sentinel voices

Song of Myself: A Novel is a gay man’s odyssey of self-discovery. It is the story of Daniel Dell Blake, a gay man navigating his way through a tumultuous twentieth-century America. His rites of passage, including embracing his identity, garnering self-respect, and living with irrepressible creativity, will resonate for readers confronting today’s culture wars. Daniel’s struggles against societal norms, infused with wit, celebrate human resilience while offering historical insight, punctuated throughout by quotes from Walt Whitman, whose life and writings serve as a touchstone-to the narrator and to the reader-a testament to how truth and pride, and even humble efforts in the midst of monumental events become (in Whitman’s words) ＂the journey-work of the stars.＂

Song of Myself: A Novel chronicles the gay experience from World War II through the early AIDS crisis. The novel, deeply influenced by Walt Whitman’s work, offers a poignant reflection on the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community during a pivotal era of social change.

Dr. Lawrence D. Mass, Kantrowitz’s surviving life partner, provides context for the novel’s relevance in today’s socio-political climate. ＂What was once a historical chronicle has become a cautionary tale,＂ says Mass. ＂Arnie’s novel resonates strongly with current challenges to LGBTQ+ rights and recognition.＂

The publication of Song of Myself: A Novel coincides with ongoing debates about the representation of historical figures’ sexuality, including that of Walt Whitman himself. Kantrowitz, a devoted Whitman scholar, sought to affirm the poet’s identity as gay throughout his career.

Song of Myself: A Novel is described as a picaresque and bawdy novel, filled with adventure, humor, wisdom, and resilience. It stands as a testament to Kantrowitz’s role as a sentinel voice in the Gay Liberation movement, advocating for self-realization and resistance against oppression.