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. |
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Page 99
... night really so cold ? I had to get help ; the infirmary ; otherwise pneumonia . My roommate was propped up on his elbow speaking giddy non- sense to me ( " I like , I like , I like the Lackawanna " ) until I opened my eyes and saw him ...
... night really so cold ? I had to get help ; the infirmary ; otherwise pneumonia . My roommate was propped up on his elbow speaking giddy non- sense to me ( " I like , I like , I like the Lackawanna " ) until I opened my eyes and saw him ...
Page 131
... night sky , clouds lit up like internal organs dyed for examination , for au- gury ... I spoke quietly , deliberately , to Helen Paper and I snatched glances of her famous smile rising to greet my words . Our attention wasn't given over ...
... night sky , clouds lit up like internal organs dyed for examination , for au- gury ... I spoke quietly , deliberately , to Helen Paper and I snatched glances of her famous smile rising to greet my words . Our attention wasn't given over ...
Page 135
... night's side from which magic blood flowed ; we bathed in it . By dawn I'd made love to Helen four times . The first ... night . I wanted to be alone with my wraith . In my confusion the real Helen Paper seemed irrelevant , even in ...
... night's side from which magic blood flowed ; we bathed in it . By dawn I'd made love to Helen four times . The first ... night . I wanted to be alone with my wraith . In my confusion the real Helen Paper seemed irrelevant , even in ...
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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