Twentysix
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Review
'It adeptly explores the dizzying heights and dark depths of sexuality. Kemp takes no prisoners as he consistently delivers stunning imagery which assaults the senses with a sometimes brutal take on the reality of sex and its effects on the mind and, potentially, the soul...As it edges towards its own shivering climax, this collection of short stories will leave you hot under the collar and always wishing for more.' --SOSO GAY
'Twentysix is a glorification of the profane in the tradition of such luminaries Jean Genet and Allen Ginsberg...These are twenty-six beautiful, intense and extraordinary incantations of desire, twenty-six discourses on intercourse, written in language that is at the same time brutal, tender and transformative; in the act of reading, the reader becomes part of something precious, powerful and profound.' --GAY'S THE WORD
'Steamy, saucy and stimulating.' --GAY TIMES
'A series of original, highly charged erotic encounters, Jonathan Kemp's collection has a short, carefully crafted tale for every letter of the alphabet. From cruising grounds to sex clubs, Twentysix is set to take the reader on a lyrical journey that explores the pursuit of pleasure. A must-read for all admirers of Kemp's critically acclaimed London Triptych.'
--ATTITUDE
'Twentysix is a glorification of the profane in the tradition of such luminaries Jean Genet and Allen Ginsberg...These are twenty-six beautiful, intense and extraordinary incantations of desire, twenty-six discourses on intercourse, written in language that is at the same time brutal, tender and transformative; in the act of reading, the reader becomes part of something precious, powerful and profound.' --GAY'S THE WORD
'Steamy, saucy and stimulating.' --GAY TIMES
'A series of original, highly charged erotic encounters, Jonathan Kemp's collection has a short, carefully crafted tale for every letter of the alphabet. From cruising grounds to sex clubs, Twentysix is set to take the reader on a lyrical journey that explores the pursuit of pleasure. A must-read for all admirers of Kemp's critically acclaimed London Triptych.'
--ATTITUDE
Product Description
Crafted around twenty-six extraordinary erotic encounters, this highly charged work is a powerful meditation on the pursuit of pleasure. In each chapter, titled after a letter of the alphabet, an anonymous narrator details his experiences, travelling to cruising grounds and sex clubs, exploring the boundaries of sex, desire, pleasure, and the body, while reflecting on the limits of language and the act of writing. In the tradition of Georges Bataille, Kathy Acker and Jean Genet, these pieces take us to places language doesn't often go. Kemp powerfully stages a series of anonymous encounters, describing the relentless pursuit of sexual pleasure with luminous intensity, while at the same time facing the impossibility of capturing the moments he describes. This is a bold and challenging work, unashamedly sensual and searching. Kemp beautifully counterpoises explicit description with a searing interrogation of the extreme measures taken in the quest for sexual fulfillment.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I don't know how it has happened but contemporary gay British writing seems to have had a damn good shot in the arm recently. Alongside talents like Rupert Smith, James Maker and Paul Burston - all blazing their own wonderful trails - Jonathan Kemp, writer of the award-winning "London Triptych" has produced another goosebump-inducing, brilliant piece of writing. "Twentysix" is every bit as though-provoking, intelligent, visceral and gripping as "London Triptych", but is, it has to be said, a whole lots sexier. And "LT" was a sexy book...
With a superior writing style that is singularly his own, Kemp nevertheless evokes the poetry of Cocteau, the heady danger of Genet, the elegant debauchery of Tennessee Williams ("Moise and the World of Reason" in particular), the erotic imaginings of Anais Nin and the magical wordplay of Angela Carter and Katherine Dunn. Within two days I'd read the book four times, before buying up copies of it for friends.
Detailing a series of intimate encounters - the 26 of the title, all corresponding to the letters of the alphabet - the book is one of the cleverest and most sensual books I've read, perhaps ever. Each time I read it, once done, I felt like my mind wanted to flop back on the bed, spent, and have a cigarette.....Everyone should read this book....
With a superior writing style that is singularly his own, Kemp nevertheless evokes the poetry of Cocteau, the heady danger of Genet, the elegant debauchery of Tennessee Williams ("Moise and the World of Reason" in particular), the erotic imaginings of Anais Nin and the magical wordplay of Angela Carter and Katherine Dunn. Within two days I'd read the book four times, before buying up copies of it for friends.
Detailing a series of intimate encounters - the 26 of the title, all corresponding to the letters of the alphabet - the book is one of the cleverest and most sensual books I've read, perhaps ever. Each time I read it, once done, I felt like my mind wanted to flop back on the bed, spent, and have a cigarette.....Everyone should read this book....
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book defies categorisation. Parts of it are like a gay Khalil Gilbran, almost elegaic But it explores the significance of gay sexual urges, often raw, basic and overpowering, in terms of what they mean in wider human existence. Some of it is shocking, most of it is powerfully sensual and a lot of it leaves you thinking: "Yes; that is the expression of who I am that I have been reaching for". My favourite quote from the book: "Sexuality is part of our behaviour, part of our freedom, something that we ourselves create...With it we make and unmake the world. With it we speak a different tongue".Yes!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jonathan Kemp is one of the best contemporary English author I've ever read. The way he uses language to convey feelings are just perfect. His writing is elegant, really beautiful. It shows a love for perfection and a respect for the reader.
When I bought Twenty-six I had already read London Triptych and loved it. I hadn't so far read any books on male homosexuality and wanted to read about it. His books are about love; love as desire and pleasure. I thought it would be impossible for an author to write a second book as good as the first one but Jonathan proved me wrong. Twentysix is again a mesmeric book about the human desire to find pleasure. And Jonathan Kemp's books are like the desire he writes about, it is momentarily fulfilled (while you are reading the book)and afterwards leave you wanting more. I look forward to reading his third book.
Maria Sette, London
When I bought Twenty-six I had already read London Triptych and loved it. I hadn't so far read any books on male homosexuality and wanted to read about it. His books are about love; love as desire and pleasure. I thought it would be impossible for an author to write a second book as good as the first one but Jonathan proved me wrong. Twentysix is again a mesmeric book about the human desire to find pleasure. And Jonathan Kemp's books are like the desire he writes about, it is momentarily fulfilled (while you are reading the book)and afterwards leave you wanting more. I look forward to reading his third book.
Maria Sette, London
Most Recent Customer Reviews
one of my books of the year
This is an amazing book , the words just ooze off each page and the erotic moments are so vivid , so complex , painful , beautiful . I shall read this over and over. A classic .
Published 5 months ago by cartoon
Bleak, Uplifiting, Bittersweet, Smart
This is a very adjectival book - layer upon layer of description. In the hands of another writer it would be overpowering or flowery, but in the hands of a master wordsmith like... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Booksthatmatter
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