Reading Group: Discussions 2005

LGBT Community Center NYC The Gay & Lesbian Reading Group, based in New York City, is a friendly and diverse discussion group founded circa 1982. We welcome everyone interested in GLBT Literature, and appreciate all points of view. We read contemporary and classic works of GLBT-related fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Join us the second Thursday of each month, 8:00pm at the LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, NYC.

In addition to many GLBT Literature Resources, this site also archives information about the G&L Reading Group from 1997 to today, including all of the books we have discussed.

Books & Resources: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 || Books Only: 1998 | 1997 || Full Index

2005 \| January 13: Brideshead Revisted Evelyn Waugh's 1945 Novel Waugh Resources Brideshead Revisted – Amazon.com resources Waugh (glbtq.com) – excellent article discusses same-sex aspects of his work Waugh – biographical sketch and bibliography, from Books and Writers site Doubting Hall – John Porter's in-depth "guided tour around the works of Evelyn Waugh" offers many resources An Evelyn Waugh Website – David Cliffe provides a wealth of information on Waugh, including a comprehensive guide to Brideshead Revisited 20th Century GLBT English Literature – explore the broader GLBT literary tradition which informs this work Waugh Films (IMDb) – including the classic 1981 TV mini-series (and possible feature film starring Jude Law) of Brideshead Revisited, gay writer/actor/director Stephen Fry's Bright Young Things (2003, based on Waugh's Vile Bodies), and more. — DVD of complete, 11-hour 1981 mini-series of Brideshead Revisted.
February 10: All-Night Party Andrea Barnet's 2004 Historical Study Resources All-Night Party: The Women of Bohemian Greenwich Village and Harlem, 1913–1930 – Amazon.com resources New York City & GLBT Experience – NYC was and is a capital of GLBT life and arts Lesbian American Literature, 1900-1969 – for historical literary context Harlem Renaissance & GLBT Experience – this 1920s/30s African-American literary movement included several important GLBT writers and artists; essay includes links to more information about individual figures Lesbian African-American Literature – includes a section on Harlem Renaissance authors Lesbian Novel – for a wide-ranging historical context, includes American and international authors Blues Music & GLBT Experience Jazz & GLBT Experience Paris Was A Woman (link to my review) – filmmaker Greta Schller's (Before Stonewall) illuminating and moving documentary about Paris's 1920s/30s Left Bank lesbian artistic circle, focusing on Gertrude Stein, Colette, and others – several of the women artists profiled in this documentary also figure prominently, when they cross the Atlantic, in All-Night Party
March 10: In Cold Blood Truman Capote's 1966 'Non-Fiction Novel' Capote Resources In Cold Blood – Amazon.com resources Capote (glbtq.com) – excellent overview of same-sex aspects of his life and work Gay Male American Literature, 1900–1969 (glbtq.com) – explore the broader GLBT literary tradition which informs this work Capote's Room – critiques of his works, bibliography, links Truman Capote: A Black + White Tribute – photos and excerpts Truman Capote Papers (35k PDF download) – guide to collection held at New York Public Library; includes an introduction We discussed in December 2001 Capote's autobiographical novel Other Voices, Other Rooms (link is to discussion summary) Capote Films (IMDb) — 1967 film of In Cold Blood is now on DVD – written and directed by Richard Brooks (who as a novelist wrote the gay-themed 1945 suspense novel The Brick Foxhole – although in the 1951 film version, retitled Crossfire, the motive for the pivotal murder was changed from homophobia to anti-Semitism)
