Remembrance of Things I Forgot

Comic book dealer John Sherkston has finally decides to break up with boyfriend Taylor Esgard after 20 years. However, he decides to do it the day that Taylor completes his masterwork%E2%80%94a functioning time machine, in writer/comedian Smith's (Selfish and Perverse) latest novel. Using this machine, John accidentally travels back to 1986, when he and Taylor first met (and when Molly Ringwald ruled). He seizes this opportunity to give his younger self lots of information, try to save his sister and father from their early deaths, and most daringly, to stop George W. Bush from becoming President. His cohorts%E2%80%94his younger self, "Junior," the younger Taylor, and a group of friends%E2%80%94are pursued by Dick Cheneys old and young and John reaches some important conclusions about life, roads not taken, and what can still be changed. Smith takes an absolutely hysterical romp through our achingly recent history. His characters are sharp, funny, and instantly recognizable in their queer archetypes without being stereotypical. He's not afraid of balancing humor and sadness and manages to combine youthful optimism with the cynicism of age. This will appeal most to a very specific niche audience%E2%80%94LGBT-friendly East Coasters; regardless of scope, Smith executes his tale with witty aplomb. (June)