By Michael Hurley
Beside Myself is ‘about growing up, growing older and coming to terms with the world.’ It reveals some of the things Michael has valued and treasured and combines them with stories of people, places, events and ideas that have shaped his queer sensibilities. The writing moves constantly between objects in his china cabinet that were given to him as gifts, the friendships involved in Sydney, Melbourne and beyond, films, books, sexual politics and associated homo sensibilities, whether gay, lesbian, bi or queer. Bloomsbury meets clone meets camp. They circle each other. Oscar watches on. High art meets low life, and the author lives in Babylon Berlin. It’s a change from growing up in Bandiana.
“Beside My Self is thoroughly original. I love that it is unabashedly intellectual, culturally rich and generous. It’s also very Australian, playful and funny.”
Kirsty Machon, author and critic.
Michael Hurley has been living through history – delightfully. With teacups, Marlene, varieties of micro-power, Reconciliation, fashion punk and more to keep him company. Beside My Self is your chance to join him on this journey – which is both his, and ours.”
Graham Willett, historian.
About the author
Michael Hurley co-authored Two Timing. Sex, Writing and the Writing of Sex with Jan Hutchinson and wrote A Guide to Gay and Lesbian Writing in Australia and Then and Now. Gay Men and HIV.
Published by The Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives, Melbourne, 2020. 224 pages.
A$38.50 (A$33 to AQuA members), plus A$13 postage within Australia. Price includes GST.
