Doug Cooper-Spencer -- This Place Of Men

Doug Cooper-Spencer has long been on the forefront of gay activism, particularly in Cincinnati's black churches and his work has appeared in local and national publications. This Place of Men is his first novel, written in 1999 and published recently. Otis and Terrell were lovers as teens until Terrell's father and a local pastor brutally ended the relationship that sent Otis to jail. Twenty years later, Otis returns to Cincinnati where Terrell is now married with a family and living in Mason. Homophobia remains the epicenter of everything they confront, separately and together. Otis tackles family conflicts and discovers a son he never knew. Terrell has his own family issues, and when he becomes involved with church politics, he discovers deep, dark secrets of his own. There are elements of a good story but Cooper-Spencer doesn't sustain the reader's interest. Otis and Terrell's stories need more connection and depth. The subplots take over, propelling each character much more than their interactions. The passages recalling the boys' burgeoning relationship are compelling but there aren't enough of them. Although Otis is clearly the stronger character -- he's the one who's out -- Terrell is more compelling if only because his conflicts are better defined. No one can dispute Cooper-Spencer's familiarity with homophobia in the black community, the often tragic consequences for black gays and lesbians and their families and the hypocrisy in community institutions. But he could have used a good editor and a good proofreader. (Anne Arenstein) Grade: C