A Boy's Own Story
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
'Every so often a novel comes along that is so ambitious in its intention and so confident of its voice that it reminds us what a singular and potent thing a novel can be' San Francisco Chronicle
The Edmund Trilogy Series
This series delves into the intricate inner world of a young boy grappling with his otherness and searching for his place in the world. The novels masterfully weave autobiographical elements with fiction, showcasing a clash between detached observation and a profound longing for acceptance and love. Readers will be captivated by the insightful exploration of adolescence, vulnerability, and the quest for identity. It's a timeless narrative about the universal human endeavor to understand oneself and connect with others.
Recommended Reading Order
- 1
- 2
When the narrator of White's poised yet scalding autobiographical novel first embarks on his sexual odyssey, it is the 1950s, and America is "a big gray country of families on drowsy holiday." That country has no room for a scholarly teenager with guilty but insatiable stirrings toward other men. Moving from a Midwestern college to the Stonewall Tavern on the night of the first gay uprising--and populated by eloquent queens, butch poseurs, and a fearfully incompetent shrink--The Beautiful Room is Empty conflates the acts of coming out and coming of age.
- 3
The Farewell Symphony
- 432 pages
- 16 hours of reading
The final volume of Edmund White's autobiographical trilogy continues the exploration of identity, sexuality, and personal history. Building on the themes from his previous works, it delves deeper into the complexities of the author's experiences and relationships. This installment promises to provide a profound and intimate reflection on his life, enriching the narrative established in the earlier books and offering readers a compelling conclusion to his story.