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A Boy's Own Story
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A Boy's Own Story Paperback - 2009

by Edmund White

Originally published in 1982 as the first of EdmundWhite's trilogy of autobiographical novels, A Boy's Own Storybecame an instant classic for its pioneering portrayal of homosexuality.The book's unnamed narrator, growing up during the 1950s,is beset by aloof parents, a cruel sister, and relentless mocking fromhis peers, compelling him to seek out works of art and literature assolace-and to uncover new relationships in the struggle to embracehis own sexuality. Lyrical and poignant, with powerful evocations ofshame and yearning, this is an American literary treasure.


Summary

Originally published in 1982 as the first of Edmund White's trilogy of autobiographical novels, A Boy's Own Story became an instant classic for its pioneering portrayal of homosexuality. The book's unnamed narrator, growing up during the 1950s, is beset by aloof parents, a cruel sister, and relentless mocking from his peers, compelling him to seek out works of art and literature as solace-and to uncover new relationships in the struggle to embrace his own sexuality. Lyrical and poignant, with powerful evocations of shame and yearning, this is an American literary treasure.

From the publisher

The "extraordinary novel" (The New York Times Book Review) about one boy's coming-of-age during the 1950s--and one of the most groundbreaking portrayals of gay life in American fiction

"The best American narrative of sexual awakening since Catcher in the Rye." --Chicago Sun-Times

Ridiculed by his classmates and beset by aloof parents and a cruel sister, the unnamed narrator of Edmund White's first autobiographical novel finds solace in literature, works of art, and his own fantastic imagination. But as he strives to forge new friendships, his yearning to be loved by the men in his life evokes a crushing sense of shame and a struggle to accept who he is. Lyrical and poignant, A Boy's Own Story--the first of a trilogy, followed by The Beautiful Room Is Empty and The Farewell Symphony--is an American literary treasure that became an instant classic upon publication for its pioneering portrayal of homosexuality.

Details

  • Title A Boy's Own Story
  • Author Edmund White
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 208
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Date 2009-02-24
  • Features Price on Product - Canadian
  • ISBN 9780143114840 / 0143114840
  • Weight 0.35 lbs (0.16 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.88 x 5.02 x 0.57 in (20.02 x 12.75 x 1.45 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Sex & Gender: Gay
    • Topical: Coming of Age
  • Library of Congress subjects Bildungsromans, Gay youth
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"With A Boy's Own Story American literature is larger by one classic novel."
-The Washington Post Book World

"Edmund White has crossed J. D. Salinger with Oscar Wilde to create an extraordinary novel."
-The New York Times Book Review

"Every so often a novel comes along that is so ambitious in its intention and so confident of its voice that it reminds us what a singular and potent thing a novel can be. One of these is A Boy's Own Story."
-San Francisco Chronicle

Citations

  • Entertainment Weekly, 11/13/2015, Page 65

About the author

Edmund White is the author of more than twenty-five books, including the novels Fanny: A Fiction, The Farewell Symphony, The Beautiful Room Is Empty, and The Married Man, and the memoirs Inside a Pearl and The Unpunished Vice. He has received many awards and fellowships, including the National Book Foundation's 2019 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters; a Guggenheim Fellowship; the France-Ameriques Award; the PEN/Saul Bellow Award; the Mondello Prize; and the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Lambda Literary Award for Genet: A Biography. A former official author for the state of New York, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and an officer in the French Order of Arts and Letters, he lives in New York City.
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A Boy's Own Story: A Novel

by White, Edmund

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A Boy's Own Story: A Novel
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A Boy's Own Story : A Novel
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