...Here's just a sample of some the books I've been reading this year. Since reading Andrew Holleran's Dancer from the Dance I've kind of been stuck in the genre of New York gay-based literature. In fact, I've read so many titles, both past and modern, that I've had to broaden my horizons and pick up a copy of Rubyfruit Jungle, which follows a country girl's coming of age into lesbianism. I finished it right here, on this bench in Washington Square. (haaaaay)
It's important to keep these books in mind. Some of them are the only history books we have, the only artifacts the gay community has to recall their histories, memories, pains and passions. There certainly aren't any American schoolbooks that will touch the subject.If looking to start a new book I recommend any of these titles.
The Beautiful Room is Empty- EB White
Dancer from the Dance- Andrew Holleran
The Beauty of Men- Andrew Holleran
Night in Aruba-Andrew Holleran
Grief- Andrew Holleran
Faggots- Larry Kramer
The Normal Heart/Destiny of Me- Larry Kramer
The tragedy of Today's Gays- Larry Kramer
City of Night- John Rechy
Numbers- John Rechy
Rushes- John Rechy
Ruby Fruitjungle- Rita Mae Brown
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Reading Rainbow
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hey, you should read Alexis, by Marguerite Yourcenar...the first woman admitted to the french academy, a lesbian, lived on an island most of her life...the novel is absolutely brilliant. Written in a classical style, the format is of an apology letter from a husband to a wife...he has to leave her because he's gay. Written when she was 24, in 1921 (i think). Rumor had it that her fiance left her for similar reasons, and this book was the apology she never got. Absolutely brilliant.
Post a Comment