Imre: A Memorandum
Encyclopedia
Imre: A Memorandum, is a novel about the homosexual relationship between two men. It was written in Europe by the expatriate American-born author, Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson
, who originally published it under the pseudonym of Xavier Mayne in a limited-edition imprint of 500 copies Naples, Italy, in 1906.
, Hungary
. Over the course of several months they forge a friendship that leads to various revelations and disclosures, each of which are carried out with the greatest of subtlety.
novel (John Brent by Theodore Winthrop
[1861] and Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania
by Bayard Taylor
[1870] precede it), it is considered to be of some importance, as it is the first such with a happy ending.
The novel was republished on January 1, 2003, by Broadview Press
(ISBN 1551113589), in a new edition, which includes a discussion of the life of Edward Prime-Stevenson, about whom little is known, as well as an extensive annotation on the text of the novel by the publishing editor, James J. Gifford.
Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson
Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson was an American author. He used the pseudonym of Xavier Mayne.-Biography:Edward Prime Stevenson was born on July 23, 1858 in Madison, New Jersey...
, who originally published it under the pseudonym of Xavier Mayne in a limited-edition imprint of 500 copies Naples, Italy, in 1906.
Plot introduction
It was described by the author as "a little psychological romance". The narrative follows the lives of two men, who by chance meet at a cafe in BudapestBudapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. Over the course of several months they forge a friendship that leads to various revelations and disclosures, each of which are carried out with the greatest of subtlety.
Literary significance and criticism
Although Imre: A Memorandum is not the first American gayGay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
novel (John Brent by Theodore Winthrop
Theodore Winthrop
Theodore Winthrop was a writer, lawyer, and world traveller. He was one of the first Union officers killed in the American Civil War.-Biography:...
[1861] and Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania
Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania
Joseph and His Friend: A Story of Pennsylvania is an 1870 novel by American author Bayard Taylor.-Plot introduction:Joseph, a young man, marries Madeline, to his friend Philip's dismay...
by Bayard Taylor
Bayard Taylor
Bayard Taylor was an American poet, literary critic, translator, and travel author.-Life and work:...
[1870] precede it), it is considered to be of some importance, as it is the first such with a happy ending.
The novel was republished on January 1, 2003, by Broadview Press
Broadview Press
Broadview Press is an independent academic publisher that focuses on the humanities. Founded in 1985 by Don LePan, the company now employs over 25 people, has over 500 titles in print, and publishes approximately 50 titles each year...
(ISBN 1551113589), in a new edition, which includes a discussion of the life of Edward Prime-Stevenson, about whom little is known, as well as an extensive annotation on the text of the novel by the publishing editor, James J. Gifford.