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trin's review against another edition
2.0
Judging by this book, the average young boy can, before the age of 15, look forward to being approached for sex by:
*A 12-year-old "straight" baby jock who's really into anal
*Not one, but two separate camp counselors
*A "special" student who wanders around with a constant erection, which everyone just accepts, like, "Oh hey, it's whatshisname with his perma-boner"
*A teacher and his wife looking for a three-way
*A totally different teacher
*A female black prostitute
*A guy in a park who's actually just trying to con you out of $200
I think I'm forgetting someone, but hey, you can always fill your downtime with sexual fantasies about your own father!
Look, I get that my experience does not in any way equal the universal experience, least of all that of a young gay man from half a century ago. Still, the sexual content of this book is so over the top that I started to feel like, instead of one of the Classics of Gay Literature, I had accidentally acquired an A/B/O fic* in book form.
A Boy's Own Story is supposed to be an autobiographical novel, but it has very little narrative: mostly it's a series of incidents, loosely tied together. (The novel's notes reveal that several of the chapters were originally written and published separately, and it shows.) This format only serves to make the narrator's adventures seem more crazed and unlikely -- you reach a point in almost every chapter where you start to distantly hear the bow-chicka-bow-wow music playing. ("Dear Playgirl, all I did was order a pizza, but you'll never believe what happened!")
All that said: White can be a beautiful and descriptive writer. I read this because I loved [b:The Flaneur: A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris|109724|The Flaneur A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris|Edmund White|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369505859s/109724.jpg|16186642], a work of nonfiction about wandering around Paris and the history of several marginalized groups there. There are flashes of what made me respond to that book in A Boy's Own Story -- descriptions of the hotel the narrator lives in with his mother and sister, of summer at his father's lake house, of a woman who runs a bookstore. These passages are filled with brilliant, vivid observation. I will definitely be seeking out more of White's nonfiction work.
But I eyerolled throughout all of this novel's sexual shenanigans. I must be getting old.
(Elderly and cantankerous as I am, I have one last bone to pick, although not with White. Staring out at me from the front of my edition was this blurb from the Chicago Sun-Times: "The best American narrative of sexual awakening since [b:The Catcher in the Rye|5107|The Catcher in the Rye|J.D. Salinger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398034300s/5107.jpg|3036731]." Um. Did you read The Catcher in the Rye, anonymous Chicago Sun-Times critic from 1982? Or did you just catch the A/B/O AU on AO3? Just checking.)
*If you don't know what this is, bask in your innocence
*A 12-year-old "straight" baby jock who's really into anal
*Not one, but two separate camp counselors
*A "special" student who wanders around with a constant erection, which everyone just accepts, like, "Oh hey, it's whatshisname with his perma-boner"
*A teacher and his wife looking for a three-way
*A totally different teacher
*A female black prostitute
*A guy in a park who's actually just trying to con you out of $200
I think I'm forgetting someone, but hey, you can always fill your downtime with sexual fantasies about your own father!
Look, I get that my experience does not in any way equal the universal experience, least of all that of a young gay man from half a century ago. Still, the sexual content of this book is so over the top that I started to feel like, instead of one of the Classics of Gay Literature, I had accidentally acquired an A/B/O fic* in book form.
A Boy's Own Story is supposed to be an autobiographical novel, but it has very little narrative: mostly it's a series of incidents, loosely tied together. (The novel's notes reveal that several of the chapters were originally written and published separately, and it shows.) This format only serves to make the narrator's adventures seem more crazed and unlikely -- you reach a point in almost every chapter where you start to distantly hear the bow-chicka-bow-wow music playing. ("Dear Playgirl, all I did was order a pizza, but you'll never believe what happened!")
All that said: White can be a beautiful and descriptive writer. I read this because I loved [b:The Flaneur: A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris|109724|The Flaneur A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris|Edmund White|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1369505859s/109724.jpg|16186642], a work of nonfiction about wandering around Paris and the history of several marginalized groups there. There are flashes of what made me respond to that book in A Boy's Own Story -- descriptions of the hotel the narrator lives in with his mother and sister, of summer at his father's lake house, of a woman who runs a bookstore. These passages are filled with brilliant, vivid observation. I will definitely be seeking out more of White's nonfiction work.
