Synopses & Reviews
When I Knew is a collection of smart, hilarious, and often poignant stories about that revelation for all gay men and women: when they first knew. In this gorgeously illustrated, cleverly designed, and colorful book, acclaimed fashion and celebrity photographer Robert Trachtenberg brings humor and style to the EUREKA! moments of more than eighty contributors, including B. D. Wong, Arthur Laurents, Simon Doonan, Stephen Fry, Marc Shaiman, Michael Musto, and more. Also mixed in are tales about when parents knew and when everyone else knew, as well as laugh-out-loud coming-out stories.
Readers will fall in love with these anecdotes, from the seven-year-old who looked under the television set to sneak a peek under Tarzan's loincloth, to the inquisitive grandmother who asked her grandson, "You don't like a girl to get married? You prefer a boy?", to the courageous field trip participant who passed up the universal favorite burger-and-fry combo in favor of the fruit plate with cottage cheese.
Filled with original art by New Yorker illustrator Tom Bachtell, historical images, and personal photographs from the contributors, When I Knew is a vibrant and witty celebration of that sometimes glorious, sometimes painful, but always captivating moment when everything suddenly makes sense.
Review
3rd Place, Special Trade-General Category, New York Book Show No Source
Synopsis
When I Knew is a collection of smart, uproarious, often poignant stories about that revelatory moment for all gay men and women: when they first knew. In this gorgeously illustrated, cleverly designed full-color book, acclaimed fashion and celebrity photographer Robert Trachtenberg brings humor and style to the retelling of the unique stories of over 100 contributors, including B.D. Wong, Arthur Laurents, Simon Doonan, Stephen Fry, Marc Shaiman, Michael Musto, and more. Readers will fall in love with these endearing anecdotes, from the seven-year-old who sat at the bottom of the television trying to peek up Tarzan's tunic, to the nine-year-old who fainted when he learned that Judy Garland had died, to Will and Grace co-creator Max Mutchnick, who knew he was gay when he outgrew his mother's high heels. The contributors also share stories about when their families knew, and when everyone else knew.
Synopsis
More than 100 contributors, including B.D. Wong, Arthur Laurents, Simon Doonan, Stephen Fry, Marc Shaiman, and Michael Musto share endearing anecdotes and stories about when they, their families, and everyone else knew they were gay.
About the Author
Robert Trachtenberg's fashion and celebrity photographs have been published in the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Entertainment Weekly, and InStyle, among many other publications. He has also directed documentaries on George Cukor, Gene Kelly, Irving Thalberg, and Cary Grant. He lives in Los Angeles. He always knew.