When I Knew (Paperback)

by Robert Trachtenberg (Author)
Key Phrases: Lily Tomlin, Swan Lake

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
When I was six," writes Tammy Lynn Michaels, "I loved my first grade teacher so much I knew I would have to grow up to be a boy so I could come back and ask her to marry me." Documentarian Trachtenberg (American Masters: On Cukor) brings together the comical, sometimes bitter and always poignant moments when gay men and women first realize (or admit) the truth about their own sexual preference. Trachtenberg has gathered some famous names for his collection (Gavin Lambert, Arthur Laurents, B.D. Wong, Simon Doonan), but perhaps the freshest stories come from voices unknown. What surprises is how often these moments stem from confrontations with an ostensibly heterosexual mass culture: TV, Broadway, the movies, organized sport—all of which are represented in the lavish set of collaged color illustrations that fill most every page, along with comics and candids of the contributors. Eugenio Zanetti recalls watching Miyoshi Umeki being kissed by Brando in Sayonara, in a theater in Buenos Aires in the 1950s, and leaning back in his seat "at the exact same angle as Miyoshi." For Eugenia Kurt, it was a mesmerizing encounter with Rosalind Russell in the nun comedy The Trouble with Angels. This book is composed of equal parts insight, shame and soul. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–A collection of anecdotes by 80 gay men and women about that moment when they first knew at some level the truth of their sexual orientation. Each story is accompanied by a photograph or cartoon that helps make the book visually appealing. Some of the selections are comical; others are poignant, like the one about the grandmother who made her grandson cry when she denounced parents who couldn't accept the truth. These people tell their stories with humor, courage, and defiance. There is plenty of food for thought and discussion within these pages.–Peggy Bercher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment (May 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060571462
• ISBN-13: 978-0060571467
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #358,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful, June 18, 2005

By	Jon Hunt "musician, teacher" (Old Greenwich, Ct. USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Robert Trachtenberg's compilation of stories from gays and lesbians entitled, "When I Knew", is a beautiful book. The accounts telling of that special moment when one first knew he or she was gay reflect a wide spectrum of emotion.....some are funny, others simply poignant or moving. Trachtenberg reminds us, especially, of a time when being gay was substantially more difficult than it is today, but it's also a reminder that those difficulties still abound. "When I Knew" should be required reading not only by men and women who have had, or do now, struggle with their sexual identity, but it should also be read by those who wish to make gay people's lives harder. When one reads these mostly short contributions it's hard not to feel empathy, love and concern. I highly recommend this book, not only for its beauty but also for its timeliness.

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ladies and Gentleman.....Cher!, August 1, 2005

By	Joe Kort "www.joekort.com" (Royal Oak, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I knew I was gay when I used to put my sister's black tights on my head and throw back the legs as if they were my hair the way Cher would do on the "Sonny and Cher Show". My mother would grab them from my head and tell me little boys cannot be Cher but I still did it when I was alone!

This book is wonderful because it reminds people that we were once gay and lesbian *children*. You will be thrown back to when you recall knowing and laugh as you read others accounts themseves.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much for the "nurture" theory, September 2, 2005

By	S. L. Patterson "avid reader" (Salt Lake City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I left this book on the kitchen counter and at least a dozen people have picked it up, thumbed through it or just sat down right there and read it. I caught many of them laughing--even my mother.

This book is just plain entertaining--from the great artwork and photos, to the typography and layout--and mostly for the poignant and often funny anecdotes describing when each writer first discovered that he or she was "other than heterosexual".

A well-designed and -written book that goes beautifully on the coffee table and breaks plenty of ice.