That Other Realm of Freedom by Barry Nonweiler (Gay Modern Classics)

''Simon sat stiff and motionless, unspeaking, his face like a mask, trying to reproach them by looking as much like a murdered corpse as possible.''

The early 1970s is a frightening time to discover you're gay. Disillusioned with his unfulfilling life in Glasgow, and threatened on all sides by casual bigotry and well-meaning oppression, the irrepressibly romantic and idealistic young Simon Palmer slips away from the only world he's ever known and heads for London—where the Gay Liberation Front offers the promise of a world where queer people of every kind are free to be themselves.

But, as he moves from discussion group, to bar, to bed across the city, his new relationships begin to appear as problematic as the ones he left behind. Eventually, only by crossing the world is Simon able to reconcile his dreams with reality and find a way to be himself. 

Barry Nonweiler's only novel, That Other Realm of Freedom is gorgeously written, lightly philosophical literary coming-out tale.

Touching on everything from feminism, alienation, and asexuality, to English drinking culture, activism as a search for community, and casual encounters as a search for love, Barry Nonweiler's masterpiece remains as relevant today as it was in 1983.

'[A] Harsh but truthful account of being a gay man in the 70s; reminded me of myself in the 80s, but more gruelling. A GMP classic...'
Steven Benson

'Barry Nonweiler's writing displays a rare combination of craft and integrity. The reader will be dazzled by his intricacy and the extent of thematic concern.'
Gay Community News

This new Solar Press Edition also contains two additional short pieces—'Becalmed' and 'The Door Into the Rose Garden'—which originally appeared in 'Cracks in the Image: Stories by Gay Men' (1981)