SOURCE: “A Brazen Hilarity of Modern Heresies,” in Los Angeles Times Book Review, December 5, 1982, p. 1.

In the following positive review, Rechy lauds Gold's True Love for its comedic appeal and well-written prose.

This superbly written, defiantly hilarious, insidiously entertaining novel [True Love] deserves all the anger it will draw. Brazenly, it shouts a litany of contemporary heresies in its portrayal of an intelligent, educated man damned if he'll cope with the changing reality of women.

His lover, Bethany—star of “over-30 tennis”—decides to end their affair, return to “being a good mother and loving wife,” and accuses Watkins of wanting “true love” while only pretending “superficial feelings.” “Are you dumb and pitiful … smart and pitiful … or just being silly?” she asks him.

She has a point. At the autumn of middle age, Watkins is in the throes of that silliest of all emotions, romantic love, with its...