But I eyerolled throughout all of this novel's sexual shenanigans. I must be getting old.
(Elderly and cantankerous as I am, I have one last bone to pick, although not with White. Staring out at me from the front of my edition was this blurb from the Chicago Sun-Times: "The best American narrative of sexual awakening since [b:The Catcher in the Rye|5107|The Catcher in the Rye|J.D. Salinger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398034300s/5107.jpg|3036731]." Um. Did you read The Catcher in the Rye, anonymous Chicago Sun-Times critic from 1982? Or did you just catch the A/B/O AU on AO3? Just checking.)
*If you don't know what this is, bask in your innocence
dipasquale_vinny's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Very personal reading of this, definitely flawed as it is from a 1950’s American boy perspective but that also sets the tone for the novel’s entirety. Style is fragmentary, sometimes awkward and confusing but that in my opinion added to the adolescent narration. A triumph in comparison to its heterosexual companion, the catcher in the rye. Perhaps this book gave me what that book was supposed to. Not for everyone I’m sure but I really loved it!
anpu325's review against another edition
3.0
cw: pedophilia, sexual abuse
This was a really hard book to capture my thoughts about. In one sense, the author's prose was beautiful. Also, the fact that the author, and thus protagonist in this basically autobiographical book, went to the same high school as me and had queer experiences there was fascinating. Like double exposed film, he inhabited the same places I had, in a different time and as a gay cisgender man rather than a trans person, but it was moving nonetheless.
However, my like of this book was soured by a seeming lack of disapproval for pedophilia as well as racist tropes being used to describe characters. Also the fact that the protagonist takes advantage of someone who was developmentally disabled for sex. His actions made me feel sick and it was hard to sympathize with him, especially since the book appears very autobiographical, so I can only assume these are things that the author actually did.
This was a really hard book to capture my thoughts about. In one sense, the author's prose was beautiful. Also, the fact that the author, and thus protagonist in this basically autobiographical book, went to the same high school as me and had queer experiences there was fascinating. Like double exposed film, he inhabited the same places I had, in a different time and as a gay cisgender man rather than a trans person, but it was moving nonetheless.
However, my like of this book was soured by a seeming lack of disapproval for pedophilia as well as racist tropes being used to describe characters. Also the fact that the protagonist takes advantage of someone who was developmentally disabled for sex. His actions made me feel sick and it was hard to sympathize with him, especially since the book appears very autobiographical, so I can only assume these are things that the author actually did.
pbraue13's review against another edition
4.0
"A Boy's Own Story" by Edmund White stands as a timeless masterpiece that transcends mere storytelling, delving into the very essence of human existence and identity. Through exquisite prose and profound introspection, White crafts a narrative that captivates the heart and mind, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul.
Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, the novel follows the journey of a young boy grappling with his burgeoning sexuality and the complexities of adolescent desire. With a keen eye for detail and a profound understanding of human emotions, White navigates the tumultuous landscape of adolescence, capturing the essence of longing, confusion, and self-discovery with unparalleled precision.
The protagonist's coming-of-age journey is depicted with both sensitivity and raw honesty, as he navigates the intricacies of desire amidst societal expectations and personal turmoil. White's portrayal of the protagonist's internal struggles resonates deeply, offering profound insights into the human condition and the universal quest for self-acceptance and love.
One of the most striking aspects of "A Boy's Own Story" is White's masterful prose, which effortlessly weaves together themes of sexuality, identity, and adolescence with lyrical beauty and emotional depth. His vivid descriptions evoke a sense of time and place, immersing the reader in the vivid tapestry of the protagonist's world.
As the narrative unfolds, White explores the complexities of desire and identity with nuance and sensitivity, delving into the protagonist's innermost thoughts and feelings with unwavering honesty. Through his journey of self-discovery, the protagonist grapples with questions of love, acceptance, and belonging, ultimately coming to terms with his true self in a poignant and cathartic conclusion.
