Numbers (Rechy, John)

Rechy offers a view into worlds that never get discussed. He writes about a time past and yet many of the issues it raises are just as vivid today even though the world has changed. I think LGBTQ people owe it to ourselves to read Rechy to understand and remember.

John Rechy has a great way of remembering times past, exploring times present, and anticipating times to come. This is a very understandable read that is captivating.

Although it was important to me to read this book - because of its historical value (it depicts an era and a frame of mind typical of the 70's gay before acceptance and stonewall, especially self-acceptance), I didn't think it was well writtten or structured.The whole story is made of rather unconscious and pattern behaviour; it shows emptiness, self loathing; sex is a game of power and a way to avoid dealing with issues of affection and identity.It is not sexy at all, although there's a lot of sex happening. The writing is dry and essentially not inclined to describe bodies and acts. It could be described as character/psicological based, but then it is as superficial as the main character is shallow.It intends/pretends to show body and psyché in paradox, but actually what we get to read is exterior. It's all about the vanity of this character who's obviously the author and his nonstop whining that tries to convince himself of the correctness of his actions and his view of the world - and the main focus is gay promiscity and the macho image (that is seen as the opposit of being gay).Every idea about love, sex, happiness and pleasure is repeated (or should I say reiterated, or even repelled) without any insight.However simple, the book describes a struggle every gay man still goes through and is therefore contemporary, although set in a distinct 70's frame and getting obsolete by the minute.

I thought I remembered the book (I read it in October 1968 as a paperback) but I decided to get a Kindle copy anyway.Glad to read from Rechy's 'foreword) written in 1984 that this was his 'favorite' as well.

Rechy combines anonymous sexual compulsion with narcissism and, oddly enough, OCD in the story of Johnny Rio and his search for adoration in 1967 Griffith Park. The book is sexually graphic but the psychology of having a certain "number" of conquests is the overriding theme of the book. Rechy spares no lucid prose in his description of Rio's taut body and those of his conquests. Is the book homophobic? Maybe, but I suppose it needs to be read through it's pre-Stonewall lens. Rechy even throws a meta reference to his first novel, CITY OF NIGHT. And he put his own picture on the cover of the first edition hardback. Narcissism indeed.

a lovely story about a sexy narcissist getting his needs met while dealing with lots of internalized homophobia and shame. a piece of gay history.

This book is so basic

Written in 1967, John Rechy's NUMBERS is a significant contribution to gay literature not only because of it's pre-Stonewall publication, but also because the book goes a great distance in helping to chronicle some of the virtually underground gay sexual mores, play, and attitudes of LA in the 1960s...and it does so very entertainingly and with lots & lots of sex.Johnny Rio, a former superstud star hustler on the Strip, returns to LA on a vacation from his mundane "working" world in Texas. In no time it becomes clear to the reader that "hotter than ever" Johnny is returning to get a little taste of what he has missed leading his 9-5 "straight" existence. Specifically he returns to reclaim the buzz that comes from being desired, especially by other men. Though claiming to be straight and obsessed with defining himself as such, Johnny needs this male affirmation - it is his power, his food, the confirmation of his worth. The book follows Johnny on his hot & smutty adventures accruing the "numbers" in the title which refer to the number of men who've given their power over to him as a result of his desirability. NUMBERS is a raunchy read - so prudes beware...but this book is also a lot more - a fine rumination on sexual need, sexual definition, vulnerability, and how so much in our sexual nature often reveals something deeper.NUMBERS is not Rechy's best book (personally I still think his greatest contribution to gay literature is City of Night) but it is an extremely worthwhile read...and just to keep you turning the pages - it's HOT, smokin' hot. You've gotta love that sexy/smart combo - at least I did.

its john rechys account of a fictional character that is obviously him..It begins in El Paso, texas...THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR KIDS, IT CONTAINS ALOT OF GRAPHIC GAY SEX

You like this book you will love Soft Cell Numbers (Single)NumbersWho's the person that you woke up next to todayIf you were any olderThen you'd know you'd have to pay your wayWell maybe you do alreadyBut you make out they pay youDid you ask yourself where did love go wrong with you?NumbersDon't tell me your name I don't want to knowAnd don't forget to take all reminders when you goGood things have to endAnd I was never any good at saying goodbyeBecause when I say goodbye a silly thing happensAnd I always cryNumbersYou're looking so thin these days are you doing speed?(No, numbers)Have you seen your face? Now you're really going to seed(Playing numbers)Doing a nine to five in the dayAnd you never know their namesBecause names make a person realAnd there's no real people in these gamesNumbersPass them on and pass them byNumbersNever hold a good thing down for longNumbersThrow 'em away like KleenexNumbersPick them up and push them awayNumbersOh numbersUntil you wake up one dayAnd find that you're a numberBody one, body two, body three, body fourBody one, body two, body three, body fourNumbers

I didi't believe I would ever find this book, but you had it! Now I'm happy reading it and the enjoining the atmosphere of seventies...

John Rechy is my new Andrew Holleran