"The Lost Language of Cranes" Summary

Introduction

If you think your family is complicated, wait until you meet the Benjamins from David Leavitt’s “The Lost Language of Cranes”. This novel, first published in 1986, is a poignant, sometimes humorous, and always deeply human exploration of love, secrets, and self-discovery in the heart of 1980s New York City. Praised for its emotional depth and sharp social observation, Leavitt’s debut novel made waves for its candid portrayal of gay life and family dynamics—subjects rarely addressed with such honesty at the time. Whether you’re a college student exploring LGBTQ+ literature or a lecturer searching for a text that sparks discussion, this book offers both literary substance and emotional resonance.

Historical Context

Set during the early 1980s, “The Lost Language of Cranes” unfolds against a backdrop of rapid social change. Ronald Reagan is president, and the AIDS crisis is beginning to loom, casting a shadow over the gay community. Homosexuality is more visible but still stigmatized, creating a tension between private truths and public facades.

Leavitt draws inspiration from the New York literary scene and his own experiences as a young gay man. The city’s grit, diversity, and hidden corners become characters in their own right. The novel’s title references a 1971 linguistic study about a child who invents a private language after being isolated from human speech—a metaphor for the isolation and yearning for connection that runs throughout the story.

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

At its core, “The Lost Language of Cranes” is about coming out—both in the sense of revealing one’s sexuality and in the broader, universal sense of revealing one’s true self. The story revolves around Philip Benjamin, a young editor who decides to come out as gay to his parents, Rose and Owen. Unbeknownst to Philip, his father Owen is also struggling with his own sexual identity, living a secret life that threatens to unravel the family.

The plot gracefully weaves together the experiences of Philip as he navigates the joys and perils of first love, his parents as they confront their own disappointments and secrets, and a handful of other characters searching for meaning in a world where language—spoken and unspoken—can both connect and divide.

Setting

The novel is set primarily in Manhattan, New York City, during the early 1980s. The city’s apartments, bookstores, and gay bars are vividly rendered, providing both a physical and emotional landscape for the characters’ journeys. The atmosphere is one of both possibility and restriction—reflecting the era’s tentative steps toward greater acceptance, but also its persistent prejudices and fears.

Main Characters

Plot Summary

1. Secrets and Silences

The novel opens with the Benjamins living what appears to be a typical middle-class life. Rose is a librarian, Owen works in publishing, and Philip is finding his way as a young adult. But beneath the surface, everyone harbors secrets. Philip is anxious about telling his parents he is gay, while Owen secretly frequents gay cinemas, wrestling with desires he has suppressed for decades.

2. Coming Out

Philip’s decision to come out is both courageous and fraught. The narrative captures the tension in the Benjamin household as Philip reveals his truth. Rose is stunned and struggles to process the news, while Owen’s reaction is more ambiguous—hinting at deeper conflicts within himself.

3. Parallel Journeys

As Philip grows closer to Brad and explores his identity, Owen’s own secret life becomes increasingly difficult to manage. He meets Eliot, a gentle and understanding man, and is offered a glimpse of the life he might have led. The novel draws parallels between father and son, highlighting the generational differences in their experiences as gay men—Philip in an era of tentative openness, Owen in a time of rigid silence.

4. The Cranes Metaphor

Throughout the novel, Leavitt weaves in the metaphor of the “lost language of cranes”—referencing a story about a child who, isolated from language, invents his own. For the Benjamins, language is both a barrier and a bridge. Each character struggles to communicate their deepest needs, and much of the novel’s tension comes from these missed connections.

5. Family Confrontations

As secrets come to light, the family is forced to confront uncomfortable truths. Rose faces the reality that her marriage is built on silence and compromise. Owen must choose between continuing a life of secrecy or embracing honesty at great personal cost. Philip, meanwhile, seeks to reconcile his love for his parents with his need to live authentically.

