AND “HAD NONE OF THE ATTRIBUT OF A SEXUAL IRREGULAR,” SUCH AS RAMPANT ANTIQUG ON WEEKENDS. USG HIS CLOUT AS LERARY WIZARD, CHEEVER CHAMPNED ZIMMER’S WORK AND GOT HIM A SPOT AT THE ARTISTS’ LONY YADDO, SARATOGA SPRGS, NEW YORK, AND HE EXPECTED SOMETHG NICE RETURN. “I KNEW BEFORE I LEFT FOR SARATOGA,” THE MORMON-RAISED MAX REALIZED WH A HEAVY HEART, “THAT I’D HAVE TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER HAND-JOB.” ALTHOUGH CHEEVER SISTED HE HAD NO TENTN OF FEEDG UPON MAX’S WPOKE NOCENCE LIKE A PRAYG MANTIS, HE WAS A WILY CS WHEN ME TO GETTG HIS WAY. WHENEVER ZIMMER BROUGHT A MANCRIPT TO THE MASTER FOR APPRAISAL AND ADVICE, CHEEVER, WHO BELIEVED THAT SEXUAL AROAL SHARPENED HIS EYIGHT AND NCENTRATN, WOULD ASK THAT MAX ASSIST UNBLURRG HIS VISN. SIGH; WAS TIME TO GIVE THE OLD HANDLE ANOTHER CRANK. I AM IRRISTIBLY REMD OF THE EDIAN LOUIS C.K.’S REQUIEM FOR A HALFHEARTED WANK: “THAT HAND JOB WAS PROBABLY THE SADST THG THAT EVER HAPPENED AMERI. THERE SHOULD BE A MONUMENT TO THAT HAND JOB, WH A REFLECTG POOL, WHERE YOU JT S AND THK, ‘GOD THAT WAS FUCKG SAD.’” IT WAS MORE THAN SAD FOR ZIMMER. IT HAD AN AIR OF GENTLE ERCN. AS A UTNARY LSON, CHEEVER WOULD VOKE THE EXAMPLE OF AN EARLIER PROTéGé, ALLAN GURGAN, WHO WOULD EARN BT-SELLG SUCCS WH OLST LIVG CONFERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL. “GURGAN … WAS OFTEN VOKED FOR MAX’S BENEF, BOTH AS THE EMBODIMENT OF TE HOMOSEXUALY (‘HE SUFFERS ACUTELY OM THE LOSS OF GRAVY THAT SEEMS TO FOLLOW HAVG A CK UP YOUR ASS OR DOWN YOUR THROAT ONCE TOO OFTEN’) AND AS LIVG PROOF THAT WAS UNWISE TO SPURN CHEEVER’S ADVANC. AS HE TOLD MAX MORE THAN ONCE, HE’D HELPED GET ‘MOR HEROISM’ PUBLISHED THE NEW YORKER; BUT NOW THAT HE’D WHDRAWN HIS PATRONAGE, GURGAN WOULD NEVER APPEAR THE MAGAZE AGA.” AND GURGAN DIDN’T APPEAR THE NEW YORKER AGA WHILE CHEEVER WAS STILL ALIVE.[#IMAGE: /PHOTOS/54CBF65444A199085E8838]|||WANT MORE WOLTT? VIS HIS BLOG ON |||IT N’T BE SAID THAT CHEEVER PLAYED Y HIS MANVERS WH THE OPPOSE SEX. HE RRIED ON AN TERMTENT FLURRY OF AN AFFAIR WH THE ACTRS HOPE LANGE (THE STAR OF THE BT OF EVERYTHG AND TV’S THE GHOST & MRS. MUIR) ABOUT WHICH HE CROWED FAR AND WI, UNTENANCG HER ADVANCG YEARS WH A URTLY TWIRL, NFIDG TO HIS JOURNAL: “THAT HER VOICE MAY BE SHRILL, THAT HER LOOKS MAY BE PASSG, THAT THERE IS VERY LTLE RRPONNCE OUR TAST ARE THGS I KNOW AND DON’T RE ABOUT AT ALL.” THERE IS SO MUCH ONE IS WILLG TO OVERLOOK WHEN ONE IS DIDDLG A CELEBRY. BUT WASN’T RECIPROL, THIS FORBEARANCE, AS ICE FORMED ON HOPE LANGE’S HIGHER SLOP. “THE CISIVE EPISO HAD OCCURRED AFTER A RECENT LUNCH WHEN, RETURNG TO HER APARTMENT, CHEEVER HAD DROPPED HIS PANTS AND WAED. ‘I N’T HELP YOU,’ SHE SAID, AND MA A PHONE LL.” LEAVG HIM DANGLG. EVEN ARSER THAN CHEEVER’S C SHORTCUTS THROUGH THE ART OF SCTN (ENTER ROOM, DROP DRAWERS) WAS THE SMARMY WAY HE EXTOLLED WOMANLY CHARMS TO HIS FELLOW VALIERS. TO FRERICK EXLEY, THE THOR OF A FAN’S NOT, WH WHOM HE WENT ROLLICKG AT THE IOWA WRERS’ WORKSHOP, CHEEVER WROTE, “WE SEEM TO HAVE SOMETHG BASILLY MON, SOMETHG MORE LAMBENT, I HOPE, THAN HOOTCH AND CUNT.” AND TO MAX ZIMMER HE EXULTED THE AFTERGLOW OF A GALA DNER CELEBRATG THE PUBLITN OF THE STORI OF JOHN CHEEVER THAT WAS HELD HIS HONOR AT LUTèCE, WHERE HE WAS SEATED BETWEEN THE ACTRS LREN BALL AND MARIA TUCCI (THE WIFE OF THE LLECTN’S EDOR), “BASK[G] THAT AGRANCE OF BEAVER WE BOTH SO ENJOY.” I’M SURE THE EVENG WAS A TREAT FOR THEM TOO.OH, THOSE SUBURBAN SUNDAY NIGHTS, THOSE SUNDAY NIGHT BLU! THOSE PARTG WEEKEND GUTS, THOSE STALE CKTAILS, THOSE HALF-AD FLOWERS, THOSE TRIPS TO HARMON TO TCH THE CENTURY, THOSE POSTMORTEMS AND PICKUP SUPPERS! —JOHN CHEEVER, “O YOUTH AND BETY!”NOW WE E TO THE EVABLE STATN STOP THE PIECE WHERE WE SAY, BUT ENOUGH ABOUT THE LIFE, WH ALL S GCHE LAPS AND UNKEMPT PLITNS—WHAT ABOUT THE WORK? THE WORK HOLDS. THE WORK WHSTANDS. AS BAILEY OBSERV, CHEEVER—WHOSE 1977 NOVEL, FALNER, SRED HIM THE VER OF NEWSWEEK (DUE LARGE PART TO DGHTER SAN’S EDORIAL ROLE AT THE MAGAZE) AND WHOSE LLECTED STORI LNIZED HIS PLACE LETTERS (“NOT MERELY THE PUBLISHG EVENT OF THE ‘SEASON’ BUT A GRAND OCSN ENGLISH LERATURE,” MARVELED JOHN LEONARD)—“DIED ALMOST AT THE PNACLE OF HIS FAME.” AND SPE THE BGRAPHIL AND TOBGRAPHIL DISCLOSUR SCE, CHEEVER RETAS A PNACLE RA. HIS WORTH AS THOR HAS NOT SUFFERED THE STEEP DROP-OFF OF HIS FELLOW JOHN, O’HARA. IT ISN’T SIMPLY THAT CHEEVER WROTE MORE HANDSOMELY THAN O’HARA, BUT THAT HIS BT STORI HAVE AN EMOTNAL REACH AND REGRETFUL ACHE THAT THE MORE STONYHEARTED O’HARA WAS PABLE OF, SO TENT WAS HE ON LAYG OUT THE REAL SI DIRT ON HIS UNTRY-CLUB LO. WHATEVER SI DIRT CHEEVER EXTRACTED ON THE SECRET VIC OF SUBURBAN WAS GOLD-FLAKED WH A TENR IDOLIZG OF THE CLOUDS, WD, SUN, RA, SWIMMG POOLS, TENNIS URTS, AND ELEGANT GREENERY THAT POSED THEIR MIATURE KGDOMS. IN THE BT CHEEVER STORI (HIS NOVELS I FD TOO HODGEPODGY), THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHG