FIRE ISLAND A Century in the Life of an American Paradise

Narrator Joe Jameson smoothly blends the British author's polished documentary-style remove, accessible literary scholarship, and candid memoir to create especially engaging narrative nonfiction. The rich cultural history and unique identities of Fire Island's gay communities, Cherry Grove and the Pines, unfold through Jameson's clear, well-paced delivery. Famous literary visitors, including Patricia Highsmith, W.H. Auden, James Baldwin, and AIDS activists Vito Russo and Larry Kramer, illuminate the intersections of their daily lives with the arts and social justice movements, on and off the island. These vibrant communities have served as a refuge and vacation destination for generations of predominantly white, cisgender gay men, and a now growing number of travelers from across the LGBTQIA+ community. This production is a listening treat for queer history enthusiasts. J.R.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2022]