Onyx

Ray Henriques has success love friendship ... but lately its not enough. Yet its not just Ray who is on a quest for deeper meaning. For Jesse Rays lover of ten years it is a quest accelerated by his imminent death from AIDS. And for young married father of two Mike Tedesco it is a search for the heart of masculinity. The sexual exploration which begins when Ray and Mike meet awakens a restlessness in both men which resoundingly alters their future paths. As Rays life begins to draw him increasingly into the future a future without Jesse he attempts to tether himself to the here and now with frequent visits to a past where lifes answers seemed simpler and more meaningful. But when Jesses fundamentalist Christian mother rolls into town to take charge of her sons final weeks he is yanked from his reverie to face an opponent unlike any he has ever known. Marked by shifting points of view humor descriptive brilliance and unexpected revelation Onyx is a multifaceted exploration of inner lives motivation love and the sometimes hollow center beneath a polished surface. First published to acclaim in 2001 this new edition features a 2019 foreword by the author. About Felice Picano: A five-time Lambda Literary Award nominee Felice Picanos books include the best-selling novels Like People in History and The Book of Lies. Along with Edmund White Andrew Holleran Robert Ferro Michael Grumley Christopher Cox and George Whitmore he founded The Violet Quill to promote and increase the visibility of gay authors and their works. His 12th novel Justify My Sins was published in 2019. Press Notice: The Godfather of Gay Lit - Richard BurnettPicano has always drawn his main characters as gay heroes unashamed and unafraid of who they are and what life has to offer whether positive or negative. This ultimately is the measure of Picanos genius. - Greg Herren Lambda Literary Book ReportPicanos Onyx enhance[s] his reputation as a major chronicler of gay life and culture - Publishers Weekly