‘A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING’ OR WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED, ELIZABETH GAGE?!—PART 2

  

I so much love A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING by Elizabeth Gage that during the summer I made it my mission to track down a 1^st  edition hardcover. Not an easy task, as it turns out, but one I wasn’t about to give up. I mean, how can I go on without owning this gem in hardback, even if it ends up only gathering dust on my busy bookshelf? To me, it’s a no-brainer. And I’m sure it is for a lot of you bookworms out there. This novel is the epitome of perfect trash. From the well-rounded characterization to the engaging intricate plot to the oh-so fine narrative, not to mention the psychological appeal, I could read it over and over again. Oh wait, that’s what I have been doing for the last 30 some years.  This will be my fourth time this year.  Why again, you may ask? Simple, this book always ends up being my go to when compared to other reads. So why not have another go at it? It has even bumped HOLLYWOOD WIVES by Jackie Collins off the top scale. Oh, make no worry, I still find Collins to be the best (how couldn’t I if based on her entire body of work) but Gage’s first published novel just does it for me like no other novels can. 

 

The first time I ordered the book in hardcover I received—gasp!—a Book Club Edition, even though I was promised a 1^st edition. I had to insist on a refund which I ultimately got, but for a minute there it looked like I was going to be stuck with this edition until I bought another one. Of course I was ready to order again from a different vendor but I was wary of the possible outcome. What if a BCE was again sent my way? But surprise, surprise, I finally received what I had desperately hoped for and I couldn’t be happier: a 1^st edition in a very good condition. It now stands next to INTIMATE, another Gage title I own in HC—another first edition as well.

 

My fervent wish had always been that Elizabeth Gage would come out of the woodwork and write another blockbuster. Imagine how excited some of us would be just to see another release with her name on it. I think I would tear up. I kid you not. But as much as I would love it to happen, I know now it never will. I have since found out that the author has died in 2002 at the age of 54. Her real name was Susan (Rusch) Libertson and according to my research, which I partly screen-grabbed below, she supposedly co-wrote her amazing novels with her then-husband Joseph Libertson. He has since written some suspense thrillers under the name Joseph Glass. I do own one called EYES. I may review it one of these days. 

Will Joseph Libertson tackle a Gage novel on his own? I doubt it. As you can see, he has moved on since then (especially after the Simon & Schuster past debacle over the release of the Gage books, which I judiciously discussed right here), and with good reasons. It just wouldn’t be the same without his partner in crime. So, after this planned re-read of mine I think it will be time for me to turn over a new leaf and focus on something else. There are too many books that I have yet to discuss here. This is my third A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING entry on this blog and it will be my last. I have said everything I wanted to say about it and its author (s). May she rest in peace.

 Until next post—Martin 

 

‘A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING’ BY ELIZABETH GAGE

A strange thing happened on the way to our well-deserved vacation.  After completing the 42.2K Marathon in Montreal and heading the same day to the Tropics I suddenly had the urge to read a ‘80s book.  Not the kind of simple urge one gets when the itch beckons, but like a desperate now-or-never need to appease my craving. It didn’t matter which book, just as long as it was of the rich and the rotten and riveting as fuck. In came a hardcover copy of Elizabeth Gage’s A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING (1988, Simon & Schuster) from the ship’s library. It was sleeveless, heavy, and it had spots of sunscreen oil on its red stiff material but it barely mattered, for I had found my savior. From that moment on I didn’t care where we were or how many unread current titles were waiting to catch my eyes on my Kindle. This was the book that I was going to read—or re-read since we did cross paths in 1990—for the next 14 days.   

The things that A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING did to me on that trip, I will forever be grateful. I kid you not on this. I was stuck in a rut reading wise. I had spent the last few months wondering where my reading choices were heading, since I felt like nothing really stroke my fancy anymore. After all these years of reading and reviewing maybe it was time to finally throw in the towel and move on. I wanted to reconnect with this passion of mine but didn’t know if I still could since everything was all becoming so bland and uninspiring. It took exactly 10 pages of A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING to cure this itch of mine.  

Every day like clockwork, in between visiting islands, going to the gym, and eating fine cuisine, my nose was stuck in that book, revelling in the tumultuous lives of these two glorious but so different women. In a Hollywood setting that starts in the 1947 and ends in 1974 during the Academy Awards ceremony, readers who dig Jackie Collins but with an edge will definitely have their fill of sexually-charged situations and nail-biting plot twists. They may even come to care about either leads or some other secondary characters. It’s a long book, over 700 pages and not once did I feel the story dragging. Indeed, what a fun and remarkable piece of pop culture art that novel is. Not only did it turn out to be exactly what the doctor ordered, it also made me realize how much in the zone I still was regarding sleaze. And it only took the right novel for me to figure that out. And not any novel, mind you, but one that delivers the goods with its impressive narrative, well rounded characterization and an extra shot of intellect. 

