The cater waiter is the ultimate illusion; queer posing as straight, liberal posing as conservative, hedonist posing as eunuch.In his second novel, Jim Provenzano (author of the acclaimed PINS, the Lambda Literary Award winner Every Time I Think of You, its sequel Message of Love, and other novels and plays) explores Manhattan society life from the servants' point of view. Monkey Suits serves up a compassionate and witty tale of 1980s class warfare, and the romantic entanglements of a quintet of tuxedo-clad waiters. Lee Wyndam's work-related affairs lead to more frustration than he'd expected. Drawn to activism, his passion may finally blossom. His ex-boyfriend Brian Burns' foray into "the oldest profession" leads to a strange encounter. Ed Seabrook, Brian's spiritual boyfriend, Marcos Tierra, a sassy club kid, and Ritchie Hurst, a (mostly) straight sculptor, each have their lives forever changed by a tumultuous benefit protest. "Jim Provenzano captures an era in gay history with humor and poignancy. He has become one of our strongest voices."- poet Alex Gildzen The narrative of 'Monkey Suits' follows the lives of five waiters, and a well-known married couple of the society set, from autumn 1988 to spring 1989. Lee Wyndam, shy and unfocused, finds that his work-related affairs lead to more problems than passion. But when a secretive affinity group leads him to the liberating world of AIDS activism, his true passion may finally blossom with Cal, a biracial videographer. Brian Burns, Lee's insufferably handsome ex-boyfriend, thinks the world owes him a living. His foray into 'the oldest profession' leads to a strange encounter with a formidable and familiar client. Ed Seabrook, Brian's current boyfriend, is one of few who actually enjoys his job. Along with Marcos Tierra, a club "celebutante" between catered parties, and Ritchie Hurst, a (mostly straight) struggling sculptor, each young man sees his life and beliefs collide with society scions at a tumultuous AIDS benefit hosted by Trish Fuller. Her husband Winston Fuller's homophobic editorials spur the protest. Although mostly set at uptown parties in late '80s Manhattan, like one of the novel's characters, Provenzano lived for a few years in nearby Jersey City. A few chapters are set there, and in the World Trade Center PATH station. 'Monkey Suits' captures an historic time in New York City life, as well as the revolutionary AIDS activism of that era. An array of Egyptian references weave a metaphoric perspective, evoking an empire of contrasting wealth and servility. Jim Provenzano is the author of Finding Tulsa (Palm Drive Publishing), Now I'm Here (Beautiful Dreamer Press), the Lambda Literary Award-winning Every Time I Think of You , its sequel Message of Love (a Lambda Literary Award Finalist), the novels PINS, Monkey Suits, Cyclizen, the stage adaptation of PINS , and the short story collection Forty Wild Crushes .  Audiobook adaptations include PINS (Paul Fleschner, narrator), Every Time I Think of You, and its sequel Message of Love (Michael Wetherbee, narrator). Born in New York City and raised in Ashland, Ohio, he studied theatre atKent State University, has a BFA in Dance from Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in English/Creative Writing from San Francisco StateUniversity. A journalist, editor, and photographer in LGBT media forthree decades, he lives in San Francisco. jimprovenzano.com Used Book in Good Condition