The Farewell Symphony
Encyclopedia
The Farewell Symphony is a 1997 semi-autobiographical
novel
by Edmund White
.
It is the third of a trilogy
of novels, being preceded by A Boy's Own Story
(1982) and The Beautiful Room Is Empty
(1988). It depicts the later adulthood of its protagonist and documents his experience of homosexuality
from the 1960s to the 1990s.
by Joseph Haydn
.
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by Edmund White
Edmund White
Edmund Valentine White III is an American author and literary critic. He is a member of the faculty of Princeton University's Program in Creative Writing.- Life and work :...
.
It is the third of a trilogy
Trilogy
A trilogy is a set of three works of art that are connected, and that can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in literature, film, or video games...
of novels, being preceded by A Boy's Own Story
A Boy's Own Story
A Boy’s Own Story is a 1982 semi-autobiographical novel by Edmund White.-Overview:A Boy’s Own Story is the first of a trilogy of novels, describing a boy’s coming of age and documenting a young man’s experience of homosexuality in the 1950s in New Jersey...
(1982) and The Beautiful Room Is Empty
The Beautiful Room Is Empty
The Beautiful Room Is Empty is a 1988 semi-autobiographical novel by Edmund White.It is the second of a trilogy of novels, being preceded by A Boy's Own Story and followed by The Farewell Symphony...
(1988). It depicts the later adulthood of its protagonist and documents his experience of homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Allusions to other works
The title alludes to the "Farewell" SymphonySymphony No. 45 (Haydn)
Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, known as the "Farewell" Symphony , was composed by Joseph Haydn in 1772....
by Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
.