The 57 male novelists in this volume range from Isherwood and Baldwin to Maupin and Leavitt, with some lesser-known writers appearing as well. There are notable absences, but several authors requested that they not be included. Each entry includes a biography, summary of major works and themes, assessment of critical reception, and bibliography of both primary sources and selected studies. The bibliographies are wildly uneven. Primary sources list only novels for some authors, whereas for others short stories and nonfiction are also given. Secondary sources also vary greatly, but generally not enough scholarly articles are given. Still, the material provided is excellent, and the sections on critical reception, which often delineate how homophobia has informed critical opinion, are invaluable and unprecedented. A fine essay by Gregory Bredbeck helps define the idea of "gay literature." Gay/lesbian studies are blossoming, and this volume will begin to fill the enormous gap in our reference collections on the subject; nothing like it is currently available. A companion volume on lesbian writers is forthcoming. Recommended for all undergraduate and research collections.
- Brian Kenney, Brooklyn P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
This book would be strongly recommended if for no other reason than that so little has been published about most of the novelists. It is important for providing analysis unavailable elsewhere.
The material provided is excellent, and the sections on critical reception, which often delineate how homophobia has informed critical opinion, are invaluable and unprecedented. A fine essay by Gregory Bredbeck helps define the idea of 'gay literature.' Gay/lesbian studies are blossoming, and this volume will begin to fill the enormous gap in our reference collections on the subject; nothing like it is currently available.
Hardbound and made to last a century or so, the book covers fifty-seven modern gay novelists, giving you run-downs on each writer's biography, books and reputation. There are big names and small, some dubious, and some missing, but the volume is definitely historic.
Nelson has done an excellent job in editing this book about gay novelists, which should be a welcome addition in all research libraries as well as other libraries where there is an interest in gay and lesbian culture. It fills a need in the area of gay and lesbian studies and is recommended for academic and large public libraries.
See all Editorial Reviews
