Up next: James Baldwin’s queer classic novel, Giovanni’s Room, exploring queer desire, shame, and the writer’s own sense of self. Outburst’s book group returns on 19 January at 7pm, join us!
“Baldwin’s haunting and controversial second novel is his most sustained treatment of sexuality, and a classic of gay literature. In a 1950s Paris swarming with expatriates and characterized by dangerous liaisons and hidden violence, an American finds himself unable to repress his impulses, despite his determination to live the conventional life he envisions for himself. After meeting and proposing to a young woman, he falls into a lengthy affair with an Italian bartender and is confounded and tortured by his sexual identity as he oscillates between the two.”
The book group is free and open to all, but there are limited places. Please let us know you’re planning to attend by emailing participate@outburstarts.com and we can send you the link to meet us online.
Outburst’s book group explores classic and contemporary queer books and ideas. We want to share accessible, exciting fiction (and more) that introduces queer themes, creative forms, and ways of being…and think about how these ideas relate to the queer futures we imagine for ourselves. We meet roughly every 5 or 6 weeks to discuss a new book in a welcoming and friendly setting. For the moment, our meeting place will be online, but in the future it will be in a city-centre Belfast location.
If you have any trouble finding/affording the book, please get in touch (participate(at)outburstarts.com) and we can help out!
