Fire Island
A Century in the Life of an American Paradise
1 of 2 copies available
Fire Island, a thin strip of beach off the Long Island coast, has long been a vital space in the queer history of America. Both utopian and exclusionary, healing and destructive, the island is a locus of contradictions, all of which coalesce against a stunning ocean backdrop.
Now, poet and scholar Jack Parlett tells the story of this iconic destination—its history, its meaning and its cultural significance—told through the lens of the artists and creators who sought refuge on its shores. Together, figures as divergent as Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, Carson McCullers, Frank O'Hara, Patricia Highsmith and Jeremy O. Harris tell the story of a queer space in constant evolution.
Transporting, impeccably researched and gorgeously written, Fire Island is the definitive book on an iconic American destination and an essential contribution to queer history.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
June 14, 2022 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781488214271
- File size: 196297 KB
- Duration: 06:48:57
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Narrator Joe Jameson smoothly blends the British author's polished documentary-style remove, accessible literary scholarship, and candid memoir to create especially engaging narrative nonfiction. The rich cultural history and unique identities of Fire Island's gay communities, Cherry Grove and the Pines, unfold through Jameson's clear, well-paced delivery. Famous literary visitors, including Patricia Highsmith, W.H. Auden, James Baldwin, and AIDS activists Vito Russo and Larry Kramer, illuminate the intersections of their daily lives with the arts and social justice movements, on and off the island. These vibrant communities have served as a refuge and vacation destination for generations of predominantly white, cisgender gay men, and a now growing number of travelers from across the LGBTQIA+ community. This production is a listening treat for queer history enthusiasts. J.R.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
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