City Boy: My Life in New York During the 1960s and 70s

City Boy chronicles Edmund White's experiences as a gay writer in New York City during two transformative decades. White recounts his arrival in Manhattan as an unknown Midwesterner and his gradual immersion in the city's literary and artistic circles. The memoir captures the cultural landscape of 1960s and '70s New York through White's encounters with notable figures in art, literature, and theater. His narrative spans the pre-Stonewall era through the rise of gay liberation, documenting changes in both the city and its LGBTQ+ community. White details his development as a writer against the backdrop of a city in flux, including his work at Time-Life, his early novels, and his participation in the Violet Quill literary group. The book presents a candid account of romantic relationships, friendships, and professional connections that shaped his career. The memoir stands as both a personal history and a cultural document, examining the intersection of sexuality, creativity, and urban life during a period of rapid social change. White's observations reveal how individual identity evolves alongside broader societal movements.

Readers appreciate White's intimate portrayal of New York's cultural scene and his encounters with notable artists and writers of the era. Many cite his candid observations of figures like Susan Sontag and Robert Mapplethorpe as highlights. Readers connect with his depictions of gay life before and after Stonewall, though some note the memoir can feel name-dropping and gossipy at times. Multiple reviews mention the book works best when focused on the city itself rather than White's personal relationships. Common criticisms include meandering narrative structure and uneven pacing. Some readers found certain sections self-indulgent or overly focused on sexual encounters. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (90+ ratings) From reviews: "Captures a vanished New York with remarkable clarity" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much name-dropping, not enough depth" - Amazon reviewer "Beautiful writing but loses focus in later chapters" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌟 Edmund White tested positive for HIV in 1985 and was given only a year to live - he went on to become one of the longest-surviving HIV-positive writers, continuing to publish prolifically for decades 🌟 The book describes White's close friendship with legendary writer Susan Sontag, who would often call him in the middle of the night to discuss literature and philosophy 🌟 During the period covered in City Boy, White was working as an editor at Saturday Review while secretly writing gay-themed fiction under pseudonyms 🌟 The memoir captures the vibrant New York arts scene before gentrification, when struggling writers and artists could still afford to live in Manhattan on modest salaries 🌟 White lived just a few blocks from the Stonewall Inn during the historic 1969 riots, though he initially slept through the commotion and had to hear about it from friends the next day