Duane Simolke - "Holding Me Together"

Holding Me Together (Essays and Poems)  By Duane Simolke toExcel Press, an imprint of iUniverse.com, Inc. ISBN: 1583485511 First off, I want to let you know that I’m not a professional reviewer. I am a person that just loves to read. If my reviews get at least one person to read a book then I’ve done what I have set out to do.

The latest book is "Holding Me Together" by Duane Simolke. The largest part of the book is an essay titled Reactions to Homophobia. This work is very thought provoking. One of my favorites is "Gay Sex is unnatural. Yes, for a heterosexual." This essay is full of ideas along this line. Duane has taken homophobic statements and given his take on them. Others include: "Homosexuals are just a bunch of men dressing up like women", "The average gay male has 5000-15,000 different partners per year." (Well, where are mine? I better get busy), "Homosexuality is a Mental Illness", and "The Parts don’t fit." Duane has done his research. He has many references and interesting answers to scriptures, websites, books, etc. Once you have read his essay you will want to pick up your copy of King James and check it out in a different light.

There is also a collection of poems. Now I’m not normally a big poetry person  however,  there were a couple that touched me, as the style is tight and the imagery wonderful.  Faces parts I - VII, really aroused my heart. Or in Bareback, Duane hits some, where they don’t like it.

If you want something to say when someone says a Homophobic remark? Well, try some of Duane’s.

I would recommend this to anyone. Someone that is just coming to terms with their own sexuality and they need answers to remarks they have grown up hearing. Or to the person that is making ignorant homophobic remarks.

Duane Simolke's writings have appeared in several of publications, including;  The International Journal On World Peace, Midwest Poetry Review, Perception, Caprock Sun, Community Voice, The New Voice of Nebraska, The Amarillo Bridge, and The Electronic Gay Community Magazine

Duane is also the author of; The Acorn Stories, Holding Me Together, and New Readings of Winesburg, Ohio. Just click his Name - Duane Simolke  to see his website and or purchase information on any of Duane's titles.

You can order Duane Simolke's  books at most local or on-line bookstores.

So Check it out. You will be pleased. Till next time, Be Safe, Be Proud, and most important, Be Yourself!!!!!!!!!

The Acorn Stories Review

Duane's Web Reviews

Various Book Reviews By Duane

Return to GLBT Artists