I dare anyone who loves a good trashy book not to get caught up in the swirls of her two main characters. If the reader is not too prude, that is, because it is very bold in its description sometimes. I’m telling you, if you want to tackle a strong and clever, and sometimes moving, story of sins and redemptions, give A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING a try. I’m sure you’ll be impressed as I am. Now, how the twenty-something gay dude that I was could be able to catch all these notable traits the first time around I read this book, I’ll never know. But one thing’s for sure, I’m so glad I revisited it and had the chance to praise it yet again. And in exchange get this second wind so desperately needed. Isn’t life a trip?!

Until next post—Martin  

‘PANDORA’S BOX’ BY ELIZABETH GAGE

 

Sure took me a while to read this one. Not that it was boring. I certainly had a ball. It’s just that with all the ARCs coming my way via NetGalley I just had no time for it. I tried my best to get back to it in between books but the truth of the matter is it was just a pain to leave it aside. Now that peace has started to reign again since I have slowed down on my NetGalley requests I can tell you that not only did I finish PANDORA’S BOX (1990, Pocket Books) a happy man but I found myself cursing the gods of trashy books for having read my last of the Elizabeth Gage’s contractual five novels from Simon & Schuster. I’m almost sure nothing will be the same once I start her Mira books which are supposedly tamer than what we’ve gotten so far. 

Anyway, getting back to PANDORA’S BOX, I must point out that it’s a lengthy novel, a door stopper as some of you like to call it. At 864 pages (mass market paperback) the novel has to be pretty darn good for me to invest my time in it. It is, as it turns out. The story revolves around two women who, born on the same date but different as night and day, come to cross paths later in life against a backdrop of political agenda. What happens before is a series of scandals and sins à la Elizabeth Gage. Lies, adultery, business takeovers, all spiced up by a strong narrative and a psyche of its characters that really lets you in on the reasons of their ways. In fact, if I had one negative thing to say about PANDORA’S BOX it’s that the author relies too much on explanation. The show, don’t tell mantra seems completely forgotten at times, which, in the end, irks quite a bit, but since the positive overcompensates the negative I am—and was—willing to let it go.  

Indeed, getting into the nitty-gritty of this frothy read that spans over thirty years was a joy still, most specifically because it took over from the real world. With its fleshed-out characterization and well-thought of plot twists (some expected some not) nothing came to matter except the fate of these fictitious people. I even found myself getting soft on the antagonist who the author managed to render human-like. Just go to show you that even a trashy novel like PANDORA’S BOX can impress on a literary level. But are we really surprised? This second offering (after the riveting A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING) is nothing less than what we’ve come to expect from a writer who, in my humble opinion, should come back from the pseudonymous grave ASAP.

 

 

Until next post—Martin

MMP UK edition

 

 

 

 

 

‘THE MASTER STROKE’ BY ELIZABETH GAGE

 

Why not focus yet again on an Elizabeth Gage novel, sweet readers, like her third outing THE MASTER STROKE (Pocket, 1992) which, by the way, has nothing to do with Picasso or the likes (that would be INTIMATE, her latter work). Indeed, this time it’s the birth of the computer that dominates this energic tale of passion and revenge which starts in the mid-50s and ends up around the early ‘60s. Computers, really?! But don’t be fooled. If anyone could make an unsexy and bland topic riveting it certainly is Elizabeth Gage. The way her story unfolds—with her rich narrative, well-defined characterization and her astute chapter hooks—can only put THE MASTER STROKE in a class of its own. 

 

Of course the novel has its faults. Her provocative heroine may be an electronics genius but what an idiot she is at romance. In fact, all of Gage's characters stink at love. And boy does she make them suffer for it. From incest to rape to murder, THE MASTER STROKE screams of clichés, yet with her skillful ways Gage succeeds in making this a powerful experience. Yes, good prevails over evil in the end, but the path to there is one heck of a ride, I’m telling you. 

Or am I just biased because it’s a Gage? The truth of the matter is I doubt it. I’ve been around this block too much to be clueless about that simple fact. So does THE MASTER STROKE make it Gage’s strongest book?  Not by a long shot. That would be her debut classic A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING. But compared to many novels of the same era it is certainly a strong one. I doubt you’ll be bored by it— again even with a topic as mundane as this one. It just proves to you that Elizabeth Gage could make anything fun, even her grocery list. 

 

Until next post—Martin

UK edition

 

 

'INTIMATE' BY ELIZABETH GAGE

Elizabeth Gage goes out with a bang with the last of her five book deal with Simon & Schuster.  INTIMATE is one roller coaster ride of secrets and sins among the rich.  The main sufferers are three beautiful specimens (aren’t they all?) whose interconnections end up destroying one of the trio.  Jordan Lazarus has come from nothing and is now one of America’s richest men but he’s far from being happy, especially in the matters of the heart.  That is until he meets Leslie Chamberlain, a blue color type who also rises up to become one hot commodity in the advertising world.  But she has secrets of her own, big ones that will eventually destroy their relationship.  In comes Jill Fleming, a double-crossing sociopathic chameleon who uses men and women to satisfy her every need.  When she sets her eyes on Lazarus, fireworks, until he realizes the evil of her ways; then it’s cuckoo time as she becomes nuttier and nuttier for the sake of owning him.  Of course there’s more to the plot but since I don’t want to give away anything major, I’d better leave it at that.

