The androgyne journal

by James Broughton

autobiographical account of poet's identity crisis

Genres: LGBT

91 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

James Broughton (November 10, 1913 - May 17, 1999) was a pioneer of experimental filmmaking, a central player in California's creative literary scene, a bard of sensuality and spirituality, an invigorated gay elder, and a preacher of Big Joy. His life's work was an attempt to discover the contradictory nature of his humanity and its roots; the result was a poetic and artistic life that inspired many. Broughton's advice to filmmakers: Follow your own weird.

Broughton was part of the San Francisco Renaissance. He was an early bard of the Radical Faeries as well as a charter member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence serving her community as Sister Sermonetta. His life story is told in the forthcoming feature-length documentary, "Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton," set to be released in 2013-2014.

Reviews

[John Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was too young to read this, and I don’t think the second half of the book is appropriate for any age. HOWEVER, the first half is wonderful and divine and resonant. This book is daring to say the least. It’s a marvel it was published, because it is clearly written to and for Broughton himself.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this obscure diary account of a summer in the poet's life in which he discovered and embraced his masculine and feminine sexuality in a sort of post-analytical, neo-pagan communion with nature. By avoiding a lot of slang from the era that would date the writing, he achieves a timeless quality that reminded me of Walt Whitman. I think this book is very relevant to today's evolving attitudes about gender and sexuality, as well as the environment, and I thank my centenarian friend, M.B., for recommending this author to me.

[Kitten Calfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Broughton's journal of personal exploration and transformation is a classic of the memoir genre. That said, the playful side of me much prefers his books of prose like High Kukus or Hooplas: Odes for Odd Occasions over this collection of essays, because it seems that I'm a poetry fiend these days.

[Mills College Library]

818.5403 B8755a 1991