Sam

by Lonnie Coleman

What was it like being "different" in 1959? For some it was hiding one's self from the puritanical world, but for some in the sophisticated artistic scenes of the major cities, it was more complicated. Lonnie Coleman was breaking a lot of taboos in 1959 by writing with any sympathy at all about homosexuality, but in SAM he goes even farther and gives his characters a full dimension of virtues and flaws, showing how difficult it was, even for the enlightened, to live a rational life in the midst of nation-wide ignorance.

Genres: Fiction, LGBT

Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Born William Laurence "Lonnie" Coleman. American novelist and playwright best known for writing the Beulah Land trilogy. His first novel was published in 1944. Coleman was an associate editor at Ladies Home Journal, 1947-1950, and at Collier's, 1951-1955.

Coleman's 1959 novel "Sam" is considered a groundbreaking novel in American literature in its depiction of homosexuality and metropolitan gay life.

In 1974, his book "Beulah Land" was a New York Times Best Seller. His novels "Beulah Land" and "Look Away, Beulah Land" were filmed in 1980 as the NBC miniseries Beulah Land starring Lesley Ann Warren, Michael Sarrazin. Meredith Baxter, and Don Johnson.

Coleman had three plays produced on Broadway, but none were successful.

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with any gay-themed novel written prior to Stonewall, you have to look at it with double vision - both how it reads today and how it would have read back when it was first written/published. If seen with the latter consciousness, Coleman's book is nothing less than astonishing. None of the gay characters (with one possible exception - more on that later) have a problem about their sexuality - of course, they are all rich, well-educated and WHITE - but still - no one is tortured about their homosexuality, which is downright radical for 1959. They live their lives pretty much as everyone else does, with their sex lives playing a rather modest role as a whole.

The story is basically more about the titular character, a wealthy publisher, and his relationship with his female best friend (or 'fag-hag' in the more recent vernacular), Addie - but it also encompasses his dealings with his untalented but ambitious live-in lover, aspiring actor Walter, and various of his friends, coworkers and assorted hangers-on in the publishing/theatrical circles of late '50's Manhattan. Much of this reads somewhat like a gay Valley of the Dolls - albeit written 7 years prior to that game-changer of a novel. And an entire chapter takes place in a gay bathhouse - somewhere I don't think any other author had ever ventured into previously!

The prose often gets mighty purple (or lavender, perhaps?), and some of the contrivances sometimes seem far-fetched (too many characters tend to fall in love at first sight) - but it does have what counts as a happy ending, itself a novel departure for the time, with everyone paired off satisfactorily - with the exception of Addie's ex-husband, who in a somewhat out-of-character and superfluous penultimate chapter turns out far more heinous and violent, due to internalized homophobia, than previously suspected.

Ultimately, though, SAM is a fast-paced and entertaining page-turner, and if looked at with a historical eye, is quite an eye-opener.

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

More appalled by the smoking...

...than I was by the gender politics. Pretty solid for 1959. There were so many moving pieces that I wondered why Author Coleman didn't get to the point sooner just to get them offstage.

Maybe B+ now, but a solid A in its day.

[Pat T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Sam. This book is full of smart dialogue, the accounts of homosexual life in post-war east coast America and at the very heart of it, a discussion about the intimacy and love and how many of these can a person fit in one's life. It's a very loose parallel but the structure of the book reminded me of E.M.Forster's Maurice. chapter 17 and the conversation between Sam and Richard is probably the most heartfelt and self-conscious discussion of love and commitment I've personally read about. The writing style is very smart and funny, the characters, as vile as some of them turned out to be, were fascinatingly drawn, the plot constantly kept moving, if not through action then definitely through dialogue. It is so just endearing reading such a brave, sober account of one man's assessment of his life, what he wants of it. Even at his lowest, Sam never lost his composure, perhaps even to the point of turning frigid,vand I find it so interesting that Coleman used Sam almost militant command over and control of his life and faculties in the context of homosexual love. Despite the threat both from within and outside of Sam's gay circle, he never lost his integrity and his dignity.

[Angie Engles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I had preconceived notions about _Sam_, I have to say I am pleasantly surprised that I am still thinking about it and also by how much it is both kind of "trashy" and still an important read. Lonnie Coleman's writing reminds me a lot of Jacqueline Susann's and I like that. What is far more striking for me, though, is how there are several different passages that speak to me, as if directly, reminding me that no matter how different the main character may be from you, there are still universal things that hit you with both reassurance (i.e. "you are not alone") and uncomfortable truth.

