Young Man from the Provinces

As someone who has read a good deal of gay literature I alighted upon this book with a great deal of anticipation and was not disappointed. I have a keen interest in many of the people mentioned by Alan Helms yet found myself becoming very interested in him. As far as dishing the dirt (who isn't interested in a bit of juicy gossip) well there's not much of it, it's very restrained. Yet I found myself grateful for the lack of it, in an age where things are stripped bare and nothing is left unsaid, it was suddenly refreshing not to be regaled with someone's intimate bedroom habits. I found it a lyrical book, for example "the whole world focussed in the cone of light from a reading lamp as the words moved forward on the page, the fabric of knowledge rising in the expectant silence" melodious prose indeed. Touching on the subject of name dropping - well it's hard to know what else he could do, this is a memoir of someone unknown to much of the public, but his fame for the rest of us lay in the people he associated with, not much point writing the whole book about the boy next door. It will surprise some when I say I found it humble, certainly those for whom there are too many references to his beauty. This is deliberate, setting the scene nicely ready to turn the tables on himself and us and make us experience the despair of losing youth, beauty, body and hair (things that he has relied on so heavily) - never sparing, he acknowledges his faults, the fact that he lied, that he has stolen, that he has a dark side (haven't we all). It is a skilfully crafted, accomplished book - the death of his mother is very moving - international boy prostitute turned professor, you couldn't make it up - I so hoped that in the end he might find true love but remembered that this is real life - not the movies. Perhaps the only criticism was the lack of photographs; they are always helpful in drawing the reader that little bit closer. At this point I would like to add that I am a straight, middle aged woman and realise that the subject matter of this book is not for everyone which is to be regretted as it is brave and at times, beautiful. Having finished it my one regret is that I will never meet Mr Helms.

I don't want to give away the ending, but most readers can tell that this memoir is about re-assessing the past - using some insight gained later in life to review and accept what was bewildering in the rush of living it. This raises it above autobiography and makes it a work of art searching for meaning. Those who thought the book an exercise in name-dropping have totally missed the point. For those readers searching for some sense out of life, this can be a valuable and moving experience. Although certainly not limited to this audience, it will have special relevance for gay men in one form of recovery or the other. You will feel as if you are reading your own story - and that is a gift. The fact that it is also beautifully written and captures a history now lost only adds value.

This is a wonderfully insightful book. Filled with both uplifting joys and terrible tragedies, Helms' story brings together the most potent emotions from homosexuality, alcoholism, substance abuse and even aging. The broad range of the piece is staggering and, in such a short book, quite an accomplishment. There's something in this book for everyone with a troubled soul, and troubles enough for those without. Its end, though, brings some closure. No empty promises of a bright tomorrow, but hope for better today.

Want to know what it was like to be a young, attractive gay man living in New York in the 1950s and '60s? Was it Glamorous? Sexy? Intriguing? For Alan Helms, it was all those things. However, that's only a small part of the fascinating story of Alan Helms' life, and although Alan has experienced some extraordinary things, his search for self-awareness and ordinary happiness is one many gay men should find familiar and insightful. Helms is a talented writer and he delivers a message with his honest and very entertaining style. As Alan observes, "life is a mixed bag of blessings and an endless paradox." He's right, and that's what makes it so interesting.

This is the only autobiography of any former glamour-boy worth reading. The first third could stand alone as a powerful story of an abused and lonely childhood. The second third is the record of the glamorous period, but even there, the author is discreet about details--disappointingly discreet, perhaps, to some readers. There's actually nor more name-dropping than necessary to establish the author's credentials. The author wrote this book not to record social highlights or sexual highjinks, but to share his evolving thoughts and feelings. The last third is the story of his crash, his efforts to come to terms with who he was/could be, and to build a new adult life. We have manny giddy reminiscences of crazy days, but this book is actually what used to be called a spiritual autobiography. It's real. Bravo!