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Young Man from the Provinces

A Gay Life Before Stonewall
By Alan Helms
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3.64 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Young Man from the Provinces by Alan Helms is a compelling memoir that chronicles the author's journey from a small-town upbringing to the vibrant world of 1960s New York City. Helms offers a candid portrayal of his life as he navigates the complexities of identity, fame, and self-discovery within a dynamic cultural landscape. Through honest reflection, he explores personal growth and the challenges faced along the way.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by dynamic personal journeys and the exploration of identity in a transforming world. This memoir captures the vibrant social scene and the emotional complexities of a young man's rise from small-town life to the dazzling and demanding world of New York City in the 1950s and 1960s.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Young, intelligent, and handsome, Alan Helms left a brutal midwestern childhood for New York City in 1955. In this unusually vivid and sensitive account, Helms describes the business of being a sex object and its psychological and physical toll.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An insider's account of gay high society in pre-Stonewall New York City—now back in print!

Young Man from the Provinces offers a compelling narrative as Alan Helms recounts his journey from a brutal midwestern childhood to the vibrant life of New York City in 1955. Young, intelligent, and handsome, Helms was denied a Rhodes scholarship due to his sexual orientation. Nonetheless, he soon became an object of desire within the gay underground scene, an exclusive social realm frequented by iconic figures such as Noel Coward, Leonard Bernstein, and Marlene Dietrich.

In this unusually vivid and sensitive account, Helms explores the business of being a sex object and delves into the psychological and physical toll it exacted. His story offers a rare glimpse into the realities of living as a gay man during that era, providing valuable insights for readers and historians alike.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Young Man from the Provinces is acclaimed for its elegant prose and poignant reflection. It's praised as both an engaging and humorous memoir while capturing a vanished era of gay culture. The narrative is appreciated for its depth, offering universal insights into the struggles for identity and acceptance.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780816642687

Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 22 April 2003

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Minnesota Press

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 224

Collections

Alan Helms Biography & Memoir Non-Fiction

About the Author

Alan Helms is professor of literature at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

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