Curiouser: On The Queerness Of Children

by Steven Bruhm, Natasha Hurley

Simple representations of children that frame what is normative and what is queer are examined in a collection of essays by scholars of childhood and sexuality, including such eminent scholars as Lauren Berlant, Andr Furlani, Judith Halberstam, Ellis Hanson, Paul Kelleher, and others. Simultaneous.

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, Essays, LGBT

376 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[Emily]

I've only read the Kincaid and Stockton essays so far. it's Super interesting and thought provoking. it's a highly intellectual, critical, and objective way of looking at the ways in which we sexualize children--no political implications no, "it's wrong" or "we shouldn't" but pointing out how weird we are about the topic. Why we "desexualize" children--children are not sexual--but also assume that all children are heterosexual--assinging them sexual desires and behaviors. Stockton's next book (out next year), entirely on Queerness and Childhood, was spawned from her writing this essay.

[Maxine]

Like most collections—some pieces fascinating, some utter gobbledygook, some in between. A few were uncomfortable to read, as they apparently condone adult sex with children in some situations. Though I see where these arguments come from, it’s a slippery slope. Nonetheless, many of the chapters were fascinating—a personal favorite was the piece on queer Girl Scouts. Worth a look.

[Ellie Lloyd]

The collection of essays in this book were super interesting and also very helpful for my dissertation!

[Cara]

Not bad at all, just not what I anticipated either.

[Holly]

Didn't read all of the essays, but it's a book I saw fit to keep on my shelf and not re-sell after my class. I'd like to read some more of it.

[Colleen]

Some insightful essays about reading queer children in literature, and a few "I have no idea what point the author is trying to make but I gotta read this before class tomorrow" essays.