Contemporary Gay American Novelists
Publication of this sourcebook on important gay American fiction writers grants legitimacy and recognition to this rapidly emerging area of literary studies. Though wary of canon-formation in this groundbreaking work, editor Nelson has selected fifty-seven writers whose works have received serious critical acclaim and/or have won large audiences or, in a few cases, are worthy of greater attention. Included are representative writers of detective fiction and science fiction, but not authors of...
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Publication of this sourcebook on important gay American fiction writers grants legitimacy and recognition to this rapidly emerging area of literary studies. Though wary of canon-formation in this groundbreaking work, editor Nelson has selected fifty-seven writers whose works have received serious critical acclaim and/or have won large audiences or, in a few cases, are worthy of greater attention. Included are representative writers of detective fiction and science fiction, but not authors of erotic fiction or pulp novels. Also excluded are a few novelists whose expressed wishes for privacy were respected. Writers and their works are examined in the gay literary context, and a majority of the contributing essayists are themselves gay male scholars and writers who bring with them a level of personal and political sensitivity that is generally lacking in non-gay assessments of this literature. Each entry begins with biographical information, proceeds to an interpretive summary of major works and themes, provides an overview of critical reception accorded the author, and concludes with bibliographies of primary and secondary materials. In a lively and perceptive introductory essay, Bredbeck inquires into what we mean by "gay literature" and the inherent tensions in these terms. Conceding the impossibility of speaking conclusively of gay literature, he nevertheless stresses the importance of the task and ends with a survey of critical studies of the gay male novel and works of gay male criticism.Library JournalThe 57 male novelists in this volume range from Isherwood and Baldwin to Maupin and Leavitt, with some lesser-known writers appearing as well. There are notable absences, but several authors requested that they not be included. Each entry includes a biography, summary of major works and themes, assessment of critical reception, and bibliography of both primary sources and selected studies. The bibliographies are wildly uneven. Primary sources list only novels for some authors, whereas for others short stories and nonfiction are also given. Secondary sources also vary greatly, but generally not enough scholarly articles are given. Still, the material provided is excellent, and the sections on critical reception, which often delineate how homophobia has informed critical opinion, are invaluable and unprecedented. A fine essay by Gregory Bredbeck helps define the idea of ``gay literature.'' Gay/lesbian studies are blossoming, and this volume will begin to fill the enormous gap in our reference collections on the subject; nothing like it is currently available. A companion volume on lesbian writers is forthcoming. Recommended for all undergraduate and research collections.-- Brian Kenney, Brooklyn P.L.
PrefaceIntroductionSteve AbbottJames BaldwinBruce BooneChristopher BramWilliam S(eward) Burroughs IITruman CapoteMarsh CassadyJohn ChampagneChristopher CoeDennis CooperMichael CunninghamDaniel CurzonChristopher DavisSamuel DelanyLarry DuplechanMelvin DixonDavid FeinbergRobert FerroJohn FoxSanford FriedmanJohn GilgunGary GlickmanRobert GluckClayton R. Graham (Larry Paul Ebmeier)Harlan GreeneAllan GurganusRichard HallJoseph HansenAndrew HolleranBo HustonChristopher IsherwoodArturo IslasJoe KeenanRandall KenanKevin KillianLarry KramerDavid LeavittArmistead MaupinJames MerrillLarry MitchellPaul MonetteEthan MorddenMichael NavaFelice PicanoDavid PlanteJoseph Ashby PorterJohn PrestonJames PurdyJohn RechyPaul ReedPaul RussellJonathan StrongGore VidalPeter WeltnerEdmund WhiteGeorge WhitmoreDonald WindhamAppendixIndex
\ Library JournalThe 57 male novelists in this volume range from Isherwood and Baldwin to Maupin and Leavitt, with some lesser-known writers appearing as well. There are notable absences, but several authors requested that they not be included. Each entry includes a biography, summary of major works and themes, assessment of critical reception, and bibliography of both primary sources and selected studies. The bibliographies are wildly uneven. Primary sources list only novels for some authors, whereas for others short stories and nonfiction are also given. Secondary sources also vary greatly, but generally not enough scholarly articles are given. Still, the material provided is excellent, and the sections on critical reception, which often delineate how homophobia has informed critical opinion, are invaluable and unprecedented. A fine essay by Gregory Bredbeck helps define the idea of ``gay literature.'' Gay/lesbian studies are blossoming, and this volume will begin to fill the enormous gap in our reference collections on the subject; nothing like it is currently available. A companion volume on lesbian writers is forthcoming. Recommended for all undergraduate and research collections.-- Brian Kenney, Brooklyn P.L.\ \ \ \ \ Gay and lesbian studies is emerging as a serious area of study at many universities, resulting in an increase in the publication of scholarly works on the topic. Nelson has done an excellent job in editing this book about gay novelists, which should be a welcome addition in all research libraries as well as other libraries where there is an interest in gay and lesbian culture "Contemporary Gay American Novelists" profiles 57 serious and widely read male writers who were selected by the editor as representative of the variety of gay literature. These individuals are authors of detective stories, science fiction, personal histories, and novels that portray various aspects of gay life and culture. Authors who write only pulp novels and erotic fiction are not included, nor are those who asked not to be publicly identified as gay. Biographees range from the famous, such as James Baldwin and Christopher Isherwood, to lesser-known novelists whose "works deserve wider attention," such as John Fox and Peter Weltner Most of the biobibliographies were written by gay scholars, giving an insightful and empathic tone to the essays. The profiles vary in length from 4 to 19 pages, and all open with biographical information about the novelist. This is followed by a discussion of major works and themes, pointing out the role of gender identity in the writings, as well as ideas living novelists may be interested in pursuing in the future. The "Critical Reception" section of the essay discusses the significance of the author's works, as well as providing information about how the writings have been received by gay and mainstream media and audiences. The essays conclude with two bibliographies, one of works by the novelist and the other of selected studies about him This new work is well written and fascinating to read. Scholars and general readers, as well as closeted gays, will find it an enlightening book to both consult and browse. It fills a need in the area of gay and lesbian studies and is recommended for academic and large public libraries.\ \ \ BooknewsFifty-seven gay American fiction writers whose works have received critical acclaim are examined in the gay literary context by contributing essayists who are themselves gay male scholars and writers. Each entry begins with biographical information, proceeds to an interpretive summary of major works, provides an overview of critical reception, and concludes with bibliographies of primary and secondary materials. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)\ \
