A Place I've Never Been
by David Leavitt
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David Leavitt's second collection of stories further confirms a talent deep and wonderfully creative in its empathy. A Place I've Never Been explores family relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships, among characters whose sexuality is fluid or uncertain — a barrier or under threat. A real estate agent happily married to a woman finds himself in love with another man in "Houses." A man entering a bold new world of gay hookups feels sheltered from the most intimidating show more attentions by his more attractive, charismatic friend. And Leavitt moves from the familiar American suburbs to Italy, where he's also spent time, to create a contrast with European concepts of loyalty and fidelity that transcends the usual stereotypes. A Place I've Never Been is clever and pleasurable, but also revelatory and wise. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Most of the stories in A place I've never been are tediously long and dragging. Although in most of these stories the main character is gay or lesbian, it feels as if the author tries to avoid foregrounding this. Given the fact that these short stories are very long, they do not present enough action of fascination to keep you interested.
Viele verschiedene Geschichten über das Leben, ein netter Zeitvertreib :)
Feb 26, 2010German
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Author Information
59+ Works 8,768 Members
David Leavitt's first collection of stories, "Family Dancing," was a finalist for both the National Book Critics Circle Award & the PEN/Faulkner Prize. "The Lost Language of Cranes" was made into a BBC film, & "While England Sleeps" was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Fiction Prize. Leavitt is also the author of "Equal Affections," "A Place show more I've Never Been," "Arkansas," & "The Page Turner." With Mark Mitchell, he coedited "The Penguin Book of Short Stories" & "The Pages Passed from Hand to Hand" & cowrote "Italian Pleasures." He is recipient of fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation & the National Endowment for the Arts. He divides his time between Italy and Florida. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards and Honors
Awards
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Rainbow pocketboeken (184)
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- A Place I've Never Been
- Original title
- A place I've never been
- Original publication date
- 1990
- Dedication*
- FOR MY FATHER
- First words*
- I had known Nathan for years-too many years, since we were in college-so when he went to Europe I wasn't sure how I'd survive it; het was my best friend, after all, my constant companion at Sunday afternoon double bills at th... (show all)e Thalia, my ever-present source of consolation and conversation.
- Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Just pick me up on your shoulders and carry me away."
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Members
- 481
- Popularity
- 62,818
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.67)
- Languages
- 8 — Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 18
- ASINs
- 6