WILD READY TO BREAK LOOSE ONCE THE LEASH OF PROPRIETY SNAPS, WHICH OFTEN TAK ONLY A FEW DRKS AND A BARED BRA STRAP. LIKE F. STT FZGERALD, CHEEVER WAS A BOTTED ROMANTIC WHO MIGHT SLOP AROUND PERSON BUT WHO KEPT A TT RE ON HIS LYRIL GIFTS, STRIVG FOR AN EXALTED PRECISN OF PERCEPTN THAT WOULD FE HIS SCRIPTIVE PASSAG WH ENOUGH RAPTURE TO KEEP THE MONS TEMPORARILY AT BAY. DPE THE EPIC BOOZG (“YOU DRK LIKE SIBERIAN WORKER!” HE WAS ONCE HURRAHED) AND OTHER DISSIPATNS, CHEEVER HAD A TREMENDO STAMA THAT SAW HIM THROUGH TO THE TRIUMPHANT FISH. A STAMA AND MISSNARY ZEAL WORTHY OF THE PROTAGONIST HIS CLASSIC STORY “THE SWIMMER,” WHO SWAM OM POOL TO POOL A QUIXOTIC QUT TO REACH HOME: “HE WAS NOT A PRACTIL JOKER NOR WAS HE A FOOL BUT HE WAS TERMEDLY ORIGAL AND HAD A VAGUE AND MOST IA OF HIMSELF AS A LEGENDARY FIGURE.” NOT A BAD EPAPH FOR CHEEVER HIMSELF, WHOSE VAGUE MOSTY WAS ALL PART OF THE ACT.JAM WOLTT IS A VANY FAIR NTRIBUTG EDOR.MOST POPULAROUR FLAG MEANS DEATH SEASON 2: EXCLIVE FIRST LOOKBY SARAH CATHERALLFLORENCE PUGH SAYS CHRISTOPHER NOLAN “APOLOGIZED” FOR HER SMALL OPPENHEIMER ROLEBY SAVANNAH WALSHHOW MK, THIEL, ZUCKERBERG, AND ANDRESEN—FOUR BILLNAIRE TECHNO-OLIGARCHS—ARE CREATG AN ALTERNATE, AUTOCRATIC REALYBY JONATHAN TAPLJAM WOLTT
- JOHN CHEEVER’S ALHOLIC DEMONS—AND WORLDLY GLAMOURLITERARY LEGENDS“Y, MY FATHER WAS A DIFFICULT, ALHOLIC, CLOSETED GAY MAN WHO WAS SOMETIM MEAN TO HIS FAY. WHAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST WH TIME IS HIS EXTRAORDARY HUMOR.”SAN CHEEVERUPDATED MAY 18, 2020 11:41AM EDT / PUBLISHED MAR. 03, 2009 1:06AM EST BACHRACH/GETTYMY FATHER DIED ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO, AND I MISS HIM EVERY DAY. HE WAS JT 70, AND HIS FIRST GRANDCHILD, MY DGHTER, WAS ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD. HIS ATH WAS A MEDIL MISTAKE; A DOCTOR WHO OPERATED ON HIS KIDNEY FOUND A MALIGNANCY AND DIDN’T TELL ANYONE, AND SIX MONTHS LATER WHEN MY FATHER ULDN’T WALK, TURNED OUT THE NCER HAD GONE TO HIS BON. READG CHEEVER: A LIFE (KNOPF), BLAKE BAILEY’S MARVELO BGRAPHY OF MY FATHER PUBLISHED THIS MONTH, IS A STRANGE, EXHILARATG AND PAFUL EXPERIENCE. SEEG YOUR OWN STORY SOMEONE ELSE’S BOOK IS ALWAYS DISORIENTG; ’S LIKE SUDNLY NOTICG AT A PARTY THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS WEARG YOUR FAVORE RED DRS AND THAT, WORSE LUCK, SHE LOOKS BETTER THAN YOU DO.Y, MY FATHER WAS A DIFFICULT, ALHOLIC, CLOSETED GAY MAN WHO WAS SOMETIM MEAN TO HIS FAY. WHAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST WH TIME IS HIS EXTRAORDARY HUMOR. BLAKE TERVIEWED ME MANY TIM OVER THE YEARS DURG WHICH HE WROTE, AND MY BROTHERS, MOTHER, AND I ARE ALL QUOTED OFTEN AND ACCURATELY HIS PAG. WHEN WE SPOKE, I OFTEN HECTORED HIM ABOUT THE NECSY OF SEPARATG MY FATHER’S ART AND MY FATHER’S LIFE. I AM NOT THE LTLE GIRL THE SORROWS OF G; MY FATHER IS NOT THE TROUBLED MAN THE ANGEL OF THE BRIDGE. NO NFLATN, I WOULD SIST, ALTHOUGH ED BOTH STORI AND MANY OTHERS ARE BASED ON THGS THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.SAN CHEEVER
THE 11 GAYT MOMENTS ON "SEFELD"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 30, 2015/10:58 AMBY JIM HALTERMANJUNE 30, 2015 / 10:58 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE 11 GAYT MOMENTS ON \"SEFELD\"","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-06-30T14:58:08.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-06-30T14:58:08.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JIM HALTERMAN","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THE SURFACE, SEFELD MAY NOT SEEM LIKE GAY-CENTRIC S LIKE WILL & GRACE, OR EVEN FRIENDS, BUT NOW THAT ALL 180 EPISOS OF THE BELOVED SERI ARE STREAMG ON HULU, WE'VE REALIZED THE SHOW WAS PRETTY QUEER ED (EVEN IF WASN'T ALWAYS POLILLY RRECT).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SEFELD HAD A GAY SENSIBILY—EVER NOTICE HOW JERRY, GEE, ELAE AND KRAMER NEVER SEEMED TO MAKE A RELATNSHIP WORK WH A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSE SEX?— AND GARNERED LGHS WHOUT MAKG THE LGBT MUNY THE BUTT OF A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CHECK OUT 11 OF SEFELD'S GAYT EPISOS BELOW. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}1. "THE NOTE"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THIS SEASON 3 EPISO, GEE EXPERIENC GAY PANIC WHEN HE GETS A MASSAGE OM A MALE MASSR. "I THK MOVED," HE LATER TELLS THE GANG. GEE ALSO REVEALS HIS FEAR OF BEG TOO CLOSE TO OTHER MEN, LEADG HIM TO BE A "STALL MAN."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}2. "THE TTH"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALSO SEASON 3, GEE BREAKS UP WH A KOOKY ACUNTANT, PATRICE, BUT REALIZ JERRY'S BEG DED AND SHE STILL HAS HIS TAX FORMS. HEARG PATRICE HAS GONE OFF THE EP END, GEE SAYS, “I’VE DRIVEN WOMEN TO LBIANISM BEFORE BUT NEVER TO A MENTAL STUTN.” (THIS BE A NNG JOKE ON THE SHOW.