Read this one very quickly...I will always choose a queer book over a non-queer one, but this just felt a bit "of it's time" and I cringed at some of the societal assimilations the author puts the main character through. Not in the sense of how trying and difficult queer life has been in decades past, but a lot of outdated views on psychiatric needs and mental health behavior in general.

I'm conflicted about this book. On one hand, it is supposed to be a classic of gay literature written by a prominent gay writer so I should appreciate it for all those reasons, but on the other hand, I really did not like the story. Simply put, the writing style was incredibly pretentious with the author peppering the story with multiple literary and historic allusions that simply came across as annoying instead of strengthening the narrative. Beyond the writing style, I was also bothered by the depictions of gay characters. There was not a single positive portrayal in this "gay literary classic." We are met with men who try to molest boys, boys having sexual fantasies about their fathers, and even boys taking advantage of younger boys. From beginning to end, I was hoping for some positive message but I never found it. As a gay man, I am bothered this is one of our "classics." I would much rather people read stories that show the complexity of gay life but has some positive gay character in it. Maybe the trilogy eventually introduces us to a positive character, but I do not see myself continuing this series.

2.5 stars: because I continued reading this book for the sake of finishing it, and scarcely found myself enjoying it at all. I can already tell its over-written and self-important tone has infected me just by writing this short review.

I'd better grab another book before it sticks.

Other reviews were right. This might have made waves when it was written, but it didn't age well enough to please the modern reader. However, I do think figuring out why is a good lesson for those burgeoning writers out there.

This has a really strong start but I didn’t enjoy it as much as it went along. I really wish it had been in order— the parts being all scrambled up really threw me and made the journey through the acceptance of his sexuality very confusing. I’m torn on whether to continue the trilogy— the writing is gorgeous but the characters are mostly unpleasant and I don’t know that it’s doing anything different from other similar books I’ve read.

"A Boy's Own Story" is the first in Edmund White's autobiographical trilogy about growing up gay in 1950's America. He struggles with his homosexuality and with a deep longing to belong that seemingly is never fulfilled.

White is a terrific writer in terms of use of language... his descriptions are beautiful without being overwrought. His pacing and plot is more difficult to like... the story is very fragmented and jumps around to different time periods in his youth.

Overall, I found the book to be an interesting coming of age story.

I read this 3o years ago while on holiday in Turkey, I thought it was brilliant. Unfortunately now I am a miserable cynical git I found it really hard work. Basically Edmund falls in love with everyone he meets and fantasies about being whisked away by them to a better place. It's not bad, it's just ok.

“My hair went bleach-blond, my wrist went limp, my rep tie became a lace jabot: I was the simpering queen at the grand piano playing concert versions of last year’s pop tunes for his mother and her bridge club. There was no way to defend what I was.”

I thought this book was a beautiful and extremely real depiction of how it feels to grow up as a gay outcast. I especially liked how poetic the main character’s inner turmoil and personal struggles were articulated to be.