Howard Cruse’s Stuck Rubber Baby is a spiritual ancestor to Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home. But, where Bechdel told her live with her real family, Cruse’s story is memoir-ish. It’s mostly fact based of his young life when he realized he was homosexual, but its not a straight autobiography. Based off Cruse’s experience living in Birmingham, Alabama during the height of the civil rights movement, Stuck Rubber Baby isn’t just a slice of Cruse’s life, it’s a slice of America during a difficult time. So, let’s find out what this strangely titled book.

Toland Polk is Howard Cruse’s alter ego. After Polk’s parents die in an accident, Toland lives with his sister Melanie and her husband Orley. After his friend Riley gets out of the military, Toland moves into Riley’s house along with Riley’s girlfriend Mavis. While partying with them he meets a bunch of new people including Sammy Noone and Ginger Raines. Sammy is just home from the Navy and is outwardly gay with friends, but still plays the organ at his church. Ginger is an outgoing young woman who is a talented folk sister and involved in the civil rights movement.

Toland finds himself attracted to  Ginger, but also feeling very confused about his sexual orientation. As the civil rights movement gets more heated, Toland finds himself getting closer to Ginger, not only personally but also is the movement. When things heat up with Ginger, Toland finds himself trying to open a “stuck rubber”. When he is unable to open the condom, the emotions of the situation causes Toland to confess his confusion to Ginger. Things get weird in their relationship, but the attraction remains. And after a violent bombing that kills several black children, the emotions bubble up so much that the stuck rubber is ignored without a replacement. Ginger finds herself pregnant.

Toland finds himself attracted to Sammy’s friend Les and has a fling with him, which is enough to convince Toland that he really is homosexual. Toland then has to deal with his relationship with Ginger, Les, the civil rights movement and his sister, who is worried that Toland is going to hell. The combination of these intersecting story lines causes heartache and pain for everyone involved. The whole story is set in a modern day frame where Toland comments on his naivete and innocence.

The book is a wonderful story that ties together multiple strands of American life in a semi-fictional memoir. Cruse’s art is great, if a bit cartoony. But the storytelling is gripping and well told. Cruse knows how to pace a story and the real life underpinnings of the story make it more exciting. This story is well worth reading, especially if you’re interested in this era of America. Recommended