6. Resolution and Ambiguity

Leavitt does not offer easy resolutions. The novel ends with the Benjamins facing an uncertain future, but with a new sense of honesty and possibility. The “language of cranes” may be lost, but the hope for understanding remains.

Themes and Motifs

1. Identity and Self-Discovery

The central theme is the search for identity—sexual, emotional, and familial. Philip and Owen’s parallel journeys highlight the pain and liberation of self-discovery.

2. Language and Communication

Language, both spoken and unspoken, is a recurring motif. The “lost language of cranes” symbolizes the ways people invent private languages when public ones fail. Misunderstandings and silences shape the characters’ relationships.

3. Family and Generational Conflict

The novel explores the tensions between parents and children, especially around issues of sexuality, expectation, and disappointment.

4. Isolation and Connection

Whether it’s Philip feeling isolated in his identity or Owen hiding his true self, the novel examines how people seek connection while fearing rejection.

5. Secrets and Lies

Much of the drama arises from secrets—what is hidden and what is revealed. The cost of secrecy, and the relief of truth, are central to the narrative.

Literary Techniques and Style

1. Realism and Detail

Leavitt’s writing is marked by its realism. He captures the textures of urban life, the nuances of family dynamics, and the intricacies of sexual awakening with unflinching honesty.

2. Multiple Perspectives

Although the novel primarily follows Philip, Leavitt deftly shifts perspectives to include Owen and Rose. This multi-voiced approach allows for a richer, more empathetic exploration of each character’s inner world.

3. Symbolism

The “lost language of cranes” is a powerful symbol for isolation and the longing for understanding. Other symbols—books, apartments, public spaces—underscore the characters’ emotional states.

4. Dialogue and Inner Monologue

Leavitt’s dialogue is sharp and natural, revealing character through what is said and left unsaid. Inner monologues provide access to the characters’ most private thoughts and fears.

5. Subtle Humor

Amidst the drama, Leavitt employs gentle humor—often in the form of social observation or awkward family moments—to lighten the tone and humanize his characters.

Author's Background

David Leavitt was born in 1961 and published “The Lost Language of Cranes” at the age of 25. He is part of a wave of openly gay writers who emerged in the 1980s, bringing LGBTQ+ experiences into mainstream literature. Leavitt’s writing is deeply informed by his own experiences as a gay man in America, and his works often explore themes of sexuality, family, and identity.

In addition to “The Lost Language of Cranes,” Leavitt has published numerous novels, short stories, and essays. His work is celebrated for its emotional honesty and literary craftsmanship. Leavitt’s influence extends to younger generations of writers and readers, particularly those interested in queer literature and the evolution of social attitudes in the late 20th century.

Key Takeaways

• Coming out is a deeply personal, often fraught process, shaped by culture and family.
• Secrets can both protect and harm; honesty brings both pain and healing.
• Language is as much about what is withheld as what is spoken.
• Generational differences shape the experience of identity and acceptance.
• Families can fracture and heal in surprising ways.

Reader's Takeaway

“The Lost Language of Cranes” will resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place in their own family or society. It’s a novel about the courage it takes to be oneself and the pain that sometimes comes with honesty. Leavitt’s characters are flawed but deeply sympathetic, and their struggles echo the experiences of countless readers—gay and straight, young and old.

Expect to be moved, challenged, and occasionally amused. The book may prompt you to reflect on your own family, your own secrets, and the ways in which language can both divide and unite.

Conclusion

David Leavitt’s “The Lost Language of Cranes” is a landmark novel in LGBTQ+ literature, a moving family drama, and a subtle meditation on the power of language and truth. Its sensitive portrayal of coming out, its nuanced characters, and its evocation of 1980s New York make it essential reading for students, lecturers, and anyone interested in the complexities of identity. Whether you’re looking for a novel that challenges, comforts, or simply makes you think, this book delivers. Dive in and discover a story that remains as relevant and resonant today as when it was first published.