A lot of drama revolves around Sam's life and the people in it, some of which is very upsetting and even jarring. I tend to shy away from high theatrics, but Lonnie Coleman has a witty way with words, "gets" cats (Andrew is one of the most delightful non-human characters to ever appear in a novel) and can wow you with unexpectedly tender scenes.

One passage, in particular, really affects and if you find yourself ever dealing with histrionics or any kind of behavior from another person that continually weighs you down no matter how much you help that person, keep in mind this: "One thing you have to learn right off in this life: you're not responsible for anybody but yourself. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be kind--and nice, but it does mean you aren't to blame if somebody uses you as the excuse {substitute any self-destructive behavior here}"

This may sound harsh, but I find it very soothing because one thing "emotional vampires" (some of which appear in this book) can do is make other people feel bad for the things they themselves do. Life is hard enough without continually having to deal with those who use manipulation to keep you tethered to them in the most unhealthy of ways. I took this (and more away from _Sam_) and am glad that I had the chance to read such a rocky and well-written tale, where anything can happen and does.

[Shayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam shook his head. "...I realized that I wasn't the only one with my problem, and that my problem wasn't the only problem in the world. Everybody has problems that drive them crazy, and most people never solve them. I asked myself if I really thought my way of life was wrong, or if in thinking so I was merely genuflecting to the ideas of other people. For years I had pretended to myself that I would change. I admitted finally that I was a homosexual, that it wasn't a phase, and it wasn't a disease."

This one is a quick read; started reading this at a friend's home then smuggled it out and finished it off before midnight.

Sam is wonderful if only for the fact that it was first published in 1959! Plot revolves around gay Sam and his best friend Addie. Sam is not the often seen gay character who is comic relief or ends up getting murdered or committing suicide. The book has wit, some snappy dialogue and some rather dark turns - there's a bathhouse scene that I'm sure would have been more than scandalous at the time. Pay special attention to the butler and the cat; they are hilarious and offer insight regarding the other players.

The book reads a bit like an old black and white movie that is discovered on a sleepless night. Shiny men and women played by yesteryear's Hollywood royalty trading quips and being witty and drinking martinis; hopes and fears are revealed as we cut to the bedroom scenes.

The fag/hag (yes i can say that! but i wish we could invent a better phrase) relationship is explored with gentleness and understanding. Deeper than friendship and sometimes more intimate than physical love, the bond between the gay and his gal can (and will as its nature!) be destructive to those within its bounds and those outside of it.

[Jayde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising and open for the time that it was written. Lonnie Coleman was best known for his Beulah Land novels but this novel of a gay man ans his friends and lovers is wonderfully frank with realistic if overly dramatic characters. It's available for the kindle but otherwise long out of print.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would advise anyone going into this book that there are graphic depictions of homophobic violence, sexual assault and domestic violence that come without warning, though it is not heavily exaggerated or drawn out.

Getting to read "Sam" felt like a privilege, for I really felt like I caught a glimpse of the life of middle to upper class gay men in the 50's written by an author of that time. The pacing of the book felt like it would work much better in play format, as it was very dialogue driven. My only qualm is that I felt like there were too many characters to focus on, and at times it felt overwhelming, especially with Sam's dinner party scenes. But I don't regret ordering this book one bit.

One highlight, other than a happy ending, were some fantastic foreshadows and telling details to the book's antagonist Toby:

Walter speaking --"No. All good faggots wear red ties on Saturday night. So goes the legend." (pg. 82)

"Toby caught [his tie] and began to stroke it. "Nice tie. Nice red bow tie." (pg. 134)

All in all, I would have given "Sam" a higher rating had it been narrowed down to fewer characters and if it didn't have what felt like filler chapters. It might have worked better as a short story, but I do recommend it to anyone interested in glimpses of Queer history and/or literature. The characters are realistic and the antagonist's ending is shocking, but likely the outcome of many men of that era who dealt with internalized homophobia.

[Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times funny, and at times sad, this is a great book about gay life in the 50's.

[Guerre Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stereotypic and unrealistic

This drivel was written like a melodramatic broadway play. The main characters are stereotypically oh-so sophistocated and civilized to the point of effete boredom. The secondary characters are caricatures and cartoon, especially the gay/bi ones. I'm assuming the reason this book was supposed to be so groundbreaking 60 years ago was because none of the gay characters killed themselves or ended up incarcerated a mental hospital or jail. Then there's the HEA ending where everybody ends up married (so to speak) to the partner they deserve.

The writing was fluid and easily understood. The editing was excellent. The story and characters were pure drivel. Two stars is all I can manage.