Michael Nelson (novelist)

Michael Nelson
Born 1921
Died 1990 (aged 68–69)
Pen name Henry Stratton
Occupation Novelist
Language English
Nationality United Kingdom
Genre Fiction
Gay literature
Notable works A Room in Chelsea Square
Spouse Rachel Holland

Michael Nelson (1921-1990) was a British novelist best known for his 1958 gay novel A Room in Chelsea Square, originally published anonymously.[1][2]

Early and personal life

Born in 1921, Nelson was a journalist before the World War II. He was the secretary to publisher John Lehmann during the war and served as a captain in the Royal Army Service Corps. Nelson later owned a bookstore in Winchester where he lived with his then-boyfriend. Nelson married Rachel Holland, who knew he was gay, and they remained married the rest of their lives. Nelson died in 1990.[3]

Writing

Nelson’s first novel Knock or Ring (1957), which drew from his own experiences, was about a "ring" of booksellers who conspired to fix auctions.[3] It received good reviews, but was never reprinted until its 2013 Valancourt Books edition.[3][4]

Due to its explicit homosexual content, his second book, A Room in Chelsea Square (1958), was published anonymously.[1][2] It is about a wealthy gentleman who lures an attractive younger man to London with the promise of an upper crust lifestyle and has been called a "gay classic."[3][5] It has been reprinted several times.[1] The 2013 Valancourt edition features a new introduction by Gregory Woods.[1][6]

Nelson's other books are Blanket (1959) (published under the pseudonym "Henry Stratton"), When the Bed Broke (1961), Captain Blossom (1973), Captain Blossom Soldiers On (1974), Nobs & Snobs (1976), Captain Blossom in Civvy Street (1978), and Fear No More (1989).[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Cordova, Steven (26 June 2014). "A Room in Chelsea Square by Michael Nelson". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Book Description: A Room in Chelsea Square (1958) by Michael Nelson". ValancourtBooks.com. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Author biography: Michael Nelson". ValancourtBooks.com. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "Book Description: Knock or Ring (1957) by Michael Nelson". ValancourtBooks.com. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Healey, Trebor (28 May 2014). "Early Gay Literature Rediscovered". Huffington Post. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Woods, Gregory (29 January 2014). "Introduction to A Room in Chelsea Square". Retrieved 7 September 2014.
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