Somewhere at some point, someone recommended this book to me. It was written down in my moleskin notebook and at some point transferred to my iPhone list. Whoever it was I’d like to say thanks.

Swish is the memoir-type book about the author, Joel, and his experiences with things that may be considered “rather gay”. Things like knitting, musical theater, and go-go dancing are covered in Joel’s passive quest to live up to his self-imposed title of “gayest person ever”. As he points out in the introduction, these stories may appear on the surface to the topic at hand but as I read through them, he digressed away from the topic and ended up telling a story that was much deeper. Knitting for example is about knitting, but it is also about his relationship with his mother. This was not what I was expecting. Based on the title I was anticipating something, how shall I put it, shallow. I expected stories about gay cheerleaders and go-go dancing but instead I was treated to stories about self-identification and go-go dancing.

At this point Swish may sound sappy. But did I mention that it is hilarious? Truly it is a good that I should not read in public because people will stare and wonder what is wrong with that giggling boy in the corner. Just reading the introduction along provides enough giggles to justify the purchase. Oh look! The you can read the introduction here! Go read it. Then go purchase this book.

Also, the paperback edition includes an introduction by Elton John while the hardcover, the version I purchased, lacks this. If you care about what Elton John has to say about Joel Derfner, then pick up that version. I, however, have an addiction to hardbound first editions.

Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 10:51 am.
Filed under: Book Review.