The Hummingbird Summer by GS Wiley

Title: The Hummingbird Summer
Author: GS Wiley
Publisher: Lulu
Buy the book: Publisher

Blurb:

Collection of two gay-themed short stories set in New York City in the 1960s.

In “The Hummingbird Summer,” typewriter salesman Henry Maitland takes advantage of the summer exodus from New York City to snatch a few private moments with his married lover Pete Kingsley, an affair doomed by era and circumstance.

In “Sukiyaki,” Japanese-American private eye John Tamaru looks into the death of a worker in a Chinese restaurant, only to find out that first impressions are deceiving.

Review:

There is always something about Wiley’s writing that never fails to entice and delight me. An incredible short story author, Wiley offers themes and characters that are a little off the beaten path. These stories more often than not don’t have happy endings but convey an authenticity and honesty that show what could be real men and real situations. From historical to contemporary and recent history, there is something timeless and classic about this author that I appreciate and respect. The level of detail and descriptive quality to the atmosphere create stories that always leave me wanting more.

Here is no exception as two similar stories from New York City in the 1960’s offer a glimpse into the lives of interesting men. These stories aren’t conventional romances and don’t have a happy ending but they feel incredibly real and honest. The men depicted are vulnerable and bittersweet, longing for their happy ending that is just out of reach, but not depressingly so. Instead there is a sense of hope and acceptance that makes these two stories enjoyable to read, even while leaving you with a tinge of sadness and whimsy.

The first story is about an older gentleman named Henry that is in a long standing affair with a married man, Pete. The scene is short and shows the two men together while Pete’s wife and family are away for the summer. The characters and setting are offered in a wealth of subtle detail. From the restaurant décor to the finishing touches of Pete’s house, the time frame completely surrounds the men and their story. Their love is bittersweet but not sad or angst filled. The men may dream of running away together but responsibilities and the realities of life rarely allow fairy tale endings. The sweet, gentle nature of their very tangible connection makes this a strong and absorbing story.

The second story looks at a private detective that is asked to look into the death of a young woman. This story could have been so much longer and it suffers from the short length. On the one hand, I think the story probably delivers exactly what the author intended yet there is a wealth of possibility in the characters, the mystery, and the setting that feels shorted due to the length. The closed community of Japanese-Americans is hinted at without delving too deeply and the mystery itself is solved way too easily. The small glimpse at the romance between John and his semi-boyfriend is interesting and all too brief.

The writing in both stories is on par with what I expect from Wiley with clean prose, descriptive choices, and an aura of acceptance that keeps the stories from ever being sad or heavy. The light touch to the characters gives the reader a glimpse into their personalities and actions always speak louder than any dialogue. I enjoyed both short stories quite a bit but felt the second story could easily have been expanded and offered too many elements in too short a frame. Also the descriptions of the restaurants used are almost identical, down to the décor, which is distracting since the stories aren’t linked.

Overall I can easily recommend these quick and engaging stories for anyone new to Wiley’s work and looking for something with romance yet not the conventional happy ending.