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}3. "THE SUBWAY" {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS CLASSIC EPISO SE ALL FOUR CHARACTERS OFF ON THEIR OWN ADVENTUR ON THE SUBWAY. ON HER WAY TO A SAME-SEX WEDDG, ELAE TALKS TO A FELLOW SUBWAY RIR, WHO MISTAK HER FOR A LBIAN. AFTER THE UNFORTABLE STRANGER WALKS AWAY, ELAE YELLS “I HATE MEN BUT I’M NOT A LBIAN!”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ANOTHER SCENE, GEE MENTS, “I ALWAYS GET THE FEELG WHEN LBIANS ARE LOOKG AT ME THEY’RE THKG 'THAT’S WHY I’M NOT A HETEROSEXUAL.'"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}4. "THE CHEEVER LETTERS"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KRAMER’S CIGAR HAD BURNT DOWN A B A PREV SEASON 4 EPISO AND ONE OF THE SURVIVG ARTIFACTS IS A T BOX WH LOVE LETTERS BETWEEN SAN'S FATHER AND CELEBRATED WRER JOHN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“DEAR HENRY, LAST NIGHT WH YOU WAS BLISS," ONE MISSIVE READS. "I FEAR MY ASM HAS LEFT ME A CRIPPLE. I DON’T KNOW HOW I SHALL EVER GET BACK TO WORK. I LOVE YOU MADLY, JOHN. PS LOVED THE B.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAN’S FATHER BARKS AT THE FAY, “Y! Y, HE WAS THE MOST WONRFUL PERSON I’VE EVER KNOWN AND I LOVED HIM EPLY," BEFORE TURNG TO HIS WIFE AND SAYG, " A WAY YOU ULD NEVER UNRSTAND.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}5. "THE OUTG"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE OF THE SHOW’S BIGGT TCH PHRAS, “NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHG WRONG WH THAT,” ME OM THIS SEASON 4 EPISO, WHERE JERRY AND GEE ARE MISTAKEN FOR A GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STEREOTYP LIKE BETTE MIDLER, BROADWAY MILS AND MEN WHO ARE "SGLE, TH AND NEAT" E UP THROUGHOUT THE EPISO. AND GEE FDS HIMSELF AN UNFORTABLE SUATN WATCHG A MALE NURSE GIVG A MALE PATIENT A SPONGE BATH BEHD A CURTA A HOSPAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}6. "THE SMELLY CAR"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALSO THE FOURTH SEASON, GEE ACROSS HIS NOW-EX SAN HOLDG HANDS WH ANOTHER WOMAN AT A VIO STORE AND CIS HE WANTS HER BACK. THAT WON'T BE AS HARD AS SOUNDS, AS KRAMER GETS SAN’S NEW GIRLIEND TO FALL FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GEE EXCLAIMS, “AMAZG! I DRIVE THEM TO LBIANISM, HE BRGS THEM BACK.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}7. "THE STALL"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO DIDN’T HAVE A CSH ON DAN CORTE THE EARLY 90S? THE HOTTIE GUT-STARRED THE FIFTH SEASON OF SEFELD AS ELAE'S ADVENTURE-SEEKG BOYIEND TONY, AND 'S NOT LONG BEFORE SHE AND JERRY REALIZE GEE IS DOTG ON HIM A B TOO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JERRY: “I THK GEE HAS A NON-SEXUAL CSH ON HIM”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELAE: “I THK HE DO, TOO”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JERRY: “I MEAN, EVERY TIME I SEE HIM ’S TONY-THIS AND TONY THAT. GEE IS LIKE A SCHOOL GIRL AROUND HIM.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}8. "THE BEARD"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SEASON 6, ELAE ATTEMPTS THE IMPOSSIBLE– TURNG A GAY MAN STRAIGHT. BUT HER SUCCS IS SHORT-LIVED WHEN ROBERT RETURNS TO HIS "TEAM." JERRY EXPLAS THAT MEN WHO HAVE SEX WH MEN HAVE A DISTCT ADVANTAGE OVER WOMEN: THEY HAVE ACCS TO "THE EQUIPMENT" 24 HOURS A DAY AND KNOW HOW TO E BETTER. #{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}9. "THE KISS HELLO"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JERRY FEELS UNFORTABLE WH PEOPLE WHO KISS HELLO, BUT HIS ATTEMPTS TO AVOID THEM BACKFIRE THIS SEASON 6 EPISO. TO STOP HIS BCHG ABOUT , KRAMER GRABS JERRY AND PLANTS A FIRM ONE ON HIS LIPS JT AS GEE WALKS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOT THE FIRST MALE KISS A S BUT A FUNNY, UNEXPECTED MOMENT JT THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}10. "THE UNRSTUDY"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN ANOTHER SEASON 6 EPISO, GAY IN BETTE MIDLER GUT STARRED AS HERSELF. KRAMER IS HEAVEN, CRADLG HER AFTER SHE'S KNOCKED DOWN DURG A SOFTBALL GAME AND SGG ‘WD BENEATH MY WGS” TO NSOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HE ALSO MAK A MI PASTA STATUE OF THE DIVE MISS M, LLED ‘MARONI MIDLER!’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}11. "THE WIG MASTER"
* john cheever gay *
The book nfsed the extent of her father's alholism, and gently noted his bisexualy; the last years of his life, she wrote, he had found love, of a kd, wh a young man she lled me a volume of Cheever's letters, eded by San's brother, Benjam, who wrote his troductn of how difficult had been to disver the extent of his father's homosexualy, and then olly thanked the poser Ned Rorem for revealg that "for my father, asm was always acpanied by a visn of sunshe, or flowers".
