New novel explores the complex roots of hate crimes
LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 10, 2013 /LGBT News/ The victim of a brutal hate crime never resolved forms the center of THE SCAR LETTERS, Richard Alther’s latest novel, published by Centaur Press on September 5, 2013.
Praised as “a beautiful novel of transformation and triumph,” by Toby Johnson, former editor of White Crane Journal, THE SCAR LETTERS addresses an issue authorities grapple with: Despite the recent dismissal of Prop 8 and DOMA and other significant strides made in national support of gay rights, police reports show gay hate crimes to be on the rise. But what triggers a person to savagely assault a gay citizen? And what is the impact of the crime on the victim and perpetrator?
In THE SCAR LETTERS, gay rights advocate and author Richard Alther explores these timely questions with the intimate story of Rudy Dallmann, a young gay man who becomes the victim of hate crime, and sets out, eighteen years later, to track down his assailants, courting both violence and romance.
Bookreview.com calls THE SCAR LETTERS “A compelling, universal story” that explores the roots of homophobia in this country with heart and humor. Pink Magazine praised the book as “a beautifully written account of a gay man’s psychological and emotional journey from being a being the victim of a chilling hate crime to blossoming into a self-assured individual.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Richard Alther is the author of two previous novels: THE DECADE OF BLIND DATES (2008) and SIEGFRIED FOLLIES (2010). Born and raised in New Jersey, he graduated as an English major from Cornell University and pursued twin careers as a writer and painter. He also competed nationally as a Masters Swimmer and won four gold medals and a silver at the Gay Games in Chicago. For more information, visit: www.thescarletters.com.
