The Dedalus Book of Sexual Ambiguity: Sexuality and Masquerade
Registered by GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 9/6/2014
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
5 journalers for this copy...
I found this slightly-battered softcover on the bargain rack at Barnes and Noble, and as I find sexual ambiguity and androgyny fascinating, I decided to give it a try. It's a collection of excerpts from various authors, with an extensive introduction that discusses the selections on the broad spectrum of gender identity, expression, and preference. Among my favorite items:
"The Russian Princess," a chapter from Woolf's Orlando, about a young man who leads a luxurious life in the court of Elizabeth I, and from there to other fascinating places - and times, as it seems he's either immortal or very slow to age. To complicate matters, at one point he spontaneously changes from male to female - though in the excerpt here, he's still very much male, and very interested in the princess...
From Gilbert Adair's The Holy Innocents, "The Cinephile" introduces Matthew to twins Catherine and Theo, about whom he wonders if they're his loved ones. (This is a very short excerpt, but it made me want to read the novel - goal achieved!)
"Robinson" is from Michel Tournier's Friday or the Other Island, a re-imagining of the Robinson Crusoe story, with Crusoe becoming very much drawn to Friday.
And the excerpt from The Picture of Dorian Grey - the opening chapter - simply exudes homoeroticism, mingled with artistic sensibility and witty backchat.
Overall, the book's something of a sampler - frustrating if you want more of a particular flavor, but a good way to try many different authors before deciding which to pursue further.
"The Russian Princess," a chapter from Woolf's Orlando, about a young man who leads a luxurious life in the court of Elizabeth I, and from there to other fascinating places - and times, as it seems he's either immortal or very slow to age. To complicate matters, at one point he spontaneously changes from male to female - though in the excerpt here, he's still very much male, and very interested in the princess...
From Gilbert Adair's The Holy Innocents, "The Cinephile" introduces Matthew to twins Catherine and Theo, about whom he wonders if they're his loved ones. (This is a very short excerpt, but it made me want to read the novel - goal achieved!)
"Robinson" is from Michel Tournier's Friday or the Other Island, a re-imagining of the Robinson Crusoe story, with Crusoe becoming very much drawn to Friday.
And the excerpt from The Picture of Dorian Grey - the opening chapter - simply exudes homoeroticism, mingled with artistic sensibility and witty backchat.
Overall, the book's something of a sampler - frustrating if you want more of a particular flavor, but a good way to try many different authors before deciding which to pursue further.
I'm adding this to the LGBTQ+ bookbox, which will be on its way on Monday.
Some nice selections here. Will release.
Journal Entry 4 by haahaahaa98 at Themed Release Bookbox in -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Saturday, November 8, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (11/8/2014 UTC) at Themed Release Bookbox in -- Bookbox, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Passing along in LGBTQ+ bookbox. Enjoy!
This arrived in the LGBTQ+ bookbox. This sounds very interesting. Although the cover copy dates it, using terminology that would be considered borderline offensive today, it sounds like the stories within do better.
I've had this book for a long time, slowly picking my way through in spurts were I would read several stories, than abandon it for months. I've finally completed it!
Like GoryDetails, I often found the very short excerpts a bit frustrating. It was common for as little as 2-3 pages to be all we got of a novel-length work, which I think is a disservice to both the work and the reader. It simply wasn't enough to convey much of what I think the author intended.
My favorites were:
"Theodore" from Mademoiselle de Maupin by Theophile Gautier, which featured a woman who has disguised herself as a man, and her inadvertent romance as a friend's sister falls for her.
"Helene L" from The Lover by Marguerite Duras carries incredible longing and sorrow, blending together into a single, confusing emotion.
The excerpt from The Picture of Dorian Grey is perhaps better known than many of these, but still an enjoyable read.
Like GoryDetails, I often found the very short excerpts a bit frustrating. It was common for as little as 2-3 pages to be all we got of a novel-length work, which I think is a disservice to both the work and the reader. It simply wasn't enough to convey much of what I think the author intended.
My favorites were:
"Theodore" from Mademoiselle de Maupin by Theophile Gautier, which featured a woman who has disguised herself as a man, and her inadvertent romance as a friend's sister falls for her.
"Helene L" from The Lover by Marguerite Duras carries incredible longing and sorrow, blending together into a single, confusing emotion.
The excerpt from The Picture of Dorian Grey is perhaps better known than many of these, but still an enjoyable read.
One of the books starting out in The Anthology Assortment Bookbox
Chosen from the Anthology Assortment Bookbox.