IS JOHN CHEEVER GAY
I looked him up and found out that he was gay/bi, thanks to Sefeld who did he hook up wh, bis his brother?His wiki has a strange paragraph about their relatnship wh each ... * john cheever gay *
And then, I didn't know how much gay activy there'd been…"San lov the book; she thks Bailey's versn of her father is tthful and unflchg, and that ptur him some sential way. In his journals, this manifts self the form of homophobia. Cheever would often scribe his distaste for gay men, whom he regard as effemate, even obscene.
IT’S STILL CHEEVER COUNTRYWH THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW JOHN CHEEVER BGRAPHY, THE MAN’S UNSAVORY SECRETS HAVE BEEN FURTHER DISSECTED. BUT S AFTER HIS ATH HIS WRG STILL F SUBURBAN ENNUI, HNTG THE ICY RIPPL OF FAR OM HEAVEN, REVOLUTNARY ROAD, AND MAD MEN.BY JAM WOLTTMARCH 16, 2009SAVE THIS STORYSAVESAVE THIS STORYSAVEIF A TGE OF MELANCHOLY HNTS THE CKTAIL HOUR, IF A CROQUET MALLET LEFT RELICT ON THE LAWN EVOK A BROKEN MERRIMENT, IF THE BAR R OF A MUTER TRA GIV OFF A STALE WHIFF OF FAILED PROMISE AND BTER ALIMONY, PSE AND PAY HOMAGE TO JOHN CHEEVER. LIGHT A BUG NDLE ON THE PAT HIS HONOR. FOR CHEEVER—NOVELIST, MASTER OF THE SHORT STORY, PROLIFIC DIARIST—IS THE PATRON SAT OF EASTERN SEABOARD PATHOS AND REMPTN, THE EDWARD HOPPER OF SUBURBAN ENNUI, PRERVG MOR EPIPHANI AMBER. DPE HIS PATRICIAN PATA, CHEEVER WAS NO SAT HIS PERSONAL LIFE AND NOT QUE ONE OF NATURE’S NOBLEMEN. THE PUBLITN 1991 OF THE JOURNALS OF JOHN CHEEVER PUT A PERMANENT WRKLE THAT FAçA, PUBLICIZG CHEEVER’S PREVLY CLOAKED BISEXUAL APPET AND POLET PROPENSI, ALONG WH A LSER HOST OF MISERI, VANI, AND MNRGS THAT LEFT AN OILY RIDUE. A GREATER SMIRCH ON CHEEVER’S NAME REGNN WAS FLICTED A YEAR LATER, ON AN EPISO OF SEFELD WHERE GEE COSTANZA (JASON ALEXANR) DISVERED THAT HIS PROSPECTIVE FUTURE FATHER--LAW WAS A FORMER LOVER OF CHEEVER’S, HOARDG A SECRET STASH OF LETTERS OM THE AR MAN. MILLNS OF VIEWERS WHO MAY NEVER HAVE READ A SGLE STORY OF CHEEVER’S NOW HAD HIS INTY BRAND TO THEIR BRAS AS A GAY PUNCH LE.[#IMAGE: /PHOTOS/54CBF65444A199085E8838]|||WANT MORE WOLTT? VIS HIS BLOG ON |||BUT IF SOME OF THE MAHOGANY RICHNS HAS WORN OFF OF CHEEVER’S DIVIDUAL REPUTATN FOLLOWG HIS ATH, 1982, THE FLUENCE OF HIS IMAGATN AND SENSIBILY HAS SWUM EVER EPER TO THE CULTURAL BLOODSTREAM, S UNIQUE FORMULA OF MAGIL ELIXIR AND EMBALMG FLUID WDG S WAY THROUGH EVERYTHG OM ORDARY PEOPLE TO THE ICE STORM TO AMERIN BETY TO FAR OM HEAVEN TO REVOLUTNARY ROAD TO TV’S MAD MEN. NEARLY EVERY STYLIZED RETRO EXAMATN OF THE HIDN TOOTH Y OF THE AMERIN DREAM OW CHEEVER SYMBOLIC ROYALTI (SEE ALSO “RETHKG THE AMERIN DREAM,” BY DAVID KAMP). AS THIS UNTRY EDG TO THE PROSPECT OF LOSG SO MUCH OF WHAT ONCE HAD, A VAST VALUG OF EVERYTHG TOOK FOR GRANTED, THE BTERSWEET PANG OF CHEEVER’S NOSTALGIA AND THE BLEAK APPREHENSN UNRLYG IDLE CHCHAT HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE APROPOS—PERFECT TIMG FOR THE PUBLITN OF BLAKE BAILEY’S CHEEVER: A LIFE (KNOPF), A BGRAPHY OF MONUMENTAL HEFT AND PICKY ASIS THAT CERTIFI CHEEVER’S ENDURG RELEVANCE WHILE SMACKG HIS WRIST WH A NUN’S LER. AFTER ONE OF CHEEVER’S TYPIL LYRIL EFFNS, HIS BGRAPHER CHIS, “PERHAPS, BUT THE FACT REMAED THAT HE WAS IMPOTENT, AND OFTEN DNK BEFORE LUNCH.” EVEN WHEN YOU’RE AD, YOU N’T GET AWAY WH ANYTHG.MY GOD, THE SUBURBS! THEY ENCIRCLED THE CY’S BOUNDARI LIKE ENEMY TERRORY, AND WE THOUGHT OF THEM AS A LOSS OF PRIVACY, A CSPOOL OF NFORMY AND A LIFE OF SCRIBABLE DREARS SOME SPL-LEVEL VILLAGE WHERE THE PLACE-NAME APPEARED THE NEW YORK TIM ONLY WHEN SOME BORED HOEWIFE BLEW OFF HER HEAD WH A SHOTGUN. —JOHN CHEEVER, ESQUIRE, JULY 1960.IN THE HALO’D CIRCL WHERE THE CRAFT OF FICTN IS A VOTNAL LLG, CHEEVER IS HELD UP AS AN EXEMPLAR OF A WRER’S WRER, TENDG TO HIS TY PLOT OF FALLEN PARADISE. FIRST PUBLISHED AT THE AGE OF 18, WH AN ACUNT THE NEW REPUBLIC OF BEG EXPELLED OM THAYER AMY (A PRIVATE SCHOOL), CHEEVER HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO LAND UNR THE AEGIS OF *THE NEW YORKER’*S FICTN