Lost Language of Cranes

by David Leavitt

Book Overview

A remarkable first novel about a complex family and a marriage suddenly imperiled by the revelation of secrets long kept by father and son. By the author of Family Dancing.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394538730
• ISBN13: 9780394538730
• Release Date: August 1986
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 319 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent gay literature speaking in a distinct voice

The Lost Language of Cranes is the only book I have ever read by this author. Still, its evocative style and powerful prose made a lasting impression. The author tells a story of two generations of gay men, a father and son in the same family, both in their own particular closets. The pain these characters suffer is both palpable and moving.Most beautiful is the author's use of the allegory of linguistics and feral children, in particular people struggling to develop a language in which they can communicate. The image is poignant and made more powerful with repetition. Each example given is subtly different, yet telling about the life of gay men and lesbian struggling to find a language that they can call their own.A wonderful read for any one, gay, straight or otherwise.

Leaves a lasting impression

It is so rare for me to read a book that leaves such a resounding vibration in my mind. I read this book when I turned 16, it is a year later now, and as I reread the book it holds as true now as it did then. It is both sad and terrifying when you can so closely identify with a character going through a difficult time. At the time that I read the book I was getting over a relationship that should have never existed. The way that I interacted with my ex was the same way that Phillip and Eliot acted toward one another. It not only opened my eyes to the fact that I shouldn't have been in this situation due to the fact that it was unhealthy, but that I could change; there was hope for me yet. I would tell anyone that is feeling sorry for themselves over the fact that their first love, or anyone for that matter, has left them to pick up this book and read it. It will help. Sometimes, what you need is right there in front of you, you just don't see it.

Beautiful. Timeless. A gay classic to be reckoned with.

When I am given the task of writing a review such a wonderful book, I have to wonder where to start. Leavitt's writing is fresh, beautiful, and goes down so smooth you don't realize you have the pages turning until you stop and look to see how much you've read. The breadth and accuracy of emotions portrayed in this book are truly extrodinary. This is truly a beautiful story that will stay with me in my heart. My heart goes out to Rose, who has to contend with so much and wonder if she gives off pheromones that turn men gay. My sympathies find their way to Owen who struggles with an issue his whole life, and only finds that he took it the wrong direction and wasted it and hurt someone that he love--but not in the way he might have originally thought he would. And I send a whole spectrum of my emotions to Philip whoes personality and feelings in many ways reflect my own; Philip's strugle is the most completely documented. The novel comes to a closing in which the reader is left to speculate where things will go from there, and I have to complain, but the complaint is mostly because by that point I never wanted the novel to end. While Edmund White proves to be the best gay writer of his generation, David Leavitt takes the tourch and makes it burn even brighter. And for that he is to be celbrated. This was the first Leavitt novel I read, and I followed it up with his wondeful collection, Family Dancing. I am now reading Arkansas: Three Novellas. Prejudice hurts us, but the mainstream suffers more than they know for not finding and embracing a book of such beauty.

Characters I could relate to

I first read this novel as I was getting over a crush, and about to enter what turned out to be a short but suffocating relationship with some bimbo Adonis. As a gay male, it was refreshing to read about characters that I could relate to, especially the protagonist.The setting was contemporary to my experience as well. I urge anyone who has just come out, and WANTS a stable relationship, to read this book.It offersa variety of relationship types, and it's left to the reader to decide what they want,and what they don't want.Remember never to give up hope, but always keep a belief in fate as well.

An excellent and sensitive book by a young writer

"The Lost Language of Cranes" is an excellent book. David Leavitt tells a story on the relations between a Deep-deep-in-the-closet father and his Going-out-of-the-closet young son. David Leavitt portrays the difficulty of the father to be a homosexual at an age when it was nowhere near acceptable, his denial and self deceit and his current regret - the voice of the old generation(s). He adroitly describes the son's feelings of self-discovery with more than a flare of optimism and in great sensitivity and in the name of the new generation he proves that happiness and love are attainable through self acceptance.