There's nearly nothing new about looking for a new love. Searching can still take a while. However, methods to the madness have changed through the years.
"It's almost as if I could have written at any time in history," author Shelter Somerset said. "It's a timeless theme."
History and love collide in Shelter Somerset's newest 311-page novel, On The Trail To Moonlight Gulch. Reading this book, it seems that cruising Boystown today really isn't that different from navigating gay Chicago in 1886.
Unlike some gays of today, Tory's search for true love—from Chicago to the Black Hills—after tragedy didn't start on grindr.com . He counted on a 19th-century version: a mail-order bride catalog. No matter the century, Tory and his lovers faced the same obstacles: family and society.
On The Trail To Moonlight Gulch first shares the story of Tory and Joseph; then, ultimately, Tory and Franklin. Somerset, copywriter-turned-novelist, shared the origin of story, showcasing his love of cowboys, Native Americans and camping.
"Their story just kind of popped in my head," he said. "I love writing about rustic lifestyles. All of my novels have that similar setting."
With that said, On The Trail To Moonlight Gulch wasn't just a product of Somerset's vivid imagination. Depicting a Chicago of yesteryear required a lot of detailed research about the city and semantics. No character utters the word "gay." Per Somerset's research, it didn't come into fashion until the 1960s.
"It's amazing how similar things were," Somerset said. "Chicago was hustling and bustling city. There's still an idyllic idea of striking a match and lighting a lantern."
Idyllic qualities like love and devotion play prominently—intermingled with tragedy—but the book ends happily. Somerset took on possible critics who believe happy endings influence literary quality.
"I don't know why people think that way," he said. "The purpose of literature is to entertain and [to educate]. Within the confines of the novel, the reader or character is supposed to learn a lesson."
When stories end happily, Somerset believes, characters learn from the tragedy, while the audience learns a lesson. Armed with that concept, the author stressed his literary work stands on its own.
"I don't think that lessens the value," Somerset said.
Literary happy endings weren;t Somerset's only departure from a writing a "typical" gay love story. Sex scenes were less than graphic. Luckily, his publisher doesn't require explicit language. However, they do demand happy endings.
"That's not my style. I like to leave it up to the imagination of the reader," Somerset said. "I grew up perusing and reading classics. I've always been exposed to older classics."
So, Tory, Joseph and Franklin can be whoever the reader wants them to be. On The Trail To Moonlight Gulch's title and content both reveal the novel's Wild West theme. It almost begs for a comparison to Annie Proulx's novel, "Brokeback Mountain."
"I don't really mind being compared other types of literature as long as it's a compliment," Somerset said.
With that said, there's a difference between the two. On The Trail To Moonlight Gulch tells the story of cross-country and Wild West adventures from Tory's point of view—bringing innocence not present in Brokeback Mountain.
"Everything he sees is the way he would see it. It's new and exciting," Somerset said.
Even though it's a gay love story, the novel pays homage both to immigrants coming to Chicago for a better life and those heading to the new frontier.
Tory's the son of Swedish parents, who run a successful boarding house and bakery—where true love first found him. Even Tory's first lover, Joseph, had come to the Windy City to build his family's fortune. In spite of the times, seeing them walk arm-in-arm might not have been so shocking.
"In 1886, they didn't have a word," Somerset said. "'Homosexual' was just beginning to be used. Nobody knew. Today, we're inundated. Nobody in 1886 would've thought that. That was probably common sight."
So, sanitizing that from the story wouldn't have been an option.
"I didn't feel like I would hold myself back," Somerset said. "It was probably easier than we thought."
Honoring immigrants inspired him to dedicate the book to Marco Spinelli, his paternal grandfather.
The author, whose real name is Mark Spinelli, was named after him. While his first novel was dedicated to his dog, Guido, Somerset dedicated the second to a niece. Less than modern ideas took center stage in his first novel about a gay Amish man.
"I usually write what I want to read. I'd like to read about a gay Amish man," Somerset said. "Initially, I wanted it to be light-hearted. But, as I fleshed out character, learned it couldn't be light. It turned out deeper than I expected."
Somerset paralleled the Amish and LGBT communities. No one fits anywhere. He said he "writes a lot about guys who don't fit anywhere," highlighting discrimination within one's own community. On a lighter note, Somerset remembered being shunned at parties for not worshipping Madonna.
The suburban Washington, D.C., native has been lived in Chicago for 10 years. Somerset jokingly said he'd officially become an Illinoisan, when he first cheered on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Fighting Illini. Now, the Land of Lincoln must play a major role in all his stories.
"Everything has to have an Illinois theme," Somerset said.
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