EDOR WILLIAM MAXWELL, WHOSE SOLICU AND SELF-EFFACEMENT WERE THE STUFF OF VATIN LEGEND. IN 1938, CHEEVER, WHO HAD PUBLISHED A FEW STORI THE MAGAZE UNR KATHARE WHE’S EDORIAL WAND, WAS LATERALED OFF TO MAXWELL. “MAXWELL’S ATTENTIVENS WAS ALL THE MORE FLATTERG—AND HIS EDORIAL ADVICE VALUABLE—BEE HE HIMSELF WAS ALREADY, AT AGE THIRTY, THE THOR OF TWO WELL-REGARD NOVELS, BRIGHT CENTER OF HEAVEN AND THEY CAME LIKE SWALLOWS,” BAILEY WR. “FOR MOST OF HIS REER, THOUGH, HIS OWN REPUTATN WOULD BE ECLIPSED BY THE GREATER FAME OF THE WRERS HE EDED: NABOKOV, SALGER, WELTY, AND (AS MAXWELL PUT ) ‘THREE WONRFUL WRERS ALL NAMED JOHN’—O’HARA, UPDIKE, AND CHEEVER.” UNR MAXWELL’S TUTELAGE, CHEEVER PRODUCED A BASKET OF GOLN EGGS, STORI THAT BY THE LATE 40S—“MIRACULO YEARS FOR CHEEVER”—PLACED HIM NEAR THE TOP TIER OF THE FICTN WRERS AT THE NEW YORKER, AN EXCLIVE ATERNY THAT CLUD O’HARA, NABOKOV, SALGER, AND IRW SHAW. BUT LERARY CHET DIDN’T STOCK THE PANTRY OR VER THE DRY CLEANG, PECIALLY DURG DRY SPELLS. “IN HIS JOURNAL CHEEVER WROTE, ‘WE ARE AS POOR AS WE EVER HAVE BEEN. THE RENT IS NOT PAID, WE HAVE VERY LTLE TO EAT.… WE HAVE MANY BILLS.’ DETERMED TO WRE ‘A STORY A WEEK,’ HE WAS REJECTED FOUR TIM A ROW BY THE NEW YORKER, WHICH MEANT HE WOULDN’T BE RECEIVG A YEARLY BON EHER. FACED WH DIRE POVERTY, AND FORCED TO WRG ‘LIFELS AND TTABLE’ FICTN, CHEEVER CHID HIMSELF FOR ENTERTAG AN ‘UNREASONABLE’ GREE OF PETULANCE.”A PETULANCE FLAMED TO A RASH OF ENVY BY THE THUMPG SUCCS OF HIS IEND IRW SHAW’S WORLD WAR II EPIC, THE YOUNG LNS. IT WAS LIKE BEG SLAPPED ACROSS THE FACE WH A FANCY WALLET LISTENG TO SHAW, WHO WAS RAKG SCREENPLAY MONEY ON THE SI AS THE ROYALTI ROLLED , FLNTG HIS JACKPOT STAT AS POSTWAR FICTN’S NEWT GOLN BOY. “FOR CHEEVER, WAS EXQUISE AGONY TO HEAR SHAW PLA, BLHELY OVER LUNCH, ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY HE’D HAVE TO MAKE THIS YEAR ORR TO PAY TAX ON HIS EARNGS OM LAST YEAR.” THIS AS CHEEVER PREPARED TO ATTEND *THE NEW YORKER’*S 25TH-ANNIVERSARY GALA A SENDHAND TUXEDO. CHEEVER WOULD LATER FEEL OVERSHADOWED AND OUTMANVERED AT THE NEW YORKER BY J. D. SALGER (WHICH WAS LIKE BEG UPSTAGED BY THE INVISIBLE MAN), DONALD BARTHELME, AND THAT GENUO PUP, JOHN UPDIKE.READG BAILEY’S BGRAPHY RENFIRMS AN IMPRSN OF CHEEVER THAT I’VE RRIED AROUND MY LOCKET FOR YEARS—THAT THE MAN HAD A LOT OF HAM ACTOR HIM, WHICH HE SERVED PRETTY THICK. LIKE ILLTR GLAZED HAMS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SUCH AS JOHN BARRYMORE, CHARL LGHTON, AND JACK NICHOLSON, CHEEVER ENLISTED HIS DIENCE AS -NSPIRATORS, LCULATG HIS EFFECTS DOWN TO THE LAST NOëL COWARD DROP OF SHERRY. HIS ROLE-PLAYG BEGAN OUT OF SOCIAL NECSY AS HE WENT THROUGH THE MOTNS OF KEEPG UP APPEARANC, LIKE A CHARACTER A MIMALIST RTOON STRIP OR A JACQU TATI EDY. AFTER CHEEVER, HIS WIFE, MARY, AND THEIR DGHTER, SIE (WHO WOULD GROW UP TO BE AN THOR HER OWN RIGHT), MOVED TO AN APARTMENT ON SUTTON PLACE THAT THEY ULD BARELY AFFORD, HE TOOK PAS TO PASS HIMSELF OFF AS A MEMBER GOOD STANDG OF THE RPORATE RAT RACE. “ALMOST EVERY MORNG FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, HE’D PUT ON HIS ONLY SU AND RI THE ELEVATOR WH OTHER MEN LEAVG FOR WORK; CHEEVER, HOWEVER, WOULD PROCEED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO A STORAGE ROOM THE BASEMENT, WHERE HE’D DOFF HIS SU AND WRE HIS BOXERS UNTIL NOON, THEN DRS AGA AND ASCEND FOR LUNCH.” HE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN WEARG PRISON STRIP, SO REGIMENTED WAS HIS ROUTE, AND CHEEVER WOULDN’T DISVER HIS REAL, BREATHG PERSONA UNTIL HE DROPPED THIS OKIE-CUTTER POSE OF UNIFORMY AND MOVED TO THE SUBURBS, WHERE HIS NER WASP ULD UNBEND AND SPCE UP S AFFECTATNS. HIS WARDROBE SELECTN WAS SHABBY CHIC BEFORE THE PHRASE AND STYLE BEME VOGUISH. HIS ACCENT BETIFIED TO A VERABLE FLUTE. “WHEN APPEARG ON THE DICK CAVETT SHOW, OR PUTTG AN IMPUNT BARKEEP HIS PLACE,” BAILEY WR, “CHEEVER BEME ALMOST A PARODY OF THE POMPO TOFF (‘LIKE THURSTON HOWELL III ON GILLIGAN’S ISLAND,’ THE WRER JAM KAPLAN OBSERVED, ‘OR CHATSWORTH OSBORNE