April 14: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe Carson McCullers's 1951 Novella McCullers Resources Ballad of the Sad Cafe – Amazon.com resources SPECIAL for our group! Stuart Sherman's Reminiscences of Carson McCullers – our late, multi-talented fellow member Stuart Sherman, as a young man, lived with McCullers in her home at Nyack, NY and served as her secretary/ companion. Exclusively for our group, Stuart has left the complete article from which he read an excerpt at our September 2000 discussion of her novel, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I prepared this Web version under his guidance. Carson McCullers Project – many resources and links McCullers (glbtq.com) – overview of same-sex aspects of her life and work Lesbian American Literature, 1900-1969 (glbtq.com) – see McCullers in a fuller context Lesbian Novel – historical context We discussed McCullers's Reflections in a Golden Eye in July 2003 (discussion summary), Member of the Wedding in May 2002 (discussion summary), The Heart is a Lonely Hunter in September 2000 (discussion summary). Theatre Connection: 1963 theatrical adaptation of Ballad of the Sad Cafe by playwright Edward Albee (Who's Afraid of Viriginia Woolf?) McCullers Films (IMDb) — 1991 film of Ballad of the Sad Cafe directed by Simon Callow (featured actor in Four Weddings and a Funeral). Here is The New York Times review of the film.
May 12: Julian Gore Vidal's 1964 Historical Novel Vidal & Emperor Julian Resources Julian – Amazon.com resources Vidal (Wikipedia.org) – excellent resource to begin exploring Vidal's life and works, includes a mini-biography, notes on his books and plays, dozens of links, as well as details about Roman history Vidal (glbtq.com) – overview of same-sex aspects of his life and work Gore Vidal Index – Harry Kloman's informative site includes many writings by and about Vidal Vidal as a New York Times "Featured Author" – dozens of NYT articles by and about Vidal from 1946–1999. NOTE: This invaluable resource could 'disappear' at any time, so if you are interested please visit it soon Vidal at The New York Review of Books – dozens of articles: some are free, others require paying a fee Vidal "Uncensored" in November 2003 (laweekly.com) – a far-ranging interview in which Vidal shares his views on America past, present and future Vidal Quotations (quotationspage.com) – a few of his choicest witticisms (e.g., "Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half."), with links to more Gay Male American Literature, 1900–1969 (glbtq.com) – explore the broader GLBT literary tradition which informs this work Gay Male Novel (glbtq.com) – for an historical literary context Ancient GLBT Roman Literature (glbtq.com) – for a perspective on GLBT history and writing in the era of Emperor Julian Emperor Julian Resources – links to several choice articles on various historical and philosophical aspects of Julian's reign, as well as a review of Vidal's novel Historical writings related to Julian: Two orations written by Emperor Julian – "To the Sovereign Sun" and "To the Mother of the Gods" Plotinus's Six Enneads – by the Neoplatonist philosopher who deeply influenced Julian Porphyry's "Concerning Cult Images" – one of the few surviving works by Plotinus's pupil, who also inspired Julian Vidal Films (IMDb) – Vidal has many credits as screenwriterwriter, actor and himself
June 9: The Song of the Lark Willa Cather's 1915 Novel Cather Resources The Song of the Lark – Amazon.com resources The Song of the Lark – FREE unabridged book-like edition – attractively formatted, including graphics from the 1915 first edition. Willa Cather Page – biography, photos, analysis, more Cather (glbtq.com) – overview of same-sex aspects of her life and work The Song of the Lark Readers Guide – background, discussion topics, more Art in Cather's Fiction – paintings related to The Song of the Lark – including Jules Bréton's The Song of the Lark, 1884 – and more Lesbian American Literature, 1900-1969 (glbtq.com) – see Cather in a fuller context Lesbian Novel (glbtq.com) – for a wide-ranging historical context, includes American and international authors Northern Great Plains, 1880–1920 – region where Cather grew up and set many of her works, with essays and hundreds of photos Metropolitan Opera History – historical backdrop of the novel, with articles, photos, more GLBT Connections to Opera (glbtq.com) – opera is at the heart of Cather's novel, and here you can explore its rich GLBT traditions Cather's Books Free Online – over a dozen of Cather's major works are in the public domain and available FREE onlne Cather Films (IMDb) — The Song of the Lark TV adaptation (pbs.org) – a wealth of resources not only on the Masterpiece Theatre adaptation but on Cather's life and work, opera in America, more; includes a teacher's guide with discussion questions
