pickThis 1940‘s coming of age story is considered a landmark in gay literature. It‘s well written, sparse, sophisticated and solemn. Vidal edited and updated this book in the 1960‘s, even changing the ending (the version I read) which is widely thought to be an improvement. I was interested to learn that the fascinating character ‘Maria‘ was based on his long time friend, Anais Nin.
pickWhile I have some reservations about the author, the cultural attitude towards minorities in the 1940s (the decade in which this book was written), and what happens in the book, the story itself was interesting and heartbreaking. It moved along beautifully and captivated my attention. I‘ve had a hard time focusing in reading lately, but I sat down with this book for substantial chunks of time. #pridemonth 🏳️🌈
Sunday morning, still in bed.. my favourite time to read! ???
(I'm reading the italian edition, "La statua di sale")
pickJim‘s obsession with his childhood friend takes him on a journey through the 1940s gay scene. Growing and changing as a person learning more about him self. Meeting different people who express themselves in their own way, trying to cope with loneliness. 8/10
(...) Now they were complete, each became the other, as their bodies collided with a primal violence, like to like, metal to magnet, half to half and the whole restored.
So they met. Eyes tight shut against an irrelevant world. (...)
The City and the Pillar | 
