You'll Laugh and Cry -- WHEN I KNEW...

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 8:57am

I didn't want this lost in another thread so I created this thread specifically about this book. I'm copying my earlier posts.
~~~~~~~~~~


A quality soft-cover book entitled, "When I Knew," Edited by Robert Trachtenberg and Illustrated by Tom Batchell. Published by Regan Books.

"When I Knew is a collection of smart, hilarious, and often poignant stories about that revelation for all gay men and women: then they first knew."

My 77-year old mother gave this to me as a "stocking-stuffer." When she came across in Barnes & Noble, she could not stop laughing.

The riminescences are from a very wide variety of men and women, including Broadway & BWW's own Marc Shaiman. Some are very short, some a longer, all are true.

I have been laughing since Christmas morning, and I cannot put the book down. I read aloud to whomever is in the room. I was thinking about some stories in the shower this morning and had a laughing fit.


Here's one brief excerpt from Andrew Freedman, marketing/film industry:

"1969--My father was watching the evening news. The announcer said that Judy Garland had died. I fainted. I was nine."

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 8:59am

In When I Knew, Howard Bragman, public relations executive, writes

"I knew I was gay when the most exciting part of my Bar Mitzvah was meeting with the party planner."

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 9:00am

While most of these recollections are humorous because they are based on truths, there are equally some snippets of memories that will be bring a tear to the eye, also because of the familial love demonstrated.

You'll laugh so hard you will cry, too.

The book is divided into roughly 3 sections:
1. When I Knew
2. When My Parents Knew
3. When Everyone Else Knew.

Here's one for the ladies.

Ms. Leslie Belzberg, film producer, writes

"My mother always dressed me, always. So in 1976 when I came home fro colege and told my parents I was gay, there was somedrama. But the next morning when I came downstairs in my usual jeans and flannel shirt, my mother, after seeing me in the idential outfit I've worn for twenty-two years, looked at me and said, "Aren't you looking at little butch this morning?"

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 9:09am

LOL !!! I don't know if I'm laughing at the ones you posted or that your mother bought this book for you....God love her !!!!

[WOSQ]

Posted: 12/27/05 at 10:27am

While I was reading this book, the eternal questions went through my head:

"Is this a source for a revue? Would this work as a show? Could there be songs? What sort of venue?"

I say: yes, yes, probably and a cabaret.