Dancer from the Dance: A Novel
by Andrew Holleran
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Book Summary Information
Author: Andrew HolleranEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2001-12-18
ISBN: 0060937068
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Book Reviews of Dancer from the Dance: A Novel
Book Review: A literary milestone...
Summary: 5 Stars
After 31 years, I just reread this glimpse into a bygone era. It should be required reading for all gay studies classes and perhaps is. I cannot restate what has already been said. Instead I will tell you about when I first encountered it. I was 15 in 1979 and purchased a copy at of all places, a local K-Mart! I was immediately drawn to the sexy man on the cover. I had read Gordon Merrick previously, also purchased locally. The commercial market was very different at that time. "Gay" was coming out. Merrick was pure trash. I expected something similar. What a surprise as I took it home and began reading. Instead I was given a glimpse "Over the Rainbow".
At my vulnerable age, my "gay" feelings were stirring and this was to became a roadmap of what to expect. Oh the drama of it! Oh the LOL moments with Sutherland camping it up! Such glamour, style, debauchery and ultimately tragedy. I was in love with Malone too! I wanted to grow old enough to move to NYC and take a bite of this poison apple. I was determined to change the rules! I wanted to wear a black Norell dress, turban, veil and cigarette holder. I would get a bottle of Joy, shop at Bendel, drink Pernod, use Guerlain, indulge at the Everard Baths and most of all, go dancing at the 12th Floor! I had never heard of Patty Joe or any of the other underground dancefloor hits. Sex, drugs and disco beconed. I was already packing my case plotting my move!
I treasured my little paperback dearly and kept it under my pillow. Most of all I wanted to share the madcap humor with someone else. None of my other friend would ever understand the over the top subject matter. Should I write a book report about it? Not in conservative Ohio! Indeed, my coming of age would be a bumpy ride. I turned 18 in 1982 and heard a disturbing report of a terrible illness devastating the gay communities in the metropolis. New York, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago had set up triage units for all of its dying. My dream had suddenly turned into a nightmare! All of those voices were silenced. DFTD had become a gay Gone with the Wind! Oh Superman, where were you!?!
The years would pass and I would catch a glimpse of Malone and Sutherland out of the corner of my eye. The band played on. I would never get to experience the scenes described in DFTD(lucky for me, huh?). Only occasional nods to it. Oh, if history had been different(sigh).I wonder if Hollywood has plans for a movie? Nah! That would ruin everything. I swear I saw Malone in the East Village last week! The legend lives on...
Summary of Dancer from the Dance: A Novel
One of the most important works of gay literature, this haunting, brilliant novel is a seriocomic remembrance of things past -- and still poignantly present. It depicts the adventures of Malone, a beautiful young man searching for love amid New York's emerging gay scene. From Manhattan's Everard Baths and after-hours discos to Fire Island's deserted parks and lavish orgies, Malone looks high and low for meaningful companionship. The person he finds is Sutherland, a campy quintessential queen -- and one of the most memorable literary creations of contemporary fiction. Hilarious, witty, and ultimately heartbreaking, Dancer from the Dance is truthful, provocative, outrageous fiction told in a voice as close to laughter as to tears.
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