The ending of "A Boy's Own Story" is both profound and deeply satisfying, offering a sense of closure while leaving room for contemplation and reflection. Through moments of heartache and triumph, the protagonist's journey resonates with authenticity and truth, serving as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
In conclusion, "A Boy's Own Story" is a triumph of narrative brilliance, a timeless classic that explores the depths of human experience with grace, empathy, and profound insight. Edmund White's masterful storytelling and profound understanding of the human condition make this novel an essential read for anyone seeking to explore the complexities of identity, desire, and self-discovery.
4.5/5 stars
Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, the novel follows the journey of a young boy grappling with his burgeoning sexuality and the complexities of adolescent desire. With a keen eye for detail and a profound understanding of human emotions, White navigates the tumultuous landscape of adolescence, capturing the essence of longing, confusion, and self-discovery with unparalleled precision.
The protagonist's coming-of-age journey is depicted with both sensitivity and raw honesty, as he navigates the intricacies of desire amidst societal expectations and personal turmoil. White's portrayal of the protagonist's internal struggles resonates deeply, offering profound insights into the human condition and the universal quest for self-acceptance and love.
One of the most striking aspects of "A Boy's Own Story" is White's masterful prose, which effortlessly weaves together themes of sexuality, identity, and adolescence with lyrical beauty and emotional depth. His vivid descriptions evoke a sense of time and place, immersing the reader in the vivid tapestry of the protagonist's world.
As the narrative unfolds, White explores the complexities of desire and identity with nuance and sensitivity, delving into the protagonist's innermost thoughts and feelings with unwavering honesty. Through his journey of self-discovery, the protagonist grapples with questions of love, acceptance, and belonging, ultimately coming to terms with his true self in a poignant and cathartic conclusion.
The ending of "A Boy's Own Story" is both profound and deeply satisfying, offering a sense of closure while leaving room for contemplation and reflection. Through moments of heartache and triumph, the protagonist's journey resonates with authenticity and truth, serving as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
In conclusion, "A Boy's Own Story" is a triumph of narrative brilliance, a timeless classic that explores the depths of human experience with grace, empathy, and profound insight. Edmund White's masterful storytelling and profound understanding of the human condition make this novel an essential read for anyone seeking to explore the complexities of identity, desire, and self-discovery.
4.5/5 stars
grayjay's review against another edition
3.0
The novel starts with our narrator, a 15 year old boy, in love with his 12 year old friend Kevin. Kevin instigates a physical relationship with the narrator, yet remains aloof emotionally while the narrator struggles with his homosexuality internally. It is the 1950s in the United States and homosexuality is much feared and little talked about. Through many adventures with men he encounters, our narrator explores his own sexuality, spiritual beliefs, and family values.
I found the first sex scene a little pornographic, which was startling; mostly because it was between a 15 year old and a 12 year old.
I enjoyed the elegance of White's writing - full of intelligence and wit..
I found the first sex scene a little pornographic, which was startling; mostly because it was between a 15 year old and a 12 year old.
I enjoyed the elegance of White's writing - full of intelligence and wit..
sam_bizar_wilcox's review against another edition
2.0
White's prose and aesthetic intuitions are divine. Too bad the narrative it clothes is, regrettably, boring. I was intrigued by the opening narrative: two boys, one "straight," engage in risque anal sex under the noses of their fathers, in a chapter that reflects on patriarchal relationships and what it means to be a good son. But even this chapter, with its taboo subject matter and deep excavation of a character's psyche, showed signs of White's propensity to veer off on tangents and loosely (too tenuously) connect ideas within a larger narrative. There were moments in this novel, such as his high school affection for the sporty/philosphical Tom, that were interesting and resonant, but most of the time I was put off by White's grandeur, verbosity, and narcissism.
viridiantre's review against another edition
2.0
that's like the ugly version of yukio mishima's confessions of a mask
sam_alex04's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
robert_bugeja's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0