We don't mean to suggest a secret bromance between straight author John Irving and gay writer Edmund White, but in a recent interview, Irving called White's book A Boy's Own Story far superior to The Catcher in the Rye.
"We're the same age, and I remember when I first read A Boy's Own Story—in the early 1980s—and I thought that the novel spoke much more to me about a boy coming of age (even though it's about a gay boy coming of age, and I'm not gay) than The Catcher in the Rye ever did. I reread The Catcher in the Rye recently, and it doesn't hold up at all; it's just not very well, or very consistently, written. But A Boy's Own Story is beautifully wrought, and fiercely defiant; I could reread that novel every year and find something terrific I had missed in a previous reading. I believe Edmund White is one of the best writers of my generation; he's certainly the contemporary American writer I reread more than any other, and the one whose next book I look forward to reading most."
It's wonderful to hear when good writing by gay authors is applauded not for being good GAY fiction, but for being simply good fiction. Too often, readers limit themselves when universal themes and understanding can be found in all types of writing. (Yes, that means we can read and learn from straight authors, too). Hear hear, John Iriving!
I cannot corraborate or prove
I cannot corraborate or prove this because it happened so long ago, and the details of my few wild years living on GreenWich St. in 1970-1974 are more than foggy. Remember they invented Poppers during this period. This was back when I used to catalogue, count, and describe every guy I had sex with. That did not last long, when I reached 100 my first year 'Out'. Where were those mobile phone cameras and FaceBook when you really needed them?
I was living in GreenWich Village right after graduating NYU in 1970... My first apartment was on GreenWich St. across fron the WestBank, near the old popular bar on Greenwich St. (the 'International Stud' [what else!]). I was either there or at the RoadHouse around the corner, having just come out in 1970.
In my usual fashion I picked up this incredibly cute short guy in his '20s, and we went back to his place because I had 3 tricks living with me in that tiny studio with a matress on the floor.
He was Edmund White's 'houseboy', and it was 'ok' for him to have sex with street trash like me, if I looked clean & trustworthy (white?, republican?, suburban?, owned a car?,.. I passed the test!). After all I was already good enough for one of the City Opera's stage managers -and- a Lincoln Center director in the same year! I was getting cocky.
After the dirty deed and small talk, he introduced me to Edmund who was just the sweetest guy imaginable. At first I was emabarassed that I was standing there in my briefs all sweaty shaking this distinguished man's hand. But I was asked to stay for dinner (after the houseboy and I showered first). The houseboy cooked some incredible chicken something with fresh gay vegetables I was not used to (like fresh asparagus).. I remember all the erotic art all around the aprtment and being distracted by it.
Sorry to say, I was not familiar with Edmund's writings.. Thankfully he was so inquisitive about me, so we at least had something to talk about other than the dirty deed that just happened. I at first thought he was a shrink.
It seemed the houseboy sought me out because of my NYU Wrestling t-shirt, and he was pleasantly surprised that I knew what I was doing when I picked him up in the air in the bar like I was going to do a body slam. Edmund was also very interested in my warped brain, and this whole bravado/dominace thing that wrestlers had. It was as if he had never experienced testosterone in high school the way I had.
BTW, the houseboy and I were about the same age, but he seemed way younger and more playful. I sometimes wonder if I was brought in for added 'distraction' but was considered too intimidating and vanilla after they got to know me.
Anyway, it makes PERFECT sense to me why John Irving would write this about Edmund White..
I -never- understood 'Catcher in the Rye' either.. and they made us read it high school, in college, and even later when I TAUGHT high school. I thought it was some sick repressed homoerotic story. Who kills what they desire most? I would have wrestled the dude down and kissed him taking the consequences. That is what it was about, wasn't it? I also share a first name with one of the boys in the story which did not help.
I guess I should re-read all of Edmund's books now since I am such a devotee of John Irving and his wrestling schtick.
Please do not publish this if it anyway is injurious or slanderous to anyone...
But I had to tell someone.
Im a young man who's 'one of
Im a young man who's 'one of his boys,' and he is as you say a most kind and interesting man and still quite the handsome daddy at 68. Alls I wanted was for him to sign my book, and he took me to dinner afterward. Even though he has lots of friends , He makes you the center of his world when he's with you. The second part of his autobiography should be out this year. Enjoy!
Ed is a wonderful man and a
Ed is a wonderful man and a character, and he does indeed have a way of making things "about you" that is unusual and extremely generous. And anyone who hasn't read his work should absolutely do so, starting with A Boy's Own Story and then moving onto My Lives, his memoir. He writes from his own experiences much of the time, and he is an extremely sexual and sensual man.
I did have the chance to "be" with Ed once and it was much fun. He knows what he's doing, that's for sure!
Just passing by, tripped over
Just passing by, tripped over your site really. Still, looks nice.
I am from Maldives and too poorly know English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Philosophy of life - get full name - cheap airline tickets online only here."
Thank you very much :(. Geraldine.
In 1967, shortly before his
In 1967, shortly before his tragic death, I had Joe Orton while dancing the rhumba on a crowded dance floor.
I seriously doubt if this
I seriously doubt if this gentleman ever danced with the great Joe Orton.
