Beautifully written in reverse chronological order, the story opens with arnold. Dark reflections may not be a great introduction to the more popular but equally difficult scifi writings of samuel delany, but it is an interesting novel that can be discussed, especially in light of delanys life and constantly evolving work. The story opens with hawleys lonely old age, traveling backward in time to his arrival in new york city of the 1950s. Portrait of the artist as a fat old man dark reflections.
Delany is an american author of science fiction and fantasy, erotic lit, and nonfiction books. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. Click to read more about dark reflections by samuel r. Publishers weekly dark reflections is among the most. Arnold hawley, a gay, africanamerican poet, has lived in nyc for most of his life. Dark reflections may not be a great introduction to the more popular but equally difficult scifi writings of samuel delany, but it is an interesting novel that can be discussed, especially in light of delany s life and constantly evolving work. Dark reflections layered into a complex, refracted narrative. Delany, and every now and then i have to read one of his books, often one ive read before this is either my third or fourth time with dark reflections.
I hope it isnt delegated to the second tier of delany s writings, because its a first rate work. The erotic fascination with bitten fingernails that is in practically all his fiction from the earliest sf novels right up to dark reflections is there. Alberts poetry ultimately meets with modest acclaim but only after decades of. The books below are excellent introductions to the genius and range of samuel r. In 2008 it received a stonewall book award and was nominated for a lambda literary award for gay mens fiction. Delanys evocative novel is hardly so exalted, more prone to glancing at his toilet. Delany, american sciencefiction novelist and critic whose highly imaginative works address sexual, racial, and social issues, heroic quests, and the nature of language. Samuel grew up in harlem, the son of a new york public library clerk and the owner of a funeral home. He had an early career as a brilliant young science fiction writer, moved on to memoirs and other kinds of fiction. Hawley, at 50 years old, wins the an award for his sixth book of poems.
Delanys latest novel dark reflections is a beautiful, heartbreaking book written by one of. The second part entitled vashti in the dark is about the bizarre, shortlived. Samuel r delany this stonewall book awardwinning novel traces the life and unrealized dreams of a gay african american poet. The title of the captivating latest by the hugowinning author of dhalgren is also the title of a book of poems written by the novels poet protagonist, arno. That same year delany was the subject of a documentary film, the polymath, or, the life and opinions of samuel r. Information about the book, dark reflections fiction, paperback, by samuel r. Delany has written over 35 books and has had a profound impact on multiple genres. The book of pictures depicts 23yearold hawley grappling with his sexuality while a student at boston university. This stonewall book awardwinning novel traces the life and unrealized dreams of arnold hawley, a gay african american poet. In 2008 it received a stonewall book award and was nominated for a.
A devastating and beautifully written study of the loneliness and despair that so often accompany the life of the mind in america. Delany is not only one of the most profound and courageous writers at work today, he is a writer of seemingly limitless range. Dark reflections dover edition the bookshop darlinghurst. Author of babel17, nova, dhalgren, the einstein intersection, the fall of the towers, the jewelhinged jaw, triton, the jewels of aptor. Divided in three parts, the first part titled the prize shows the very unsavoury side of publishing and the disappointments and struggles of being a writer and artist, arnold is in his 50s and later 70s in nearpovertypoverty. Buy dark reflections book online at low prices in india. An exlibrary book and may have standard library stamps andor stickers. The title of the captivating latest by the hugowinning author of dhalgren is also the title of a book of poems written by the novels poet protagonist, arnold hawley. Paperback published december 2019 232 pages a devastating and beautifully written study of the loneliness and despair that so often accompany the life of the mind in america. This book is centered on arnold hawley, an aging black gay poet living alone in new york. Buy dark reflections book online at best prices in india on. Vashti in the dark part iii the book of pictures historical note historical note to the dover edition.
Delany, including dhalgren, and stars in my pocket like grains of sand, and more on. Michael cunningham, author of the hours this stonewall book awardwinning novel traces the life and unrealized dreams of. In 2007, his novel dark reflections was a winner of the stonewall book award. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Arnold hawley, a gay, africanamerican poet, has lived in nyc for. A meditation on isolation and sexual repression, it also explores the frustrations. Ten tales by roger zelazny, selected and introduced by samuel r.
His memoir the motion of light in water is among the finest documents of a black gay artists coming of age in new york in the 1960s. Michael cunningham, author of the hours this stonewall book awardwinning novel traces the life and unrealized dreams of arnold hawley, a homosexual africanamerican poet. Delany s dark reflections and the racial politics of literary awards by lavelle porter august 25, 2017 on the night of november 19, 2014, jacqueline woodson won the national book award for her memoirinverse brown girl dreaming, a moving, lyrical narrative of. Throughout his storied career, he has received four nebula awards and two hugo awards, and in 2008 his novel dark reflections won the stonewall book award. His heartbreaking dark reflections is a perfect novel for those with a more realistic bent. May 15, 2001 the prolific delany enjoys two audiences. In a late delany text, one notices what is absent the hero of dark reflections 2007, arnold hawley, has delany s insatiable appetite for books but is a virgin, a gay man who through fear. Dark reflections traces hawleys life in three sections in reverse order. It is so beautifully written and crafted that i had to sit up and take notice several times.
He encounters various characters on the periphery of society, most notably a mentally retarded but sexually aware giant rescued from alabama poverty by a pioneering. Delany s evocative novel is hardly so exalted, more prone to glancing at his toilet and his own weak flow than to glancing. Delany is the hugo awardwinning author of the popular novel dhalgren, and he has written everything from epic science fiction and postmodern theory to. Delany s 2007 novel dark reflections nearly disappeared. Beautifully crafted amos lassen and literary pride due out on may 15 is an exceptional novel by samuel delany dhalgren, the mad man which is sure to be a ht. Delany attended city college of new york now city university of new york in.
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