Loving Mountains, Loving Men (Ethnicity & Gender In Appalach) [Paperback]

Jeff Mann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2005 | Series: Ethnicity & Gender In Appalach

Loving Mountains, Loving Men is the first book-length treatment of a topic rarely discussed or examined before: gay life in Appalachia. Appalachians are known for their love of place, yet many gays and lesbians from the mountains flee to urban areas. Jeff Mann tells the story of one who left and then returned, who insists on claiming and celebrating both regional and erotic identities. In memoir and poetry, Mann describes his life as an openly gay man who has remained true to his mountain roots. Mann first describes his upbringing in Hinton, a small town in southern West Virginia, as well as his realization of his homosexuality, his early experiences of homophobia, his coterie of supportive lesbian friends, and his initial attempts to escape his native region in hopes of finding a freer life in urban gay communities. Mann depicts his difficult search for a romantic relationship, the family members who have given him the strength to defy convention, his anger against religious intolerance and the violence of homophobia, and his love for the rich folk culture of the Highland South. His character and values shaped by the mountains, Mann has reconciled his homosexuality with both traditional definitions of Appalachian manhood and his own attachment to home and kin. Loving Mountains, Loving Men is the compelling, universal story of making peace with oneself and the wider world. AUTHOR INFORMATION---Jeff Mann is a professor of creative writing at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. He is the author of a collection of poetry, Bones Washed with Wine, and a memoir, Edge. SIDEBAR QUOTE---“The sheer beauty of the prose in the memoir and the language of the poetry is incredible. This is one of the great watershed books of Appalachian literature. Its contribution to the field of Appalachian studies and gay/gender studies is significant.” ---Danny L. Miller, coeditor of An American Vein: Critical Readings in Appalachian Literature

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Ohio University Press; 1st Edition edition (November 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821416502
• ISBN-13: 978-0821416501
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,509,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeff Mann grew up in Covington, Virginia, and Hinton, West Virginia, receiving degrees in English and forestry from West Virginia University. His poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in many publications, including The Spoon River Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, Shenandoah, Laurel Review, The Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide, Crab Orchard Review, Appalachian Heritage, Best Gay Poetry, Best Gay Erotica, and Best Gay Stories. He has published three award-winning poetry chapbooks, Bliss, Mountain Fireflies, and Flint Shards from Sussex; three full-length books of poetry, Bones Washed with Wine, On the Tongue, and Ash: Poems from Norse Mythology; two collections of personal essays, Edge: Travels of an Appalachian Leather Bear and Binding the God: Ursine Essays from the Mountain South; a novel, Fog: A Novel of Desire and Reprisal; two novellas, Devoured, included in Masters of Midnight: Erotic Tales of the Vampire, and Camp Allegheny, included in History's Passion: Stories of Sex Before Stonewall; a book of poetry and memoir, Loving Mountains, Loving Men; and a volume of short fiction, A History of Barbed Wire, which won a Lambda Literary Award. He teaches creative writing at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!, January 11, 2006

By 

Laurie Bugg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loving Mountains, Loving Men (Ethnicity & Gender In Appalach) (Paperback)

Talk about dual crosses to bear, in a small West Virginia town, if you cared what people thought........ [we had] the most colorfully freakish family in Summers County. Only my mother, bless her, was normal."

"

Jeff Mann's "­Loving Mountains, Loving Men" is as enjoyable as it is painful. I grew up in small town Appalachia as a confused and lonely lesbian. I can relate to all Mann says in his memoir, needing only to replace names and places. It is a scary place to be when you know you are "different" from your peers. Mann's transformation from teenager to the man he is today is one that I am sure many of us or someone we know can relate to. And if you can't, then you need to read this book to understand.

Mann's writing is humorous and colorful. Just when I feel his anger, he gives me a chuckle. When he makes me cry at a loss, he feeds my hunger with a new passion. I cannot help but think of all the "Brokeback Mountain" stories like his there have been, are, and will be in this world. I can only hope that more of us will become strong like Mann in our convictions and struggle to stand up for what is right and good in this life

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to every reader!, February 1, 2006

By 

BB (Blacksburg, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loving Mountains, Loving Men (Ethnicity & Gender In Appalach) (Paperback)

I cannot say enough about how much this book inspires me. The writing is sophisticated and highly compassionate. He is the first writer to put me to tears while reading. As a gay man in the mountains, I have identified so much with his life. I believe anybody who has ever been in love will be moved by his words. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up immediately!

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVING MOUNTAINS LOVING MEN., July 10, 2006

By 

James G. Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loving Mountains, Loving Men (Ethnicity & Gender In Appalach) (Paperback)

Jeff Mann's book has been the most challenging works I have spent time with in a long time.The beauty of language lured me into the author's life. The simply poetry of existence that infuses he book certainly adde d to the mix that lead me deeper into this piece. As a gay man living in the city I learned a great deal about gay men in mountain regions of the south.His telling story of himself and his life and family was most inspiring.

The gift of Jeff Mann offers us is priceless. He offers us as clear of a view of his queer life as a poet can make it. I feel privileged to have shared Mann's deep exploration of spirit and flesh. I am grateful. I would encourage folks to take the time to read this book with intent, paying close attention to the stories one tells oneself as Mann skillfully weaves his within the readoer's own heart and mind.