Kenneth Williams was a good friend and somwhat confidant of Joe and nothing in his diaries suggest that Joe went ballroom dancing . Both Joe's plays and life were wonderfully anarchaic- he despised the mores of the established . His plays make us laugh but more importantly they challenge the preconcieved notions of the norm. Joe's life was far from tragic-the tragedy of his life was that he died far too young.
Ironically, just after we had
Ironically, just after we had climaxed and the pulsating latin rhythms ceased, Joe whispered "now I can die happy". He pressed two shillings and sixpence (a fortune in those days) into my reluctant palm, and was gone.
Gay life in London in the
Gay life in London in the 1960's was full of frisson and the unexpected. Perhaps it would be a kindness to Joe's memory if Mr McHugh would stop blabbering on about his inane fantasies. Remember_if you can recall the 60's you were not there.
Hah. -from Kenneth Williams'
Hah. -from Kenneth Williams' Diary viol 16: "ran into Joe Orton on my way home from a recording of Round the Horne. He said: 'I've just had fantabulosa sex on the dancefloor of the Hammersmith Palais, and it only cost me half a crown!'"
l am well aware of that entry
l am well aware of that entry in William's diary.According to my recollection, the gentleman in question, was an elderly pig farmer from Berkshire called Derek. He was wearing green wellies and a smart twin set. Surely Mr Mchugh is not Derek.
My late father was floor
My late father was floor manager of the Hammersmith Palais at the time mentioned and I can assure you he would never have permitted such activities to take place. By the way I once had someone who had read a poem by WH Auden; does that count?
Gentlemen, I actually met
Gentlemen, I actually met Derek and he confirmed that he had tea with Joe in a London cottage. Derek was a sweet man-his father was the Marquis Of Queensbury and his mother was a scullery maid from Hull. Derek could not read or write but managed to publish an audio book detailing sexual depravity during the reign of Pope Pius X. I do not think it was a success but he did manage to appear on "arena" and speak eloquentlly on this period in history. I remember meeting his family at the Dorchester and having afternoon tea where we spoke about our infidelities and fetishes. Derek was an avid exponent of Neo-platonism and always had plenty of loot.
And of course W.H Auden counts as a celebrity. He was one of the greatest poets of the 2oth century. "Four weddings and a funeral' popularised his poetry but his greatesst work is the Plyons. Anyway to me Derek was a celebrity and continues to make me chuckle with his memories of the demi-mode.
Excuse me. You don't stop
Excuse me. You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. Help me! Please help find sites for: How do you win stackers. I found only this - fireman diaper stackers. After cracker barrel was the symbolic quarter badly to bedford, pennsylvania. But navigating diaper by including the classes connected into the kite n't has its cut-sheets. Best regards :mad:, Aimery from Switzerland.
I met Edmund through a
I met Edmund through a website a few years back. I had no clue who he was when we met. I agree with everyone else who has written about him on this blog. He was the nicest guy I have met in a long time. He is extremely good looking (to me, at least). And he also was incredibly fun to be with (and you can take that in many contexts). :-) I have stayed in touch with him online ever since, but we live nowhere near each other, so I have never had the occasion to be with him again. But I would jump at the chance as he is such a great guy.
A "musical" uncle used to
A "musical" uncle used to boast about his "liason" with Noel Coward but nobody could take him seriously.
I don't know what all this
I don't know what all this nonsense here is about and clearly some people are just mocking but I just want to say that I personally love and always have loved Mr. White's work; he is original, unique and a true living legend without whose beautiful voice and powerful words the world would indeed be a more lack lustre place. His verson of "Never gonna give you up" or "My first, my last, my everything" are ones that never fail to fill my heart with that soft, warm gooey feeling. And when was the last time any of the posters here have had themselves filled with something soft, warm and gooey?
Very few people know that
Very few people know that Mundie and I go way back and, given that nobody reads these things, it won't make any difference if I take some time out from Vatican affairs to reveal all. Don't get me wrong, I still beleive that homosexuality is considerably worse than mass murder with extreme torture thrown in but, you know Edmund White is a helluva guy and knowing him was so life-changing, I'm inclined these days to say that maybe homosexuality isn't so bad if you like and respect the other guy. Not many people know that I am the inspiration for this controversial author's seminal ( and I do mean seminal) work "A Nun's Own Story". Also I well recall meeting him in Paris 20 years ago. 'Hey Ratzie, (he always called me that), I'm bored!' 'Hey Mundie, loosen up!' I replied 'Just mosey on down to the Sorbonne and do some research on an interminable biography of some French weird guy which will result in being awarded the French Government's prestigious "L'Ordre Du Pouf Celebre".' And you know, that's exactly what he did. Isn't life grand?
Thats nothin. I am the
Thats nothin. I am the inspiration for not one but TWO works by this controversial author: "Act Like A Nance" his infamous sex manual, and "Guacamole" a gay recipe book.
Mr White was thinking of me
Mr White was thinking of me when he wrote "gay Texans are so butch they swig perrier water straight from the bottle" or something like that its ages since I read anything by him, is he still alive?
Good evening. In America,
Good evening. In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from.
I am from Colombia and also now am reading in English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Janice feels stina now and then fills if she's carrying the anything."
Thank :-D AtherTon.
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