Gay Fiction Speaks: Conversations with Gay Novelists (Between Men-Between Women: Lesbian and Gay Studies)

A collection of in-depth analytical interviews with twelve of the best-known gay novelists writing in English today, including Armistead Maupin, David Leavitt, Alan Garganus, and others. Today's most celebrated, prominent, and promising authors of gay fiction in English explore the literary influences and themes of their work in these revealing interviews with Richard Canning. Though the interviews touch upon a wide range of issues—including gay culture, AIDS, politics, art, and activism—what truly distinguishes them is the extent to which Canning encourages the authors to reflect on their writing practices, published work, literary forebears, and their writing peers—gay and straight. • Edmund White talks about narrative style and the story behind the cover of __A Boy's Own Story__. • Armistead Maupin discusses his method of writing and how his work has adapted to television. • Dennis Cooper thinks about L.A., AIDS, __Try__, and pop music. • Alan Hollinghurst considers structure and point of view in __The Folding Star__, and why __The Swimming-Pool Library__ is exactly 366 pages long. • David Leavitt muses on the identity of the gay reader—and the extent to which that readership defined a tradition. • Andrew Holleran wonders how he might have made __The Beauty of Men__ "more forlorn, romantic, lost" by writing in the first person. Today's Most Celebrated, Prominent, And Promising Authors Of Gay-themed Fiction In English Explore The Literary Influences And Themes Of Their Work. Though The Interviews Touch Upon A Wide Range Of Issues Including Gay Culture, Aids, Politics, Art, And Activism, What Truly Distinguishes Them Is The Extent To Which Canning Encourages The Authors To Reflect On Their Writing Practices, Published Work, Literary Influences, And Their Writing Peers, Gay And Straight. Ethan Mordden Talks About Narrative Style, And How He Came To Write How Long Has This Been Going On? Allan Gurganus Reminisces Fondly About His Childhood Love Of The Bible And The Music Of Sermons. David Leavitt Muses On The Identity Of The Gay Reader - And The Extent To Which That Readership Defined A Tradition. Andrew Holleran Wonders How He Might Have Made The Beauty Of Men More Forlorn, Romantic, Lost By Writing In The First Person. The Resulting Interviews Lend A Fresh Perspective To The Works Discussed, Unleashing Them From The Narrow Confines Historically Applied To Them And Giving The Writers Themselves A Much-deserved Forum For Good Literary Conversation.--jacket. Foreword / By David Bergman -- Introduction -- James Purdy -- John Rechy -- Edmund White -- Andrew Holleran -- Armistead Maupin -- Felice Picano -- Allan Gurganus -- Ethan Mordden -- Dennis Cooper -- Alan Hollinghurst -- David Leavitt -- Patrick Gale. Richard Canning. Includes Bibliographical References. "Today's most celebrated, prominent, and promising authors of gay-themed fiction in English explore the literary influences and themes of their work. Though the interviews touch upon a wide range of issues including gay culture, AIDS, politics, art, and activism, what truly distinguishes them is the extent to which Canning encourages the authors to reflect on their writing practices, published work, literary influences, and their writing peers, gay and straight. Ethan Mordden talks about narrative style, and how he came to write How Long Has This Been Going On? Allan Gurganus reminisces fondly about his childhood love of the Bible and the "music of sermons." David Leavitt muses on the identity of the gay reader - and the extent to which that readership defined a tradition. Andrew Holleran wonders how he might have made The Beauty of Men "more forlorn, romantic, lost" by writing in the first person. The resulting interviews lend a fresh perspective to the works discussed, unleashing them from the narrow confines historically applied to them and giving the writers themselves a much-deserved forum for good literary conversation."--BOOK JACKET. Writer Richard Canning presents the results of his detailed interviews with 12 gay novelists. The interviews focus on the writers' ideas rather than their personal lives, and Canning's style of interviewing lends a collaborative, improvisational feeling to the discussions. Writers include James Purdy, Edmund White, Armistead Maupin, Felice Picano, Ethan Mordden, Alan Hollinghurst, and Patrick Gale. Lacks a subject index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Contents Foreword by David Bergman Introduction 1. James Purdy 2. John Rechy 3. Edmund White 4. Andrew Holleran 5. Armistead Maupin 6. Felice Picano 7. Allan Gurganus 8. Ethan Mordden 9. Dennis Cooper 10. Alan Hollinghurst 11. David Leavitt 12. Patrick Gale