DOBIE GILLIS’), BUT AT OTHER TIM—RELAXED, CRACKG JOK—HE SOUND NOT UNLIKE A BOY OM THE SOUTH SHORE WH AN ENGLISH MOTHER.” OUR LERARY LIFE WOULD BE POORER WHOUT S THEATRIL TOUCH-UPS, AND CHEEVER’S ARE NO MORE TO BE BEGDGED AND CENSURED THAN THE PILE OF BUTTERK BATTER THAT JAM DICKEY BEME OR ISAK DEN’S EYE SHADOW. A LTLE SHAMMG DON’T HURT AS LONG AS DON’T BEE THE LAST LE OF BRTLE FENSE. BUT AS CHEEVER GREW OLR AND HIS DRKG SPUN TO A KAMIKAZE SPIRAL, HIS MANNERISMS VELOPED A SPERATE FLUTTER AND HOLLOW RG, AS IF ECHOG OM A CRACKED SHELL. HE MIGHT FOOL HIS FANS WH FTIAN ELOQUENCE, BUT HE ULDN’T BLUFF THE PSYCHIATRIC STAFF OF MANHATTAN’S SMHERS ALHOLISM TREATMENT AND TRAG CENTER, WHERE HE WAS ADMTED 1975 AFTER A BGE THAT LEFT HIM “NAKED AND HERENT.” THEY WEREN’T THERE TO HUMOR HIS LORDSHIP. BAILEY WR:BULLIED AT EVERY TURN FOR HIS “FALSE LIGHT-HEARTEDNS” AND “GRANDSY,” CHEEVER RETREATED TO A VAST, DULENT HUY. “OH, BUT OFURSEYOU’RE RIGHT,” HE’D MUTTER ( SO MANY WORDS) WHEN CHALLENGED. NOBODY WAS FOOLED OR AMED. CAROL KMAN, A STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST, REMARKED THAT CHEEVER REMD HER OF URIAH HEEP: “HE IS A CLASSIC NIER WHO MOV AND OUT OF FOC,” SHE WROTE HER PROGRS NOT. “HE DISLIK SEEG SELF NEGATIVELY AND SEEMS TO HAVE TERNALIZED MANY RATHER IMPER UPPER CLASS BOSTON ATTUS WHICH HE RIDICUL AND EMBRAC AT THE SAME TIME.”IT WAS HIS EROTIC LIFE THAT CHEEVER NSTCTED HIS MOST ORNATE ARTIFICE, SUBJECT TO EROSN. ALTHOUGH HE WOULD STRAY OM THE MARRIAGE BED THAT HE OFTEN FOUND SO LD AND FORBIDDG FOR SEXUAL TERLUS WH MEN, HE PRID HIMSELF ON MATAG A MASCULE ONT WH NO MTY ACCENTS. SWISH HE ABHORRED. “ALTHOUGH HE LOVED MEN,” SAN CHEEVER WR HER BGRAPHIL MEMOIR OF HER FATHER, HOME BEFORE DARK, “HE FEARED AND SPISED WHAT HE FED AS THE HOMOSEXUAL MUNY; THE LIMP-WRISTED, LISPG MEN WHO ARE SOMETIM THE SELF-APPOTED REPRENTATIV OF HOMOSEXUAL LOVE OUR CULTURE. MEN WHO N GIFT SHOPS, SELL ANTIQU, STRIKE BARGAS OVER PORCELA TEA SETS.”FEAR OF EFFEMACY AND DISDA FOR ADORABLE BRIC-A-BRAC DROVE CHEEVER TO POLICE THE PREMIS LIKE A BUTCH WATCHDOG HIS ROLE AS PATRIARCH, BROWBEATG HIS POOR SON, BEN, OVER ANY FEY ACTN, ACRDG TO BAILEY. “YOU LGH LIKE A WOMAN!,” CHEEVER WOULD SNAP AT THE BOY WHEN HE GIGGLED (TERTGLY, THE SMHERS STAFF WERE STCK BY CHEEVER’S OWN CHRONIC TTERG), AND HE ACCED HIS SON OF PAMPERG HIMSELF LIKE SOME STARLET WHEN HE TOOK BUBBLE BATHS. BEN LERALLY HAD TO WATCH HIS EVERY STEP. “[BEN] LIKED TO DANCE ONT OF THE BATHROOM MIRROR—PRETENDG HE WAS A GUNSLGER WHO ULD DANCE SO WELL HE ULD DODGE BULLETS—UNTIL ONE DAY HIS FATHER WALKED : ‘THAT,’ SAID BEN, ‘WAS THE END OF MY DANCG ONT OF THE MIRROR.’” AND WH THE PROMISE OF BEG A FUTURE BILLY ELLT.WHAT BMTENED CHEEVER TO HIS YOUNG PROTéGé MAX ZIMMER, AN ASPIRG WRER WHOM HE HAD MET WHILE VISG THE UNIVERSY OF UTAH, WAS THAT HE WORE WBOY BOOTS AND “HAD NONE OF THE ATTRIBUT OF A SEXUAL IRREGULAR,” SUCH AS RAMPANT ANTIQUG ON WEEKENDS. USG HIS CLOUT AS LERARY WIZARD, CHEEVER CHAMPNED ZIMMER’S WORK AND GOT HIM A SPOT AT THE ARTISTS’ LONY YADDO, SARATOGA SPRGS, NEW YORK, AND HE EXPECTED SOMETHG NICE RETURN. “I KNEW BEFORE I LEFT FOR SARATOGA,” THE MORMON-RAISED MAX REALIZED WH A HEAVY HEART, “THAT I’D HAVE TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER HAND-JOB.” ALTHOUGH CHEEVER SISTED HE HAD NO TENTN OF FEEDG UPON MAX’S WPOKE NOCENCE LIKE A PRAYG MANTIS, HE WAS A WILY CS WHEN ME TO GETTG HIS WAY. WHENEVER ZIMMER BROUGHT A MANCRIPT TO THE MASTER FOR APPRAISAL AND ADVICE, CHEEVER, WHO BELIEVED THAT SEXUAL AROAL SHARPENED HIS EYIGHT AND NCENTRATN, WOULD ASK THAT MAX ASSIST UNBLURRG HIS VISN. SIGH; WAS TIME TO GIVE THE OLD HANDLE ANOTHER CRANK. I AM IRRISTIBLY REMD OF THE EDIAN LOUIS C.K.’S REQUIEM FOR A HALFHEARTED WANK: “THAT HAND JOB WAS PROBABLY THE SADST THG THAT EVER HAPPENED AMERI. THERE SHOULD BE A MONUMENT TO THAT HAND JOB, WH A REFLECTG POOL, WHERE YOU JT S AND THK, ‘GOD THAT WAS FUCKG SAD.’” IT WAS MORE THAN SAD FOR ZIMMER. IT HAD AN AIR OF GENTLE ERCN. AS A UTNARY LSON, CHEEVER WOULD VOKE