July 14: I Am My Own Wife Charlotte von Mahlsdorf's 1995 Memoir Mahlsdorf Resources I Am My Own Wife – Amazon.com resources – reviews, readers' comments, leave your own comments, buy new or used. (Although we are not reading it, this book was the inspiration for Doug Wright's 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama I Am My Own Wife: A Play.) Review of I Am My Own Wife – from The Monarch: Canada's Transgender Reader, Winter 1997, Issue # 44 Transgender (glbtq.com) – brief history of the Transgender movement Cross-Dressing: a literary perspective (glbtq.com) Cross-Dressing: a social sciences perspective (glbtq.com) Brief history of pre-Nazi and Nazi Germany including GLBT life – from my review of early German gay-themed films GLBT German history (glbtq.com) – includes extensive bibliographies and related links GLBT German literature: 19th & 20th Centuries (glbtq.com) – excellent survey of this important literary tradition, with additional resources Paragraph 175 – Rob Epstein and Jeff Friedman's powerful documentary about German GLBT life in the Nazi era Experimental German gay filmmaker Rosa von Praunheim directed I Am My Own Woman, a feature-length motion picture version of Mahlsdorf's book in 1995 (using her original title) Two other films about German transgendered women are the recent musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001; written, directed by and starring John Cameron Mitchell, music and lyrics by Stephen Trask – from their long-running off-Broadway show) and one of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's most celebrated and controversial films, In a Year With 13 Moons), which he wrote, directed, photographed, and edited himself after the tragic death of his lover. Rainer Werner Fassbinder, openly and defiantly gay, is the most acclaimed modern German filmmaker, and his pictures chronicle the world in which von Mahlsdorf lived. His BRD Trilogy – comprised of The Marriage of Maria Braun, Lola, and Veronika Voss – is a powerful tragi-comic history of post-Nazi Germany.
August 11: Delta of Venus Anaïs Nin's 1977 Story Collection (written in the 1940s) Nin Resources Delta of Venus – Amazon.com resources – reviews, readers' comments, leave your own comments, buy new or used Anaïs Nin (Wikipedia) – introduction to Nin, with links to the people and places important in her life Anaïs Nin (glbtq.com) – overview of same-sex aspects of her life and work Anaïs Nin Homepage – biographical sketch, photos,bibliography, more Anaïs Nin Website – recollections of people who knew the enigmatic author personally and scholarly resources "The Secret Life of Anaïs Nin" (salon.com) – interview with Deirdre Bair, whose Anaïs Nin: A Biography won the National Book Award Linotte: The Early Diary of Anaïs Nin, 1914–1920 (Excerpts) – generous selection of extracts, written between the ages of 11 and 17 Anaïs Nin Quotations – many excerpts from her journals and fiction, photo gallery, more Nin Films (IMDb); includes all of her books which have been filmed
September 8: City of Night John Rechy's 1963 Novel Rechy Resources City of Night – Amazon.com resources – reviews, readers' comments, leave your own comments, buy new or used JohnRechy.com – the author's site, with a wealth of resources John Rechy: Pilgrim Soul (Lambda Literary Foundation) – outstanding exploration of Rechy's life and works by John-Manuel Andriote John Rechy (glbtq.com) – overview of same-sex aspects of his life and career John Rechy (365Gay.com) – good brief introduction Mysteries and Desire: Searching the Worlds of John Rechy – innovative multimedia exploration of "the fictional nature of autobiography, memory, and history" through Rechy's life and writings; co-created by Rechy in 1999. this exhibition toured internationally Rechy defends City of Night – The New York Review of Books, October 31, 1996 Gay Male Novel (glbtq.com) – for an historical literary context Gay Male American Literature, 1900–1969 (glbtq.com) – explore the broader GLBT literary tradition which informs this work Latino GLBT Literature (glbtq.com) – see Rechy's work in the context of the GLBT Latino literary tradition Rechy Films(IMDb) — My Own Private Idaho – writer/director Gus Van Sant was greatly influenced by City of Night, which he gave to River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, the stars of this film, as research into street life
