The City and the Pillar in Queereaders

Aug 04, 2009 Dan rated it liked it

Vidal's tragic gay love story was no doubt brave and groundbreaking for it's time, but imitators have diminished the story and contemporary readers will likely find the themes cliche. Like so many of his literary contemporaries, the character of Jim struggles to reconcile his physical desires with his yearning to live a "normal" heterosexual life, but Vidal doesn't belabor the point. Instead, he ensconces Jim within the pre-liberation bar scene without defining him by it. Vidal made a concerted ...more

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Jun 25, 2008 Scott rated it really liked it

Shelves: homo-lit

I really don't know how I missed this book. It's great to have an example of homosexual literature. I thought Gore Vidal was really just the guy who wrote kind of dry political works. I was wrong.

I find Jim to be a very interesting character and someone who still holds true for today. While there has been a lot of progress made in the past 60 years, it's hard not to relate to the book many times. ...more

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Mar 23, 2009 Zweegas rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book does capture a certain human experience which I definitely relate to -- longing for someone who turns out to let you down and all your other experiences paling in comparison to the idealized experience which, as it turns out, really only exists in your mind. The book also captures a certain gay experience which I relate to -- coming into the gay world as a young adult and mingling with the older, richer, more powerful gays, while secretly wishing for someone more on your own level.

Rela ...more

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May 21, 2007 Borden rated it really liked it

This book sort of poked along and then it ended in a BANG! The violence and malevolence of the climax made it an amazing experience. Think "Chuck and Buck" except with rape. ...more

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May 26, 2009 Chris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: gay-fiction

A great book, especially when you place it in context. It was published in the late 1940s. It must have been quite a surprise because of the subject matter. I think many people must have been offended because of the numerous depictions of gay life in the military. I think one of the things that impresses me is that it has a truly epic quality but it's only 207 pages. It's well-written and so easy-to-read. I think I read the thing in three sittings. I would genuinely recommend this book. ...more

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