Edge: Travels of an Appalachian Leather Bear

by Jeff Mann

The autobiographical essays in Edge offer insight into the passions of acclaimed author Jeff Mann. These memories, insightful as they are endearing, range from his boyhood obsession with the gothic allure of Dark Shadows, to the doubt and pain of being a Southerner, and so at the edge of the gay community, and the appeal of leather bars and bear culture. Mann also visits gay meccas in these essays--the resorts of Key West, Provincetown, and Rehoboth Beach, along with several European destinations such as Germany, Ireland, Belgium, and Scotland, have important cameos. But he is never an idle traveler--he is challenged by his experiences, and his observations reveal the thoughts of many gay men. Along the way Mann ruminates on a variety of subjects, from lost lovers to wearing kilts, theophany, Sylvia Plath, adult videos, and bathhouses.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Memoir

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Jeff Mann’s poetry, fiction, and essays have appeared in many publications, including Prairie Schooner, Shenandoah, Laurel Review and The Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide. He has published three award-winning poetry chapbooks, Bliss, Mountain Fireflies, and Flint Shards from Sussex; two full-length books of poetry, Bones Washed with Wine and On the Tongue; a collection of personal essays, Edge: Travels of an Appalachian Leather Bear; a book of poetry and memoir, Loving Mountains, Loving Men; and a short fiction volume, A History of Barbed Wire, which won a Lambda Literary Award. He teaches creative writing at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Reviews

[Sean Meriwether · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps knowing Jeff Mann personally has influenced my judgment in reading Edge: Travels of an Appalachian Leather Bear, but I would have enjoyed this collection without that relationship. Mann is a worldly individual with a penchant for travelling outside of his beloved Appalachia, a man who indulges his appetites for food and drink, and one who has an artist’s eye for appreciating the beauty of men. His character is woven into these poetic stories and he comes across on the page as clearly as he does in person. Jeff is a complex individual, one who is fiercely protective of his friends and lovers, a kind and poetic soul, but despite his polite upbringing has a very low tolerance for those who are loud, obnoxious or boring (god forbid you are all three!). Then his entire soul bristles, but he avenges himself with witty barbs that border on the side of Wilde (and these I think I enjoyed as much as the descriptions of the mustachioed he-men that attract his eye.) As good as Edge is, I prefer another of his publications, Loving Mountains, Loving Men, which is a memoir/essay/poetry collection that shows the true heart of this Southern gentleman.

[📚Linda Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mann’s perspective as an Appalachian and college professor, but really nothing too profound for me. I particularly found the essay “Teaching Gay and Lesbian Literature” interesting. His characterization of Gen Z students was spot on to my experience as one who has created content and taught college level students in this group.

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Karin Wollina · Rating 5 out of 5]

very much enjoyed these essays