A Sow's Ear: Digressions and Transgressions of a Gay Humanist Paperback – April 30, 2013

The author speaks to the importance of connections in his book. And in my case, a connection, a good friend, turned me on to "A Sow's Ear" soon after is publication."A Sow's Ear" is a memoir of people, places, and events of one man's life. The read is for those who enjoy art, travel, friendships. Or I could say instead mystery, adventure, love.The book is for those who like a good laugh. I found the book hard to put down. The whirlwind of stories, places, and times inter-weaved caught me early in the book. Some stories made me laugh, some took the non out of non-fiction. It seemed as if the characters had to be made up from the imagination, but they weren't. I wanted to continue with the read and not stop to catch my breath. I finished the book in just a couple of days time.A side story is that the Ian Frasier's life is being shared with a partner for a span over 60 years. The book treats the reader with a closing of stories that are conversations of love for his life partner.

"Mr. Fraser" was my art history teacher at Herron and when all is said and done, he was easily my lifetime favorite teacher. Ian started our first class by reading a letter from a young man to his mother. Michelangelo was the author. From there we were scooped up into the lives of artists and their work through the centuries almost as though we were present and next to them. It was thrilling!By reading A Sow's Ear I saw that same enthusiasm, curiosity and adventure was not only what he felt about artists and tried to give us, but is the way he is living his entire life. He is a serious man with a great deal of joy and silliness close by.

Gracefully rambling like a beautiful cottage rose, Professor Fraser's memoir immediately pulls the reader into another time and place. His convivial narrative spans situations many of us will never experience and mores that continue to fade. Yet his saturated, deftly-turned descriptions reveal an empathetic world. It must have been a delight to be a student in his art history classes; he observes all through a twinkling eye. Thank you, A. Ian Fraser, for committing your life well lived to paper.

A. Ian Fraser has written a magnificent history that follows his path through life but envelops culture and art through a mildly cynical but factual perspective. And especially for someone who is not gay, it becomes an insight into a slightly different lens than might otherwise be seen. It's really hard to put down. It's really an adventure, and it's well written.

The author chronicles the events and goings on of who's who in the Indianapolis area for over 60 years. He writes with humor and authority giving you an insight into the building of the city's art and social structure as well as his own contributions and experiences within it. What a fascinating and charmed life this man has lived so far.

A wonderful reminiscence of growing up and life in Indianapolis, especially in the '70's and 80's.

Great read! I'd recommend it to anyone who likes genuine memoirs. Warts and all. What a full life!Which is why its such a great read!

Fantastic storytelling. Seeing the world through the adventures of Ian Fraser, who has seen more of the world than most!