Books like The Gallery by John Horne Burns
John Horne Burns’ *The Gallery* draws readers into occupied Naples in 1944, where a diverse group of soldiers, civilians, and gay men meet at the ruined Galleria Umberto. The novel chronicles their quests for food, drink, money, and escape amid the ruins of war. Burns’ work is one of the earliest American novels to address gay sexuality within the military, offering a candid portrayal of the conflicted feelings that shaped the post‑war era.
Critically acclaimed upon its 1947 publication, the book reflects on the shock that World War II delivered to American preconceptions and ideals and explores how the war forged the United States into a global superpower.
Through its vivid setting and frank treatment of sexuality, *The Gallery* remains an important historical study of wartime Italy, U.S. soldiers, and LGBTQ experiences before Stonewall.
First publish date: 1947
Genre: War & Military Fiction/World War II Fiction
Authors: John Horne Burns
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