October 13: The Children's Hour Lillian Hellman's 1934 Play Hellman Resources The Children's Hour – Amazon.com resources – reviews, readers' comments, leave your own comments, buy new or used Lillian Hellman – brief introduction to her life and work Hellman (Wikipedia) – includes links to information about her major plays and books Hellman (PBS's American Masters series) – features a video clip of her victory over the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1952 Hellman's FBI File – for decades she was spied on by the FBI because of her "subversive" liberal views GLBT Connections to Modern Drama (glbtq) – excellent overview; provides context for The Children's Hour Hellman Films (IMDb) — The Children's Hour on DVD – the 1961 film version from director William Wyler (The Best Years of Our Lives) stars Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine; Wyler had previously filmed this same play in 1936 under the title These Three, from Hellman's own screenplay, starring Merle Oberon and Miriam Hopkins (who also appears in the 1961 film)
November 10: Funny Boy Shyam Selvadurai's 1994 Novel Selvadurai Resources Funny Boy – Amazon.com resources – reviews, readers' comments, leave your own comments, buy new or used Shyam Selvadurai's Website – information on himself and his books, with links to reviews and more Funny Boy Resources (Canadian Literature & Culture site) – biographical, cultural and literary perspectives South Asian GLBT Literature (glbtq.com) – cultural and literary context Canadian GLBT Literature in English (glbtq.com) – Selvadurai has lived in Canada since 1983. (glbtq also offers an overview of Québécois GLBT Literature.) Coming Out Stories (glbtq.com) – the larger tradition behind this novel Gay Male Novel (glbtq.com) – for an historical literary overview Asian GLBT Film (glbtq.com) – although there is no announced film adapation of this book, the above link goes to an overview of GLBT Asian cinema.
December 14: Under the Net Iris Murdoch's 1954 Novel Murdoch Resources Under the Net – Amazon.com resources: reviews, readers' comments, other works by the author. If you order a new or used copy here you help support this site – thanks! Murdoch (Wikipedia) – introduction, bibliography, links Murdoch Resources – much information Murdoch Internet Resources – many links "Iris Murdoch" by Joyce Carol Oates – excellent overview of Murdoch's work up to 1978, when this essay was published "Go(o)d in Iris Murdoch" by Alan Jacobs – philosophical and theological themes in her work We discussed Murdoch's 1958 novel The Bell in September 2002, her 1978 novel The Sea The Sea in January 2003, and her 1973 novel The Black Prince in April 2004. Murdoch Films (IMDb) — Iris (2001) is a biography of Murdoch, directed by Richard Eyre, starring (here is my review of Iris).

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Reading Group: Discussions 2005

2005 | January 13: Brideshead Revisted

Evelyn Waugh's 1945 Novel

Waugh Resources

February 10: All-Night Party

Andrea Barnet's 2004 Historical Study

Resources

March 10: In Cold Blood

Truman Capote's 1966 'Non-Fiction Novel'

Capote Resources

April 14: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

Carson McCullers's 1951 Novella

McCullers Resources

May 12: Julian

Gore Vidal's 1964 Historical Novel

Vidal & Emperor Julian Resources

June 9: The Song of the Lark

Willa Cather's 1915 Novel

Cather Resources

July 14: I Am My Own Wife

Charlotte von Mahlsdorf's 1995 Memoir

Mahlsdorf Resources

August 11: Delta of Venus

Anaïs Nin's 1977 Story Collection (written in the 1940s)

Nin Resources

September 8: City of Night

John Rechy's 1963 Novel

Rechy Resources

October 13: The Children's Hour

Lillian Hellman's 1934 Play

Hellman Resources

November 10: Funny Boy

Shyam Selvadurai's 1994 Novel

Selvadurai Resources

December 14: Under the Net

Iris Murdoch's 1954 Novel

Murdoch Resources

Site search