Review…The Handyman's Reality
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The Handyman's Reality
by Nick PoffThe Handyman's Reality is a relief to read. The marketplace is flooded with gay fiction that focuses on the erotic aspects of relationships, depicting a great deal of detailed sex. If it isn't a lot of sex, gay novels have hate crimes against gays, serial killers out to get the gay population, or long, drawn-out tragedies of men dying of AIDS. While much gay fiction in these categories is still entertaining and well-written, I enjoyed that "The Handyman's Reality" is a simpler story of two gay men building a life together. By making the story domestic rather than sensational, Poff shows himself capable of more mature writing than many of his fellow writers.
The Handyman's Reality is the sequel to The Handyman's Dream. I have not read the first book, but I had no trouble following the second. Apparently, in the first book, Ed and Rick met and fell in love. The second book begins when they have decided to move in together and make a commitment to live like a married couple, sealed by Ed receiving a ring from Rick. The story follows the development of their relationship and each man encouraging the other to follow his dreams–these dreams include their becoming the caretakers of Mrs. Penfield's Victorian home with the understanding they will one day inherit it, and Rick's desire to leave his job as a mailman and become a real estate broker.
No major dramas or conflicts arise. The characters' major concerns are how people in their small Indiana town, especially Ed's handyman clients, will react to learning Ed and Rick are a gay couple, and whether Ed and Rick will be able to get along and make their relationship last. These issues are dealt with realistically and the results are far from extreme or melodramatic. I found the absence of real tension in the book surprising at first, but as I read on, I settled into following the daily lives of Ed and Rick and just enjoying their little triumphs and their tenderness for each other.
I think the attention on sex in gay fiction is a turn-off for many readers who will find this book a real relief. Ed and Rick are depicted as being tender and loving to one another, but the author wisely shuts the door during the sex scenes, simply allowing us to imagine them. The book is moving in the love the characters show each other, and the few times they have disagreements, the relationship issues are worked out in a realistic manner. I found it a bit annoying that Rick could never smile but instead constantly had "his warm and tender special" spread across his face. I also found it a bit much to imagine two grown men calling each other "baby." Despite a little sappiness, however, the relationship was depicted realistically, and it was clear Rick and Ed loved each other, rather than being in the relationship solely due to physical attraction.
I am curious why Nick Poff set the novel in 1981 instead of the current day. He did a remarkable job of recalling that year, filling the book with references to popular songs and world events. Perhaps he wanted the tale set prior to the AIDS epidemic. Rumors of a gay flu or disease are mentioned briefly in the book, but AIDS never becomes an issue for the characters. The book really works as an argument that two men can have a meaningful relationship together.
The book is not perfect; some readers will find the lack of plot makes it a bit slow and sometimes the dialogue goes on a little long. However, I think "The Handyman's Reality" is a remarkable achievement in the field of gay literature because of its attention to realism rather than sensationalism and gay fantasy. The book's domesticity is a step-forward for the genre. I would not be surprised if someday Nick Poff's books are ranked as gay classics beside E.M. Forster's "Maurice" and Michael Cunningham's "A Home at the End of the World." I hope Poff continues to write serious gay literature that is romantic and hopeful.
Also check out
The Handyman's Dream
The Handyman's Promise
