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 34
... Tell me . You can tell me . What is it , Old Boy ? " As the sun , like life returning to a body , stole over the world , the beam from my father's flashlight grew less and less distinct until it had been absorbed in the clarity of ...
... Tell me . You can tell me . What is it , Old Boy ? " As the sun , like life returning to a body , stole over the world , the beam from my father's flashlight grew less and less distinct until it had been absorbed in the clarity of ...
Page 69
... tell my mother how wonderful I was . I hoped the minister would tell his congregation about the wonderful lit- tle boy who had visited him one rainy afternoon . " Is there anything I can do ? To bring them back together ? " I asked ...
... tell my mother how wonderful I was . I hoped the minister would tell his congregation about the wonderful lit- tle boy who had visited him one rainy afternoon . " Is there anything I can do ? To bring them back together ? " I asked ...
Page 79
... telling herself . She sits on the edge of the bed , magisterial , coldly ra- tional , suffering disappointment but resolved to appear fair . " Start at the beginning . Tell me everything that happened . " My sister and I compete , we ...
... telling herself . She sits on the edge of the bed , magisterial , coldly ra- tional , suffering disappointment but resolved to appear fair . " Start at the beginning . Tell me everything that happened . " My sister and I compete , we ...
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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