I quite enjoyed these brief excerpts, some more so than others and some that did not quite hit the mark for me. I agree with emmejo that the language by the editor was dated and felt inappropriate for this day and age. No idea about when it was put together in the mid-90s.
It felt, at least to me, like the editor was trying to put the stories together as an intellectual look into sexuality. To be honest, I skipped the introduction, so I would have liked to have read intros to each stories as a professor might write for a collection like this one. Hope that all makes sense.
Anyway, here are the stories I liked or had some thoughts about:
Lélia by George Sand
What I liked about this one is the passion Sand was able to convey in his writing. It immediately struck a cord with me. And I loved that he had Lélia respond to the narrator and say How dare you make me into something that I am not! See me for who I am and not what you invent in your imagination. Who can live up to that or want to be condemned for it?
So don’t seek the secret of my destiny in Heaven or Hell. I could reproach you for always placing me above or below myself. Poet, don’t seek these deep mysteries in my person. My soul is a sister to yours. You only sadden and frighten me in probing me like this. Take me for what I am, a soul that suffers and waits. If you question me so harshly, my soul will fold in on itself and will no longer dare open up to you.
I have Orlando by Virginia Woolf on my wishlist and this excerpt solidified my desire to read it!
I’ve added Mademoiselle de Maupin by Théophile Gautier to my wishlist! Such an interesting story and I can’t wait to read more about Théodore’s life and adventures!
Surprisingly, I have not read The Picture of Dorian Gray. I did want to see it when the Synetic Theater put it on, but alas I was unable to do so. Off topic, but if you are ever in the Washington, D.C. area (they are in Arlington, VA in Crystal City) and have an evening free, see if the Synetic theater has a play going on and GO! They are so good! Their Shakespeare’s are silent but oh so good! The best one is when they do The Tempest! It’s not only silent but they flood the stage with water. You have to wear a poncho if you are in the front rows! It’s pretty amazing! It’s so popular that they put it back on from time-to-time. I highly recommend it!
It felt, at least to me, like the editor was trying to put the stories together as an intellectual look into sexuality. To be honest, I skipped the introduction, so I would have liked to have read intros to each stories as a professor might write for a collection like this one. Hope that all makes sense.
Anyway, here are the stories I liked or had some thoughts about:
Lélia by George Sand
What I liked about this one is the passion Sand was able to convey in his writing. It immediately struck a cord with me. And I loved that he had Lélia respond to the narrator and say How dare you make me into something that I am not! See me for who I am and not what you invent in your imagination. Who can live up to that or want to be condemned for it?
So don’t seek the secret of my destiny in Heaven or Hell. I could reproach you for always placing me above or below myself. Poet, don’t seek these deep mysteries in my person. My soul is a sister to yours. You only sadden and frighten me in probing me like this. Take me for what I am, a soul that suffers and waits. If you question me so harshly, my soul will fold in on itself and will no longer dare open up to you.
I have Orlando by Virginia Woolf on my wishlist and this excerpt solidified my desire to read it!
I’ve added Mademoiselle de Maupin by Théophile Gautier to my wishlist! Such an interesting story and I can’t wait to read more about Théodore’s life and adventures!
Surprisingly, I have not read The Picture of Dorian Gray. I did want to see it when the Synetic Theater put it on, but alas I was unable to do so. Off topic, but if you are ever in the Washington, D.C. area (they are in Arlington, VA in Crystal City) and have an evening free, see if the Synetic theater has a play going on and GO! They are so good! Their Shakespeare’s are silent but oh so good! The best one is when they do The Tempest! It’s not only silent but they flood the stage with water. You have to wear a poncho if you are in the front rows! It’s pretty amazing! It’s so popular that they put it back on from time-to-time. I highly recommend it!
Journal Entry 10 by Spatial at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Friday, October 28, 2022
Released 1 yr ago (10/29/2022 UTC) at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Going to the winner of my Box of Books giveaway!
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
Thank you so much for the box of books Spatial!
Journal Entry 12 by bamaforever at 2nd & Charles in Hoover, Alabama USA on Monday, November 14, 2022
I'm a very special book. I'm traveling the world in search of new friends. I hope I have found one in you. If you are my new owner please make a brief journal entry with my BCID number. You can read and release me for a new friend to read or keep me. It's your choice!
If you are new to bookcrossing and want to join please consider listing bamaforever as your referral. Welcome to bookcrossing!
Happy reading!
If you are new to bookcrossing and want to join please consider listing bamaforever as your referral. Welcome to bookcrossing!
Happy reading!