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likecymbeline's review against another edition
4.0
Essential reading for my thesis, Cook maps out urban homosexual culture geographically and temporally. Like in Robb Graham's [b:Strangers: Homosexual Love in the Nineteenth Century|1026051|Strangers Homosexual Love in the Nineteenth Century|Graham Robb|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348543855s/1026051.jpg|1012253] there is a solid discussion of court records of persecutions and trials in the late 19th century, which isn't reflective of daily life of homosexual men at the time but which is certainly useful to my research. I consulted this book ages ago when my current project was in utero (a second-year history paper has taken me here, what the hell), but I hadn't read it cover to cover until now, and it was very much rewarding to do so. The book could have been longer, really! I don't get exhausted of the topic.
This book is special to me, further, because it feels like the first very academic text that is really mine. Of course I've purchased many textbooks throughout my undergrad, but they are often surveys of a broad topic, or they are for a course that was not my calling. A lot of what I read are novels, which while I used them for academic purposes aren't strictly academic texts and are usually things I'd read on my own. Further, most of the time I take books out of the library because I am poor and can get all I need from there. This book is one that is specific to my research, which I will use throughout the writing of my thesis, and which I will now keep on my shelf. My supervisor gave it to me at the end of April and I now hold it near and dear.
This book is special to me, further, because it feels like the first very academic text that is really mine. Of course I've purchased many textbooks throughout my undergrad, but they are often surveys of a broad topic, or they are for a course that was not my calling. A lot of what I read are novels, which while I used them for academic purposes aren't strictly academic texts and are usually things I'd read on my own. Further, most of the time I take books out of the library because I am poor and can get all I need from there. This book is one that is specific to my research, which I will use throughout the writing of my thesis, and which I will now keep on my shelf. My supervisor gave it to me at the end of April and I now hold it near and dear.
spinebreaker01's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable, straightforward read about London’s gay culture primarily in the Victorian era. Subtlety but certainly takes down common misunderstandings and stereotypes and is well aware of historicizing the gay experience rather than anachronistically applying the modern one. Some of the conclusiony bits were repetitive but that’s fine, liked it overall.
foxwrapped's review against another edition
4.0
A little on the short side (about 150 pages?) and but very clear and focused. Well, I quess that's what you get when a book is clear and focused, so shorttishness is not a bad thing. I was particularly interested in chapters about late Victorian books, like Teleny, Dorian Gray, Sins of the Cities... Very useful bibliography.
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OMG now I have found a blog post that wrote everything that I thought while I was reading this book but was too lazy to include in a review: Queering Holmes
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OMG now I have found a blog post that wrote everything that I thought while I was reading this book but was too lazy to include in a review: Queering Holmes
kjcharles's review
4.0
A very good overview of London's queer history (concentrating on male homosexuality). Closely geographically located with lots of good side stories and insights into popular attitudes. It's a lot more interesting and nuanced than the narrative of blanket oppression. Very readable for an academic book, too.
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