Sudden Strangers: The Story of a Gay Son and His Father

The relationship between Walter Fricke, a Rhode Island harbor pilot, and his gay son, Aaron, is arrestingly portrayed as it evolved during six years from conflict to mutual understanding and respect. With earnest candor, the son ( Reflections of a Rock Lobster ) recalls their early compansionship, his teenage realization of his homosexuality and his father's shocked but stoic reaction to his son's ``coming out.'' Initial acceptance was followed by overt hostility and a two-year rift during which both men ultimately came to terms with each other's lives: the son, working in an X-rated bookstore, caught up in the Southern California gay community; the father, divorced, lonely and disappointed that his son would never produce an heir to carry on the family name. Their collaboration on this slim volume, reflecting both their perspectives, was a successful attempt at reconciliation. It is poignant to learn that the father died unexpectedly, in 1989, of cancer. Photos not seen by PW. (May)