THE EXAMPLE OF AN EARLIER PROTéGé, ALLAN GURGAN, WHO WOULD EARN BT-SELLG SUCCS WH OLST LIVG CONFERATE WIDOW TELLS ALL. “GURGAN … WAS OFTEN VOKED FOR MAX’S BENEF, BOTH AS THE EMBODIMENT OF TE HOMOSEXUALY (‘HE SUFFERS ACUTELY OM THE LOSS OF GRAVY THAT SEEMS TO FOLLOW HAVG A CK UP YOUR ASS OR DOWN YOUR THROAT ONCE TOO OFTEN’) AND AS LIVG PROOF THAT WAS UNWISE TO SPURN CHEEVER’S ADVANC. AS HE TOLD MAX MORE THAN ONCE, HE’D HELPED GET ‘MOR HEROISM’ PUBLISHED THE NEW YORKER; BUT NOW THAT HE’D WHDRAWN HIS PATRONAGE, GURGAN WOULD NEVER APPEAR THE MAGAZE AGA.” AND GURGAN DIDN’T APPEAR THE NEW YORKER AGA WHILE CHEEVER WAS STILL ALIVE.[#IMAGE: /PHOTOS/54CBF65444A199085E8838]|||WANT MORE WOLTT? VIS HIS BLOG ON |||IT N’T BE SAID THAT CHEEVER PLAYED Y HIS MANVERS WH THE OPPOSE SEX. HE RRIED ON AN TERMTENT FLURRY OF AN AFFAIR WH THE ACTRS HOPE LANGE (THE STAR OF THE BT OF EVERYTHG AND TV’S THE GHOST & MRS. MUIR) ABOUT WHICH HE CROWED FAR AND WI, UNTENANCG HER ADVANCG YEARS WH A URTLY TWIRL, NFIDG TO HIS JOURNAL: “THAT HER VOICE MAY BE SHRILL, THAT HER LOOKS MAY BE PASSG, THAT THERE IS VERY LTLE RRPONNCE OUR TAST ARE THGS I KNOW AND DON’T RE ABOUT AT ALL.” THERE IS SO MUCH ONE IS WILLG TO OVERLOOK WHEN ONE IS DIDDLG A CELEBRY. BUT WASN’T RECIPROL, THIS FORBEARANCE, AS ICE FORMED ON HOPE LANGE’S HIGHER SLOP. “THE CISIVE EPISO HAD OCCURRED AFTER A RECENT LUNCH WHEN, RETURNG TO HER APARTMENT, CHEEVER HAD DROPPED HIS PANTS AND WAED. ‘I N’T HELP YOU,’ SHE SAID, AND MA A PHONE LL.” LEAVG HIM DANGLG. EVEN ARSER THAN CHEEVER’S C SHORTCUTS THROUGH THE ART OF SCTN (ENTER ROOM, DROP DRAWERS) WAS THE SMARMY WAY HE EXTOLLED WOMANLY CHARMS TO HIS FELLOW VALIERS. TO FRERICK EXLEY, THE THOR OF A FAN’S NOT, WH WHOM HE WENT ROLLICKG AT THE IOWA WRERS’ WORKSHOP, CHEEVER WROTE, “WE SEEM TO HAVE SOMETHG BASILLY MON, SOMETHG MORE LAMBENT, I HOPE, THAN HOOTCH AND CUNT.” AND TO MAX ZIMMER HE EXULTED THE AFTERGLOW OF A GALA DNER CELEBRATG THE PUBLITN OF THE STORI OF JOHN CHEEVER THAT WAS HELD HIS HONOR AT LUTèCE, WHERE HE WAS SEATED BETWEEN THE ACTRS LREN BALL AND MARIA TUCCI (THE WIFE OF THE LLECTN’S EDOR), “BASK[G] THAT AGRANCE OF BEAVER WE BOTH SO ENJOY.” I’M SURE THE EVENG WAS A TREAT FOR THEM TOO.OH, THOSE SUBURBAN SUNDAY NIGHTS, THOSE SUNDAY NIGHT BLU! THOSE PARTG WEEKEND GUTS, THOSE STALE CKTAILS, THOSE HALF-AD FLOWERS, THOSE TRIPS TO HARMON TO TCH THE CENTURY, THOSE POSTMORTEMS AND PICKUP SUPPERS! —JOHN CHEEVER, “O YOUTH AND BETY!”NOW WE E TO THE EVABLE STATN STOP THE PIECE WHERE WE SAY, BUT ENOUGH ABOUT THE LIFE, WH ALL S GCHE LAPS AND UNKEMPT PLITNS—WHAT ABOUT THE WORK? THE WORK HOLDS. THE WORK WHSTANDS. AS BAILEY OBSERV, CHEEVER—WHOSE 1977 NOVEL, FALNER, SRED HIM THE VER OF NEWSWEEK (DUE LARGE PART TO DGHTER SAN’S EDORIAL ROLE AT THE MAGAZE) AND WHOSE LLECTED STORI LNIZED HIS PLACE LETTERS (“NOT MERELY THE PUBLISHG EVENT OF THE ‘SEASON’ BUT A GRAND OCSN ENGLISH LERATURE,” MARVELED JOHN LEONARD)—“DIED ALMOST AT THE PNACLE OF HIS FAME.” AND SPE THE BGRAPHIL AND TOBGRAPHIL DISCLOSUR SCE, CHEEVER RETAS A PNACLE RA. HIS WORTH AS THOR HAS NOT SUFFERED THE STEEP DROP-OFF OF HIS FELLOW JOHN, O’HARA. IT ISN’T SIMPLY THAT CHEEVER WROTE MORE HANDSOMELY THAN O’HARA, BUT THAT HIS BT STORI HAVE AN EMOTNAL REACH AND REGRETFUL ACHE THAT THE MORE STONYHEARTED O’HARA WAS PABLE OF, SO TENT WAS HE ON LAYG OUT THE REAL SI DIRT ON HIS UNTRY-CLUB LO. WHATEVER SI DIRT CHEEVER EXTRACTED ON THE SECRET VIC OF SUBURBAN WAS GOLD-FLAKED WH A TENR IDOLIZG OF THE CLOUDS, WD, SUN, RA, SWIMMG POOLS, TENNIS URTS, AND ELEGANT GREENERY THAT POSED THEIR MIATURE KGDOMS. IN THE BT CHEEVER STORI (HIS NOVELS I FD TOO HODGEPODGY), THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHG WILD READY TO BREAK LOOSE ONCE THE LEASH OF PROPRIETY SNAPS, WHICH OFTEN TAK ONLY A FEW DRKS AND A BARED BRA STRAP. LIKE F. STT FZGERALD, CHEEVER WAS A BOTTED ROMANTIC WHO MIGHT SLOP AROUND PERSON BUT WHO KEPT A TT RE ON HIS LYRIL GIFTS, STRIVG FOR AN EXALTED PRECISN OF PERCEPTN THAT WOULD FE HIS SCRIPTIVE PASSAG WH ENOUGH RAPTURE TO