Dancer from the Dance
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‘Astonishingly beautiful… The best gay novel written by anyone of our generation’ Harpers
‘A life changing read for me. Describes a New York that has completely disappeared and for which I longed – stuck in closed-on-Sunday’s London’ Rupert Everett
Young, divinely beautiful and tired of living a lie, Anthony Malone trades life as a seemingly straight, small town lawyer for the disco-lit decadence of New York’s 1970’s gay scene. Joining an unbridled world of dance parties, saunas, deserted parks and orgies – at its centre Malone befriends the flamboyant queen, Sutherland, who takes this new arrival under his preened wing.
But for Malone, the endless city nights and Fire Island days, are close to burning out. It is love that Malone is longing for, and soon he will have to set himself free.
First published in 1978, Dancer from the Dance is widely considered the greatest, most exciting novel of the post-Stonewall generation. Told with wit, eroticism and unashamed lyricism, it remains a heart-breaking love letter to New York’s hedonistic past, and a testament to the brilliance of our passions as they burn brightest.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ALAN HOLLINGHURST
The perfect read for fans of It’s A Sin
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Additional information
| Publisher | Vintage (6 Jun. 2019) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 288 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1529110769 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1529110760 |
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 1.7 x 19.8 cm |
by Matt60
Although set in New York in the time just before AIDS, it is a readable and thoroughly worthwhile book that raises many interesting issues arising out of the characters’ hedonistic lifestyle. For me as a homosexual, the central character of Malone is someone I can relate to and understand who reacts against the expectations of those around him rather than remain in the closet for many years and thereby lives his life as “I am glad I did” rather than “I wish I had”. The price to pay for this indulgence is the thrust of the story as well as generally exploring the scene. Enjoy.
by Mr. Dominic E. Chapman
what can I say that hasn’t been written about this? it can be hard work, particularly understanding the first pages of letters, but keep going and suddenly it all makes sense. a wonderful time capsule of a book, now, reading this. its in that collection of must reads for anyone gay, or looking at NYC for the period or wanting to read a narrative about a snapshot of a group of people in a key time.
by Pensioner Power.
Thoroughly enjoyable and beautifully written read. The pages flew by. Great characters made you wish to be part of it.
by Peter
I first read this novel way way back when I was a teenager, and it affected me deeply then. I came across the book on Amazon by accident and just had to buy it. I wasn’t disappointed when I reread the novel. The characters are so well written, New York especially is a joy to read about, the whole lifestyle of gay men [mostly] in that period of time is fascinating. Funny, and at times incredibly sad, this is a book that has stood the test of time, and I am so glad that I found it again. It is going on my next holiday with me for another read [when ever this rotten pandemic allows a holiday lol] Recommended to any reader with an interest in gay fiction, it is a great example of [at this stage] vintage writing.
by M.I.
A highly courageous work of its day, dealing with gay life and affairs in a still deeply hostile and ignorant society at the time. To UK (and other foreign) readers, its setting is difficult to imagine, since this is in New York and close by, although the author himself is UK born. To a point, its theme is familiar in other ways, the need to remain secret in society and the gradual death of a number of characters, (AIDS). At least this realistic for its time, not the thematic death of anyone gay (see Death in Venice for a particularly absurd version of this) If this gay material is to your taste, follow Holleran’s writing, later work in particular.
by schumann_bg
This novel has long been my favourite on the gay experience, recalling a time when gay life was at its zenith: very sexual, underground, very linked to a certain kind of music and nocturnal life in certain cities. It was before Aids which gave the characters in this book maximum freedom, even if fulfilment remains, to some extent, elusive. But that is all part of its strange hold; it is really a hymn to longing, extended over 250 pages. The writing itself mirrors this, creating an effect rather like a mirage. You do not feel so much close to the characters as becoming one with their element. The beautiful sentences, the almost relentless elegance of the writing, create something that suddenly takes you over, seduces you completely, a bit like one of those perfect nights at the disco you never wanted to end, where each song would take you higher. The disco evoked here with such magic is called The 12th Floor and Holleran gets superbly the sense of desire and hope that percolates through the spangly lights and the darker recesses. To actually see anyone’s face too closely would be like the harsh light of day on some precious and fragile artifact – Botticelli’s illustrations of Dante, perhaps. The image may be faint, but under the right light the magic may be fully apprehended by those who really want to see it … It reminds me a bit of the Buddhist saying: Happiness IS the way …
by Ralph
This hurts in places. A really good read and the story is very good. There are some aspects of this book that get a little close to the bone and cut into the soul. If you are gay and lived in this time you may see your own face in the mirror and know exactly what the author is writing about and that can sometime hurt. However if you can put up this some stark truths then you will enjoy the bulk of this book.
by Jane Cooper
I read this book after reading an article where Rupert Everett named this as one of his favourite books. I’m an avid reader but other than the Well of Loneliness have never read any other gay literature. This book catapulted me into 1970s New York gay society, and what an amazing ride this book was, the protagonist Malone is initially a complicated vulnerable character who gradually gets sucked into the gay scene and eventually embraces it with abandon. After reading this book, I can honestly say that for the first time in my life I wanted to be 1) male and 2) gay and 3) living in New York – this coming from a 47 year old heterosexual woman. If you want a book that is beautiful and shocking and hedonistic and vivid with life and colour then read this, you really will not be disappointed.