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lucyqwang's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bookstew's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.5
blueloris's review against another edition
4.0
Reading the end of this book while listening to Jeff Buckely's "I Know It's Over" was a really bad idea.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
So, like, 3 years after Garth tells me to read this, I finally get around to it (bc I need a book published in my birth year for like two different reading challenges, lol)
This feels so much like a window into a very different time, that it's almost a lost culture of New York City in the 1970s with the all-night discos and the legendary Fire Island parties since so many of this generation of queer people, particularly queer men, were gone within 10 years of publication. But also in the patter of speech and how men related to each other. (And then I did the actual math and the action of the book is 50 years old and some of the characters are emulating the Hollywood Golden Age actresses of the 30s, which would have been almost 50 years prior, so wow)
Also the little thow-away line at the end of the book that despite the space the Scene takes up in the queer community, there are others out there who are not part of the Scene and that's a revelation to one of the narrators (this is essentially a book within a frame narrative, that I actually forgot about in the middle)
So thanks Garth, for telling me to read this.
This feels so much like a window into a very different time, that it's almost a lost culture of New York City in the 1970s with the all-night discos and the legendary Fire Island parties since so many of this generation of queer people, particularly queer men, were gone within 10 years of publication. But also in the patter of speech and how men related to each other. (And then I did the actual math and the action of the book is 50 years old and some of the characters are emulating the Hollywood Golden Age actresses of the 30s, which would have been almost 50 years prior, so wow)
Also the little thow-away line at the end of the book that despite the space the Scene takes up in the queer community, there are others out there who are not part of the Scene and that's a revelation to one of the narrators (this is essentially a book within a frame narrative, that I actually forgot about in the middle)
So thanks Garth, for telling me to read this.
flowerjones's review against another edition
Read for Queer Theology course, spring 2022
ryandmcphee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
millspages's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly thoroughly enjoyed this. It was very interesting reading a novel about gay society dating before all the trauma of the aids epidemic, but also how emotional it was. Malone's constant idea that he would never find love, be able to settle down, to achieve that typical atomic family was heartbreaking especially reading it in a time where it's possible. Sutherland's character made this book for me I found him incredibly entertaining!
I really enjoyed the way it opens and closes with the letters between friends, it did definitely feel like I was prying on a personal conversation which is quite a unique way to write. Would definitely recommend!
I really enjoyed the way it opens and closes with the letters between friends, it did definitely feel like I was prying on a personal conversation which is quite a unique way to write. Would definitely recommend!
nickoftheparty's review against another edition
4.0
Gorgeous. Such an ur-text of (cis white male) queerness. Deeply relatable, even half a century later.
emerbk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
niionatan01's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
‘dancer from the dance’ is an intoxicating tale of homosexuality in 1970s new york through the focus of malone. malone is the handsome and enchanting gay man who’s short queer life is put on display in this novel.
it is a novel of doomed romance, of hidden despair, of shame, of loneliness and isolation. a lot of stories focus on growth and positive change within its main characters, but you witness malone devolve and become just another part of the cities queer culture. it’s an interesting approach and one that certainly makes this book standout. not to mention it’s so beautifully written. this story is before the aids epidemic which has dominated a lot of modern queer literature for obvious reasons, but exploring the queer subculture in new york before the devastation is such an incredible experience.
it is a novel of doomed romance, of hidden despair, of shame, of loneliness and isolation. a lot of stories focus on growth and positive change within its main characters, but you witness malone devolve and become just another part of the cities queer culture. it’s an interesting approach and one that certainly makes this book standout. not to mention it’s so beautifully written. this story is before the aids epidemic which has dominated a lot of modern queer literature for obvious reasons, but exploring the queer subculture in new york before the devastation is such an incredible experience.