Cuba and the Fall: Christian Text and Queer Narrative in the Fiction of José Lezama Lima and Reinaldo Arenas

Cover, Title Page, Copyright

Cuba and the Fall New World Studies Silvio A. Torres-Saillant, Editor J. Michael Dash, Frank Moya Pons, and Sandra Pouchet Paquet, Associate Editors Cuba and the Fall Christian Text and Queer Narrative in the Fiction of José Lezama Lima and Reinaldo Arenas Eduardo González University of Virginia Press Charlottesville and London University of Virginia Press© 2010 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper First published 2010 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data González, Eduardo, 1943– Cuba and the Fall : Christian text and queer narrative in the fiction of José Lezama Lima and Reinaldo Arenas / Eduardo González. p. cm. — (New World studies) ISBN 978-0-8139-2981-1 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8139-2982-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8139-2987-3 (e-book) 1. Gay men’s writings, Cuban—History and criticism. 2. Homosexuality in literature. 3. Fall of man in literature. 4. Homosexuality—Religious aspects— Christianity. 5. Homosexuality and literature—Cuba—History—20th century. 6. Christianity and literature—Cuba—History—20th century. 7. Lezama Lima, José—Criticism and interpretation. 8. Arenas, Reinaldo, 1943–1990—Criticism and interpretation. I. Title. PQ7382.G64 2010 863.6409352664—dc22 2009047695 Julieta Campos in memoriam For my mother Delia For Steve Nichols This page intentionally left blank Whatever pure thou in the body enjoy’st (And pure thou wert created) we enjoy In eminence, and obstacle find none Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars: Easier than Air with Air, if Spirits embrace, Total they mix, Union of Pure with Pure Desiring; nor restrained conveyance need As Flesh to mix with Flesh, or Soul with Soul. (Raphael explains to Adam before the Fall how unfallen angels enjoy sex in heaven) Paradise Lost (VIII.622–29) This page intentionally left blank ...