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eriknoteric's review against another edition
2.0
Fenton Johnson's collection of essays "Everywhere Home" - a collection that spans several decades and includes a wide variety of topics - starts out with a real bang. Undeniably, Johnson is one of the most astute writers of the late-twentieth century, and his writings on sexuality, AIDS, and the South are so well-thought. And so after reading the first few essays I was certain this book would land in my favorites pile.
But unfortunately on topics of spirituality and queer politics, his writing was certainly worse for wear, lacking the depth, self-reflection, and critical analysis that his other essays included at their heart. Whenever Johnson discusses spirituality, his inability to fully critique Christianity, mixed with his reduction of religion to some sort of fuddy-duddy love potion with a Buddhist twist, left me, and I believe other readers, wondering if he had ever truly thought seriously about religion beyond what makes him feel "good."
Beyond this, what was most astounding to me was Johnson's absolute inability to see why LGBT people do not and ought not need to participate in some form of forgiveness towards Christians. In one essay he even goes so far as to claim that the Christian church is a better center for queer community than gay institutions, nightlife, or bars. This, then, made his essay on drag and fiction seem cheap - does Fenton Johnson even have a grasp on what makes queer nightlife and queer community so beautiful?
Admittedly, a sharp writer with some nice essays, I recommend reading Parts I and II and leaving the rest to rest.
But unfortunately on topics of spirituality and queer politics, his writing was certainly worse for wear, lacking the depth, self-reflection, and critical analysis that his other essays included at their heart. Whenever Johnson discusses spirituality, his inability to fully critique Christianity, mixed with his reduction of religion to some sort of fuddy-duddy love potion with a Buddhist twist, left me, and I believe other readers, wondering if he had ever truly thought seriously about religion beyond what makes him feel "good."
Beyond this, what was most astounding to me was Johnson's absolute inability to see why LGBT people do not and ought not need to participate in some form of forgiveness towards Christians. In one essay he even goes so far as to claim that the Christian church is a better center for queer community than gay institutions, nightlife, or bars. This, then, made his essay on drag and fiction seem cheap - does Fenton Johnson even have a grasp on what makes queer nightlife and queer community so beautiful?
Admittedly, a sharp writer with some nice essays, I recommend reading Parts I and II and leaving the rest to rest.
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