Reviews

AHHHHHHH I couldn't finish this book but I read so much of it I deserve credit for my suffering. I read this book for class and it is h*lla long and the main character is dull if I can even argue he exists. He is absolutely obsessed with aging and so internally homophobic and brings both up often. The book is repetitive to show the repetitive nature of his thoughts, and that is straight up irritating. Can I also say, I mean I wasn't paying too much attention to the book, but the lack of women??? It's a hard point to talk about because there is the inclusion of trans women and he offhandedly speaks about lesbians but mainly butches being in the room but never talks to one (as far as I know).
So, the book was sophisticated but torture to read, will never be picking it up again.

tanemariacris's review against another edition

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John Rechy has one of the most beautiful and unique writing styles that I've ever encountered and that acutely supports the story, absorbing the reader into the protagonist's world rendered through a blend of epic journey and quiet introspection. To quote the author himself, the feelings I have for this book can be summarized as :) .

Reading City of Night while listening to Lou Reed and David Bowie is a whole experience and one that I've found extremely rewarding and revealing in many ways. Not only a snapshot of the 60s underground-scene, but also a timeless look at a consciousness in conflict with itself, this is definitely a backbone of 20st century American literature.

200suns's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

hounded's review against another edition

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4.75

Wow This book is amazing! The characters really stay with me even after I've finished the book. Th e authors note at the end saying how when he thinks about the people in his life that inspired the characters and how he doesn't know where they are now but it makes him sad but whenever he thinks about someone reading the book that the characters come to life and begin their cycles anew. That really hit home and made me really love all the characters and all their little details even more....
Plus the plot of wanting love and mourning innocence and youth and the journey of finding oneself and realizing parts of yourself is so so so so good.
The final chapters tie it all together so beautifully and it was so so engaging and wonderful and great.
This book is going on my list of must read LGBT lit for people. Please PLease read it and think about it for a long long time.

sturgeonfish's review against another edition

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4.5

fantastic.... absolutely engrossing and unique writing style and all of the characters are so so vivid. the narrator feels gradually more like a 'person' and character himself throughout the story, in perfect timing and pace with the story. the afterward where john rechy said everyone was based off a real person he met and each new reader to the book brought them back to life brought me to tears.

i love how some things are left answered and some unanswered in his final musings... we never know what really happened to ms destiny but the malenurse was indeed in love with the professor. and the way the writing style changed to finally describe the sex he was having and how it excited him when he finally accepted he was gay. the duality of his drunk and sober self when his reality split in two... augh! so many beautifully written callbacks to earlier scenes, like chi-chi being dead on for that female elephant with all of her enviable 'male' physique and strength while choosing femininity ... wow. stunning stunning layers of meaning to unpack in this book for sure

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