The Lord Won't Mind

Warning: Spoilers throughout.
If I could give this book zero stars I would. I understand that this was a shocking bestseller in 1970 and that it was hailed by many for showing a homosexual relationship that didn't end in tragedy. Maybe 45 years ago it was the Fear of Flying for the gay community. And now M/M romance is a hot commodity, so why not re-release it?

Well, how about misogyny, racism, sexual violence and completely contemptible characters as a good reason for this book to stay buried? Maybe Peter isn't too bad (although he is a complete doormat who throws over a perfectly decent guy) but Charlie Mills is just about the most odious man I have encountered in years. He seduces Peter, promises to love him forever, dumps him unceremoniously when his horrible grandmother threatens to disinherit him, rapes and beats his wife, then come crying back to Peter when he's in trouble. Even at the very end, he's ready to lie to his grandmother about his true feelings towards Peter until she forces him to confess all. At the novel's conclusion he has learned nothing, accepted absolutely no responsibility for his actions, and yet somehow the reader is supposed to be glad that he gets a happy ending.

And there are two more books in this series? No thanks. I'm sorry that readers who were interested in M/M novels back in the 1970s had few other choices besides this book, but thank goodness there is an embarrassment of riches of well-written M/M romance in the 21st century. I don't mind flawed MCs, but reprehensible ones beyond redemption like Charlie and ugly wall-bangers like this book should never again have seen the light of day.