Vulgar Genres: Gay Pornographic Writing and Contemporary Fiction

Vulgar Genres is a book-length study of gay pornographic writing that emerged as a distinct genre in the 1960s and shaped queer male subjectivity well into the new millennium. It draws on a large archive of pulp novels, short fiction, lifestyle magazines, journals, reviews, editorial statements, and correspondence, and puts these materials in conversation with works by contemporary writers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Vulgar Genres: Examining Gay Pornographic Writing

In a groundbreaking exploration, Vulgar Genres delves into the realm of gay pornographic writing, shedding light on the intricate interplay between literature and the representation of queer male eroticism. This comprehensive study uncovers how literary fiction has been both influenced by and serves as a critical commentary on the relationship between pornography and the experiences of queer men.

For far too long, the field of porn studies has remained predominantly focused on visual forms, neglecting the rich literary dimensions of the pornographic genre. However, Steven Ruszczycky emerges as a trailblazer with his meticulously researched work, Vulgar Genres. Through a vast array of sources, including pulp novels, short fiction, lifestyle magazines, journals, reviews, editorial statements, and correspondence, Ruszczycky traces the emergence of gay pornographic writing as a distinct genre in the 1960s and its profound impact on shaping queer male subjectivity throughout the new millennium.

Spanning four decades, Vulgar Genres offers a comprehensive examination of the historical trajectory of gay pornographic writing. By engaging with a rich archive of materials, Ruszczycky weaves a tapestry that brings together a diverse range of voices and perspectives. He engages in a lively dialogue with contemporary writers such as William Carney, Dennis Cooper, Samuel Delany, John Rechy, and Matthew Stadler, thus enriching the analysis with fresh insights and theoretical frameworks. While the study primarily focuses on the period from 1966 to 2005, Vulgar Genres reveals that the history of gay pornographic writing during this era holds significant implications for our understanding of the online landscape over the past twenty years. From the emergence of cruising to the proliferation of digital pornographic texts, the insights garnered from this period shed light on the evolving dynamics of sexuality and gender in the digital age.

Vulgar Genres emerges as a landmark achievement in the field of porn studies, offering a profound and nuanced understanding of the intersection between literature, sexuality, and gender. It not only expands our knowledge of pornographic writing but also contributes significantly to the history of gay life, providing valuable insights into the complex and ever-evolving narratives of queer identities. This book is a must-read for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in exploring the complex interplay.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226788616