Biographical Novel - A Boy's Own shops Story - Edmund White - 1982 Edition - Dutton - Signed.

A Boy's Own Story - is the first of Edmund White's trilogy of autobiographical novels, A Boy's Own Story became an instant classic for its shops pioneering portrayal of homosexuality. The book's unnamed narrator, growing up during the 1950s, is beset by aloof parents, a cruel sister, and relentless mocking from his peers, compelling him to seek out works of art and literature as solace-and to uncover new relationships in the struggle to embrace his own sexuality. Lyrical and poignant, with powerful evocations of shame and yearning, considered by many to be an American literary treasure.

It is signed "For Jack Spratt Edmund White" - the hauntingly beautiful cover photo is by Dan Weaks. The dust jacket is protected by an archival quality cover. Although it was published in 1982 it doesn't explicitly state "first edition" and the number line begins with 2.

The book is in very good condition, with no ripped torn, or dog-eared pages. However, a previous owner (Jack Spratt?) did write on some of the pages, see photos.

Edmund Valentine White III (born January 13, 1940) is a novelist, memoirist, and essayist on literary and social topics. Much of his writing is on the theme of same-sex love. His books include The Joy of Gay Sex (1977), written with his psychotherapist Charles Silverstein made him known to a wider readership. He also authored the semi-autobiographic novels; The Beautiful Room Is Empty (1988), and The Farewell Symphony (1997), as well as a biography of Jean Genet.

Much of his work draws on his gay experience. His debut novel, Forgetting Elena (1973), set on an island, can be read as commenting on gay culture in a coded manner. The American/Russian novelist Vladimir Nabokov called it "a marvelous book". Nocturnes for the King of Naples (1978) was explicitly gay-themed and drew on his own life.

From 1980 to 1981, White was a member of a gay writers' group, The Violet Quill, that met briefly during that period and included Andrew Holleran and Felice Picano. White's autobiographic works are frank and unapologetic about his promiscuity and his HIV-positive status.