Idlewild A Novel
Idlewild A Novel by James Frankie Thomas, published by Abrams, Incorporated in 2023, is a darkly humorous exploration of a profound teenage friendship set against the backdrop of a unique Quaker high school in lower Manhattan. The narrative unfolds as two outcasts, Fay and Nell, reflect on their intense bond during a pivotal 18-month period that begins with the tragic events of 9/11. The story captures their experiences in a setting where traditional educational norms are replaced by contemplative practices, allowing for a deep dive into their complex emotions and identities.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of themes including LGBTQ+ identity, friendship, and the challenges of coming of age in a rapidly changing world. As Fay and Nell navigate their feelings and the dynamics of their environment, they engage in backstage intrigue and antiwar demonstrations, all while grappling with their desires and regrets. This edition spans 389 pages and is presented in English, inviting readers to delve into a narrative that intertwines personal growth with the social landscape of their time.
Official synopsis Publisher
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY: Vox * The Paris Review * NPR * Vanity Fair / A FINALIST FOR THE L.A. TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR FIRST FICTION
James Frankie Thomas’s Idlewild is a darkly funny story of two adults looking back on their intense teenage friendship, in a queer, trans, and early-Internet twist on the Manhattan prep school novel.
Idlewild is a tiny, artsy Quaker high school in lower Manhattan. Students call their teachers by their first names, there are no grades, and every day begins with 20 minutes of contemplative silence in the Meetinghouse. It is during one of those meetings that an airplane hits the Twin Towers.
For two Idlewild outcasts, 9/11 serves as the first day of an intense, 18-month friendship. Fay is prickly, aloof, and obsessed with gay men; Nell is shy, sensitive, and obsessed with Fay. The two of them bond fiercely and spend all their waking hours giddily parsing their environment for homoerotic subtext.
Then, during rehearsals for the fall play, they notice two sexually ambiguous boys who are potential candidates for their exclusive Invert Society. The pairs become mirrors of one another and drive each other to make choices that they’ll regret for the rest of their lives.
Looking back on these events as adults, the estranged Fay and Nell trace that fateful school year, recalling backstage theater department intrigue, antiwar demonstrations, smutty fanfic written over AIM and a shared dial-up connection–and the spectacular cascade of mistakes, miscommunications, and betrayals that would ultimately tear the two of them apart.
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