Novel revisits real-life murder of gay couple in 1980
‘Up With the Sun’By Thomas Mallonc.2023, Knopf$28/352 pages If you’re in your right mind, you’d stop reading a novel whose protagonist is as appealing as a snake oil salesman without the charm.
Even if he’s gay, murdered, and the star of several 1950s stage and movie musicals. Unless the book is “Up With the Sun,” the newest novel from acclaimed author Thomas Mallon.
Mallon, 71, is renowned for writing enthralling historical fiction. Too often, such novels are like high school history classes (taught by snooze-inducing teachers).
They’re worthy. But you just want to eat your kale and get to dessert. Thankfully, this isn’t so with “Up With the Sun.” The novel’s story is based on the real-life gay actor Dick Kallman, born in 1933 and murdered, along with his partner Steven, in 1980.
