Book description
"Intoxicating . . . Sexy, political and deeply humane . . . We all owe Penguin Classics a round of shots for A Last Supper of Queer Apostles." --The Washington Post A galvanizing look at life on the margins of society by a crowning figure of Latin America's queer counterculture who celebrated "melodrama, kitsch, extravagance, and vulgarity of all kinds" (Garth Greenwell) in playful, performative, linguistically inventive essays, now available in English for the first time A Penguin Classic "I speak from my difference," wrote Pedro Lemebel, an openly queer writer and artist living through Chile's AIDS epidemic and the collapse of the Pinochet dictatorship. In brilliantly innovative essays--known as crónicas--that combine memoir, reportage, fiction, history, and poetry, he brought visibility and dignity to sexual minorities, the poor, and the powerless. Touching on everything from Che Guevara to Elizabeth Taylor, from the aftermath of authoritarian rule to the daily lives of Chile's locas--a slur for trans women and effeminate gay men that he boldly reclaims--his writing infuses political urgency with playfulness, realism with absurdism, and resistance with camp, and his AIDS crónicas immortalize a generation of Chileans doubly "disappeared" by casting each loca, as she falls sick, in the starring role of her own private tragedy. This volume brings together the best of his work, introducing readers of English to the subversive genius of a literary activist and queer icon whose acrobatic explorations of the Santiago demimonde reverberate around the world. For more than seventy-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 2,000 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
About the Author
Pedro Lemebel (1952-2015) is considered one of the most important queer writers of twentieth-century Latin America and was also an activist and a performance artist. Born in Santiago, Chile, he became a renowned voice of Latin American counterculture during the Pinochet dictatorship and its aftermath. He received Chile's José Donoso Prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is best known for his crónicas and one novel, My Tender Matador, which has been translated into more than a dozen languages and was adapted in 2020 into a critically acclaimed film by Chilean director Rodrigo Sepúlveda. Gwendolyn Harper (editor/translator) won a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and a Work in Progress grant from the Robert B. Silvers Foundation for A Last Supper of Queer Apostles. She holds an MFA from Brown University. Idra Novey (foreword) is the award-winning author of the novels Ways to Disappear, Those Who Knew, and Take What You Need. She lived in Chile for several years, returns often, and has translated work by various Chilean writers, including Nona Fernández and Marco Antonio de la Parra. Her own work has been translated into a dozen languages, and she's written for The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Guardian. She teaches fiction writing at Princeton University.
Kamikaze Granny
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
New York Winder
🛌 Indulging in soothing bedtime stories – this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. 🌙📚 Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in! Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
All Natural
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. 🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 Audiobooks made easy – this app's functionality is truly a gift. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is impressive. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
Racy Babe
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Undergrad
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
The Howling Swede
The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Seattle Jay
This app is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts. The interface is intuitive, and the playback is seamless! Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Ba1t
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature! Makes listening to audiobooks so easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer.
NexusNomad
With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. 🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature.
ManBreaker
🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Bad Beret
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
NecroBull
Audiobooks on this app have made me look forward to my long commutes. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. Bookmarks are a fantastic organizational tool. They help me keep track of important moments in my audiobooks.
Bad Beret
I'm addicted to this app – it's like having a library in my pocket. With this app, I'm discovering the joy of reading during my commutes. 🎶 Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators – audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. 🎵📚 Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Sneaky Lady
ListenBook's compatibility with different formats ensures I never have to worry about file conversions. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is a true gift. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Pink Hopper
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content.
Old Regret
This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. The auto-rewind feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances my listening journey. I appreciate it!
Nueva Nova
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Berry Succubus
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Contrary Mary
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic.
Show Off
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience