A Boy's Own StoryThe "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. |
From inside the book
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Page 12
... Kevin's parents , especially his mother , were unlike any other grown - ups I'd met . They were both Irish , she by origin , he by derivation . He drank till he became drunk , his eyes moist , his laugh general . He had a handsome face ...
... Kevin's parents , especially his mother , were unlike any other grown - ups I'd met . They were both Irish , she by origin , he by derivation . He drank till he became drunk , his eyes moist , his laugh general . He had a handsome face ...
Page 24
... Kevin swam freestyle away from me , way out to the white diving raft . I watched , then rested my head on the board beside my arm . A tiny ant shaped like a dumbbell crawled through the flaring , glittering hairs on my forearm . The ...
... Kevin swam freestyle away from me , way out to the white diving raft . I watched , then rested my head on the board beside my arm . A tiny ant shaped like a dumbbell crawled through the flaring , glittering hairs on my forearm . The ...
Page 29
... Kevin and Peter smirking at each other . They thought my fa- ther and I were fools . Skiing off the boat wasn't simple . The velocity of such a massive , powerful vessel almost pulled your arms out of your sockets . The wake fanning out ...
... Kevin and Peter smirking at each other . They thought my fa- ther and I were fools . Skiing off the boat wasn't simple . The velocity of such a massive , powerful vessel almost pulled your arms out of your sockets . The wake fanning out ...
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Common terms and phrases
afternoon arms asked beauty became become beside blue body breath called close clothes cold course dark didn't door everything eyes face father fear feel felt floor front girl glass guys hair half hand he'd head hear heard homosexual hour interest Kevin kids knew laugh least leaves legs less light lips listen lived looked mean mind mother never night once past perhaps play pulled Scotts seemed shoulders side silence sister smell smile smoke someone Sometimes soon sort sound steps stopped sure talk tell thing thought told took turned voice wait walked wanted watched who'd whole window woman wonderful young