KEEP THE MONS TEMPORARILY AT BAY. DPE THE EPIC BOOZG (“YOU DRK LIKE SIBERIAN WORKER!” HE WAS ONCE HURRAHED) AND OTHER DISSIPATNS, CHEEVER HAD A TREMENDO STAMA THAT SAW HIM THROUGH TO THE TRIUMPHANT FISH. A STAMA AND MISSNARY ZEAL WORTHY OF THE PROTAGONIST HIS CLASSIC STORY “THE SWIMMER,” WHO SWAM OM POOL TO POOL A QUIXOTIC QUT TO REACH HOME: “HE WAS NOT A PRACTIL JOKER NOR WAS HE A FOOL BUT HE WAS TERMEDLY ORIGAL AND HAD A VAGUE AND MOST IA OF HIMSELF AS A LEGENDARY FIGURE.” NOT A BAD EPAPH FOR CHEEVER HIMSELF, WHOSE VAGUE MOSTY WAS ALL PART OF THE ACT.JAM WOLTT IS A VANY FAIR NTRIBUTG EDOR.MOST POPULAROUR FLAG MEANS DEATH SEASON 2: EXCLIVE FIRST LOOKBY SARAH CATHERALLFLORENCE PUGH SAYS CHRISTOPHER NOLAN “APOLOGIZED” FOR HER SMALL OPPENHEIMER ROLEBY SAVANNAH WALSHHOW MK, THIEL, ZUCKERBERG, AND ANDRESEN—FOUR BILLNAIRE TECHNO-OLIGARCHS—ARE CREATG AN ALTERNATE, AUTOCRATIC REALYBY JONATHAN TAPLJAM WOLTT
“Y, my father was a difficult, alholic, closeted gay man who was sometim mean to his fay. What seems to have been lost wh time is his extraordary humor.” * john cheever gay *
At the Iowa Wrers' Workshop, Cheever met the gay novelist Allan Gurgan. " There was a time, Ben tells me, when he began to wonr whether he was, fact, gay, and only actg heterosexual to please his father.
In fact, I remember Max flirtg wh me a ltle, and I was shocked; I thought Daddy would be horrified if he knew Max was a homosexual. The lerary appraisals may be fuzzy but what to very sharp foc is people's endurg disfort wh Cheever's gay life, twenty-seven years after his ath.
JOHN CHEEVER’S ALHOLIC DEMONS—AND WORLDLY GLAMOURLITERARY LEGENDS“Y, MY FATHER WAS A DIFFICULT, ALHOLIC, CLOSETED GAY MAN WHO WAS SOMETIM MEAN TO HIS FAY. WHAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST WH TIME IS HIS EXTRAORDARY HUMOR.”SAN CHEEVERUPDATED MAY 18, 2020 11:41AM EDT / PUBLISHED MAR. 03, 2009 1:06AM EST BACHRACH/GETTYMY FATHER DIED ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO, AND I MISS HIM EVERY DAY. HE WAS JT 70, AND HIS FIRST GRANDCHILD, MY DGHTER, WAS ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD. HIS ATH WAS A MEDIL MISTAKE; A DOCTOR WHO OPERATED ON HIS KIDNEY FOUND A MALIGNANCY AND DIDN’T TELL ANYONE, AND SIX MONTHS LATER WHEN MY FATHER ULDN’T WALK, TURNED OUT THE NCER HAD GONE TO HIS BON. READG CHEEVER: A LIFE (KNOPF), BLAKE BAILEY’S MARVELO BGRAPHY OF MY FATHER PUBLISHED THIS MONTH, IS A STRANGE, EXHILARATG AND PAFUL EXPERIENCE. SEEG YOUR OWN STORY SOMEONE ELSE’S BOOK IS ALWAYS DISORIENTG; ’S LIKE SUDNLY NOTICG AT A PARTY THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS WEARG YOUR FAVORE RED DRS AND THAT, WORSE LUCK, SHE LOOKS BETTER THAN YOU DO.Y, MY FATHER WAS A DIFFICULT, ALHOLIC, CLOSETED GAY MAN WHO WAS SOMETIM MEAN TO HIS FAY. WHAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST WH TIME IS HIS EXTRAORDARY HUMOR. BLAKE TERVIEWED ME MANY TIM OVER THE YEARS DURG WHICH HE WROTE, AND MY BROTHERS, MOTHER, AND I ARE ALL QUOTED OFTEN AND ACCURATELY HIS PAG. WHEN WE SPOKE, I OFTEN HECTORED HIM ABOUT THE NECSY OF SEPARATG MY FATHER’S ART AND MY FATHER’S LIFE. I AM NOT THE LTLE GIRL THE SORROWS OF G; MY FATHER IS NOT THE TROUBLED MAN THE ANGEL OF THE BRIDGE. NO NFLATN, I WOULD SIST, ALTHOUGH ED BOTH STORI AND MANY OTHERS ARE BASED ON THGS THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.SAN CHEEVER
" Cheever "had been a disastro was also a closeted, self-loathg homosexual.
For a remr of the ongog anti-gay hostily other rners of the lerary world, Updike adds Robert Gottlieb's experience of edg Cheever's journals for publitn: “There were...
His homosexualy, furtively explored his boyhood but then supprsed... In turn, he worried at Ben wh spicns that the boy had homosexual tennci. Yet one of the least herent of Cheever’s late stori, “The Leav, the Ln-Fish, and the Bear” (published Esquire 1974), he most nakedly sought to nvce himself, and the rear, that male homosexualy is nocent, of a piece wh his beloved world of light and air and female bety.