Love in Relief (L'Amour En Relief)

Hocquenghem attempts to incorporate eroticism, adventure, science fiction and symbolism into a book about the prejudices and false values of contemporary society (set mainly in France and southern California). However, the attempt fails, perhaps because the goal is so lofty, but also because the reader fails to feel compassion for the protagonist, Amar, the excruciatingly handsome and blind Arab boy, and the only character able to ""see'' beyond superficialities. Thus it is difficult to sympathize with him as he prostitutes himself, surfs and dances professionally, prostitutes himself some more, smuggles heroin, goes to prison and becomes a guinea pig in an experiment that transforms him into a human radio receiver able to pick up Soviet signals. Amar's symbolic demise, crucifixion on a radio antenna, serves as the only relief in this story. (June)