Book Reviews

Book Blurb

It takes a village.

 

The history of New York's iconic Greenwich Village comes alive in writer and filmmaker Richard Natale's Greenwich Connection, a novella, and interconnected short stories spanning the second half of the twentieth century, from the waning days of WW II through to September 11, 2001. The novella and subsequent short stories feature a rainbow collection of eccentrics, misfits, lovers, and friends, all united in their quest for connection, acceptance, and a sense of community.

 

The novella, In the Fall of Forty-Four, begins in Naples in 1944 during the American occupation and quickly moves to the razzle-dazzle of New York City, the epicenter of American creativity and economic prosperity during the post-war era. We follow the central characters' often tempestuous lives through the end of the century, during which their on-again, off-again relationship is buffeted by political and social upheaval. The short stories that follow focus on several of the minor characters depicted in the novella, all of whom have flocked to Greenwich Village from near and far. Their respective fates become inextricably entwined in the enormous historical and social changes unfolding around them.

 

For much of its existence, Greenwich Village has been a refuge - for the dispossessed, the misunderstood, and the lonely - seeking to throw off the shackles of oppression; a haven in which they were free to express their dreams, and desires without fear of censure. Their respective triumphs and tragedies are interwoven throughout the novella and the short stories. While the location is specific, the Village in those years was emblematic of the broader historical and cultural shifts in the nation as a whole. These ordinary, and not-so-ordinary lives reflect the countless others who emerged from the shadows during the latter half of the 20th century and demonstrate how their destinies were shaped by and have given shape to our recent history. 

 

Book Review

There seems to be no fixed structure to collected short stories. Location? Time? Common characters? Rules aren’t required, but surely they attract a publisher’s sense of order and likely merchantability. Here, our opening novella stands alone, but contains several references to personae who will appear in subsequent, shorter tales. Some characters are quite memorable, while others may nibble at memory sufficiently to encourage a look back. Whether such a device adds to the readers’ pleasure is, at best, idiosyncratic, and my own opinion remains, so to speak, in utero. Additionally, the opening long tale oddly bridges the end of World War II and the time after, so that the effect of the period is wonderfully reflected in the characters. For the lucky few, the war was a prelude to a new, exciting world – or the life of Terry and Monty, which carries on during the post war changes in America with stress and reconciliations.

 

Every review must question what makes a book worthy of the efforts of a possible reader. Plot – sufficiently engaging to drag one forward, line by line? Or perhaps character – enough to make one care about posited issues. In between, it’s easy enough to plant erotic activities, or heroism, fantasy, or any other problematic issues – properly seasoned, of course. Author Natale has a good hand with style, and that surely helps! It ain’t easy turning towards “cute” prose but avoiding treacle. Excellent example: “Everywhere you went. Vendors hawking. Taxis honking. Tires screeching. Crazies preaching.”

 

The primary offering, ‘In the Fall of Forty-Four,’ relates to World War II and coming out, particularly social upscale versus downscale gays and society. We are also introduced to the “red” and “lavender” scares. (Here, a good reference book could be of assistance.) These political frights result in hot/cold interim relationships. We start in Naples, Italy, and the city’s natural beauty is a knockout. War hasn’t discouraged the Neapolitans from shouting, laughing, fighting, and f*cking, as always. Terry, the narrator, acknowledges his desire for beautiful men, as he appropriately describes the war and surrounding himself in ambivalence. As Neapolitans are flirts by nature, our hero Terry is wont to cruise – danger notwithstanding. (The locals were so very discrete!) Sex is very well described – “Got me so excited I wrapped myself around him like a boa constrictor.” Understanding posited that the sexual freedom was only of the moment, and old rules would come back after the war. ‘In the Fall of Forty-Four’ is a mini-saga covering and elucidating post-war Americans. Given the structure, the tale is a marvel of invention, and instructive. Telling about it won’t substitute for reading it – especially as author Natale uses this opening work as a source for so many characters in the ensuing shorties. Stonewall didn’t make the world in which we, as gays, now live, but rather represented the fecundity of our changes. The sixties posed pressure and we, with our developing nature, responded well.

 

‘Basta’!’ as the tenor (or basso?) loudly sings. Let’s move on to the shorter stories – which will bend and reintroduce many of the cast. ‘Barbara’s Poetry Lesson’ tells of a society lady’s discovery of her lesbian nature – in an intentionally dry, almost journalistic style. And as our heroine is a lady of class, the language is appropriate to her milieu. Washington Square of the fifties and sixties is finely presented. (Go NYU!) The detail of sex between two women is well presented – and I say that generously as a 100% gay man.

 

‘The Seven Forty-Five’ concerns Donald, a married man in his midfifties, commuting to New York by bus and ferry. His courtship, very proper, is almost asexual! He spots and focuses on a fellow commuter, and even notices the man’s wedding band. The story is well-set in its time – with references to the Copa and Xavier Cugat. This leads to a relationship, which is fully developed and totally believable to those of us familiar with the Village of the time. While their “affair” is almost unscheduled, Donald beats back his dependency during dry spells with temporary asylum in others’ arms, not actively seeking them but by merely stumbling upon such partners. The story depicts two men, in love and attracted, and socially screwed up! Fascinating!

 

‘All and Nothing at All’ is about a transvestite, and the subsequent relationship with Mario, who promises sufficient freedom: “I’ll tie you up. But I’ll never tie your down.” Are you beginning to understand the broad nature of this foray in Greenwich Village of the fifties and on? Author Natale is almost like National Geographic in his approach to the gay world and the mafia of the era.

 

The totality of the tales is broad, humorous, timely (such as references to Jerry Robbins and Zero Mostel and congress’ HUAC).

 

‘Village Diner: Nighttime’ concerns Stonewall. And subsequent stories become more enigmatic – whether by the author’s intent or merely just slipping into a sense of mysticism. The various characters hang together right through the last entry, which is almost a curtain call. And the totality of the book is wonderful, entertaining, and even educational of foreigners of Greenwich Village. As it is a history evaporating before our eyes, these tidbits well add to the limited list of fine gay writers who introduced and preserved that era.

 

Question: Do authors pine to be philosophers? Here is a tenet from the opening tale: “Believe you me, it takes courage to be a coward. Everybody hates you and you don’t die once, you die every day – from the shame and the guilt.” This isn’t essential to the tale, but it seems important to be inserted for our self-inspection.

 

And witticism is a necessity, such as, “To this day, I believe that Enzo screwed the Irish Catholic right out of me.”

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Collection, 369 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	04-February-2025
Price	$5.00 ebook, $20.00 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Greenwich-Connection-Richard-Natale-ebook/dp/B0DS9766S1