What’s safe to say is that, whatever lies between the covers, you’ll end up devouring the book in no time—despite the sometimes flawed approach taken.  Because let’s be honest here.  I, being an old pro, can find some predictability in any printed work, and it’s no different with INTIMATE.  Every now and then I found myself guessing its outcome.  But since the novel works aplenty already due to its strong narration and characterization, not to mention a psychological depth rarely used in a fluff piece such as this one, I scarcely minded. Besides, I’d rather focus on the positive when it comes to a Gage.  It makes the reading experience all the more worthwhile.  Especially when the soap bubbles pop, and believe me they often do. 

As in her previous work, sex abounds.  So do well-thought-out plot twists in general.  There’s nothing better than an erotica novel with meat.  It’s all about effectiveness.  And Elizabeth Gage knows how to attain it.  She is, in a way, the E L James (Fifty Shades of Grey) of her time but with a better outcome (but not income, for sure) because she at least can write.  Or he can.  If you’re a regular here or simply a Gage fanatic you probably know of the debate regarding the author’s identity (Elizabeth Gage is a pseudonym).  I think she’s a he, some think otherwise.  But in the end does it really matter?

So why did Gage never became a household name if she’s such a talent?  There’s a back story to this, one I discussed in another post (along with her true identity).  But in a gist, she was underappreciated by her publishers, resulting in low sale of her work.  It’s probably the reason why she moved to Mira Books.  I have yet to read those, which I believe—if based on reviews—to be more toned down.  But it’s all right.  I’ll get to them eventually.  I still have PANDORA'S BOX, which is another big glittery door stopper, to get into.  You can be sure I will savour every moment of it—as I did with INTIMATE.  Find it, read it, love it.

 Until next time—Martin

UK edition

WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED, ELIZABETH GAGE?!

 

I first met author Elizabeth Gage during my mid-20s, as I was rummaging through a bin full of used books down at The Salvation Army. Not a glamorous picture, is it? But rest assured, I was only there on a mission to find the latest gem. You know, the discard book sought-after by those paperback hunters like moi. As it happens, I was not looking for something in particular that day, having gone through the many aisles offering anything from fiction to travel guide books to magazines on such-and-such. But I must admit that one cover displaying a woman shapely leg brushing against a man inner section kept beckoning me. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention that I had graduated from horror to trashy books by then, having enjoyed many by the likes of Collins, Susann, Robbins… The more scandalous they were the happier I got. And lengthy, I liked them all lengthy; over 500 pages at least. So imagine how thrilled I felt finding out that this one entitled A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING was about 700 pages. Sheer ecstasy, I’m telling you, sheer ecstasy.

Like a lot of you, I new little of Elizabeth Gage besides the small bio and pic (most certainly fake; read on) at the end of the novel which claimed that she had homes in Illinois and Hawaii and that her name was a pseudonym “for a major new storytelling talent”. Still, this snippet intrigued me. Even more so when I found myself enthralled by the novel storytelling way of conjuring up trouble in Hollywood and beyond. I was determined right then and there to know more about this secretive Miss Gage. But computers were not as hip nor as yet affordable back then (that would be around… hmm, let me check the paperback copyright page… the end of the ‘80s). So people had to do their search the old fashion way, via libraries, bookstores, magazine articles, or by writing a fan letter to the author (which, in hindsight I should have done, just for the kick of owning something from this now MIA storyteller). Suffice to say, I ended up with zilch concerning this author. But I was not through with her yet.

Fast forward to some 20 years later on an evening like this one, when heat and sounds of the night invade my opened window, and wouldn’t you know, all those questions about this mysterious writer are finally answered... well, almost. According to this (scroll down to "Underground" August 17, 2010), it seems that Elizabeth Gage had it pretty rough with Simon & Schuster, her then-publishers. No one over there truly believed in her book, even though it did become a New York Times best-seller later on. She’s supposedly from Glenview, Illinois and did (still does?) have a home in Hawaii. There may have been a team of two authors behind the Gage name, a man and a woman. The post by Doreen Appleton (thanks, Doreen!) hints to that but does not elaborate. But what it makes clear is this: Simon & Schuster did harm the Gage name. Enough so that sales of her four subsequent books suffered, despite the fact that all were as riveting as A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING—believe me. If you have yet to try a Gage, start with her first aforementioned novel, then go on from there. No need to thank me later. As to what happened to the author after her Simon & Schuster debacle? Well, she moved on to Mira who published two final novels, one in 1998, the other a year later. After that, I have no idea of her whereabouts. But one thing’s for sure, seeing a new Gage on bookstands would certainly make my day, especially with the current revival of the eighties-style bonkbusters. A guy can dream, right?

 

UPDATE: According yet again to Doreen Appleton, Gage is now “a literary novelist whose real identity is not known”. The author supposedly has won publishing awards for her many novels under pseudonyms. Well, good for her, I say. But what about the Elizabeth Gage name? Isn’t it time to dig her out of the publishing grave?

 

Until next post—Martin