1930-96

Also known as Aaron Weintraub
American novelist and short-story writer

Brodkey was born Aaron Weintraub. His mother died when he was two years old and he was adopted by his father's cousin's family, but his new parents also soon died. He was sexually abused by his adoptive father. He continued to have contact with his father, but after his mother died he did not speak for 2 ½ years. He became HIV+ during a period when he was actively homosexual, but was also married and had a family. He died of AIDS.

References

Who's Who in America, 1996
Brodkey, Harold. "To My Readers," Independent on Sunday Magazine [London], 27 June 1993, pp. 34-35 (first published in the New Yorker, 1993)
Brodkey, Harold. This Wild Darkness: The Story of My Death. (New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1996)
Pyle, Richard. "Harold Brodkey Dies at 65; Novelist, New Yorker Writer." Available at: http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/nation/96/01/27/brodkey.html

Indexes

European
Jewish
USA
20th Century
Literature
Sexuality: Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transsexuals
Sexual
Hiv
Formal, American/European-Type Adoption
Pre-school Years
Unmarried Mother, Single Parent (Mother or Father) Unable to Cope
Cousins, Parents' Cousins
Adoptive/Foster Family Included Birth Child(ren)
Divorce or Premature Death of Adoptive Parent(s)
Parent(s) Died, Disappeared or Became Incapacitated
Always in Contact or Knew Identities