The Shared Heart: Portraits and Stories Celebrating Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young People

by Adam Mastoon

With candor and sensitivity, thirty-nine young people write frankly about their own homosexuality. Told with honesty and courage, their words express the fundamental need all people share for acceptance and respect. Published in collaboration with the adult division of William Morrow.

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction, Lesbian, Queer, Art, Gay, Photography

96 pages, Hardcover

First published November 5, 1997

Reviews

[Cathleen Ash]

Before even opening this book, I knew it would be beautiful. Set up like a Coffee Table Book, each person's tale of finding and dealing with their sexuality in everday life is replete with a photograph - high quality and capturing the 'essence' of the person - and a hand-written note. Growing up, Mastoon (the photographer) felt 'alienated and alone' as his 'sexual orientation became a secret sorrow, rather than a celebration of love.' He developed this book so others who were struggling as he had would find external reflections that verified and affirmed their inner feeligns. Each picture is a tale - directed toward the reader - of the struggle, or success, of coming out or simply living as a lesbian, gay or bisexual teen. All of the people portrayed in this book were 17 to 22 years old at the time of its publication. This is a beautiful book - with wonderful stories - and hope for students struggling with their own sexual identities.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly the 1990s fashion on display in this book was hilarious. Distractingly hilarious. But it was one of the few early Lambda books that acknowledged the existence of bisexuality, which is awesome! I would've liked if there had been an editor to edit the stories but aesthetically, the book was lovely.

[Arianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. I learned a lot about the home and school life of the people in the books and I am starting to understand them a little more.

[Charisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book offered a good selection of stories for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth. It had multiple points if view from many people. It was all people in the same age range. One of the things I didn't like about it was the fact that it was quite outdated. I think maybe the author should make a second book. There are never enough books for gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Thats one of the things that bug me about todays society. We could really use some fresh books to read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that shows the many different faces, races, and cultures of lgbt teens.