GLBTQ Literature

[Nightshade]

This morning someone asked us for a list of popular gay authors. Which put all of us at the library and especially my boss into a right flap (although we didnt show it obviously because we DIDN’T know. Eventually they managed to unearth 2 books and I later found the New penguin book of gay short stories( Bright pink book second to bottom shelf first bay last row by the window)
And managed to remember coming across this in a news letter sent to me by the county for my book group:


Big Gay Read

In 2005 Manchester Central Library set up a gay and lesbian reading group open to anyone wanting to broaden their reading experience. The Big Gay Read was a suggestion from the members of that group and has now become a national vote. This is an opportunity to try a selection from the shortlist. Includes titles by Amanda Boulter, Stella Duffy, Jeffrey Eugenides, Patricia Highsmith, Alan Hollingworth, Armistead Maupin, Jamie O'Neill, Annie Proulx, Jane Rule, Shyam Selvadurai, Colm Tobin and Jeannette Winterson.

But the terrible truth is that none of us knew anything about that genre so Ive decided I need to amass a nice list for future reference ( and it will probably be useful if Im ever asked again)
So I guess what Im asking is Gay literature? what is it? who writes it? would things like the color purple qualify? Is gay and lesbian different genres?
And does ANYONE know who the most popular are -- or barring that what is their favorites?

Eternally grateful as always redundantly

Night
please note I even used the spell checker thats how much Im grateful:brow: :D

[chmpman]

Two poets off the top of my head:

Hart Crane
Allen Ginsberg

[beer good]

Two obvious ones: Oscar Wilde, William Burroughs.

Bret Easton Ellis & Jeanette Winterson are two others that spring to mind.

Poppy Z Brite isn't technically gay, but does write a lot about it.

[Shannanigan]

There are two major categories of gay literature: literature written by homosexual authors, and literature that is related to (about) homosexuals. Within that there are probably sub-categories (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual, etc.), but as far as I know the genre hasn't grown large enough for the sub-categories to be often used.

Weren't there some homosexual Renaissance authors/poets?

There are sites geared toward attracting writers of both types of gay literature, some are smutty, but if you look around you can usually find some helpful stuff...

[Nightshade]

The thing is I kind of get the impression the man was looking for a "normal/ordinary"** book that just happened to be aimed at a gay audiance.


** by normal and ordinary I mean as in general fiction mostly comic fluff, or those moving works things modern light reads? -- what yud find filed under General fiction in a public libraray.

Thanks BTW :D

[Xamonas Chegwe]

Clive Barker - author of horror classics such as "The Hellbound Heart" (Filmed as Hellraiser) and Candyman (also filmed) - is as screaming a queen as you could hope to meet (or avoid! :D)

[Scheherazade]

How about Woolf, Somerset Maugham, Truman Capote and du Maurier?

Like you suggested Night, Colour Purple has some elements in it. Also:

Orlando
Rebecca

[kimpossible]

Mary Oliver?

chmpman mentioned Ginsburg, but what about Burroughs?

[Pensive]

How about Woolf, Somerset Maugham, Truman Capote and du Maurier?

Like you suggested Night, Colour Purple has some elements in it. Also:

Orlando
Rebecca

Oh yeah Rebecca is a good one, haven't read anyother gay/lesbian novel as far as I can recall

[RobinHood3000]

What about Horatio Alger? I can't remember why, but for some reason, I have a recollection of him being gay...

[Nightshade]

Horatio Alger? as in Jr??
No Those arent gay, the boy usually gets the girl at the end of the few where there is a girl.
Anyway thanks everyone


:D:D

[Scheherazade]

Too late, Night! No amount of thanks will stop us now that you posted a thread asking for help! The thread will be revived time and time again even after years and we will post other authors and books we remember! :D Too late!

Middlesex is a very interesting book, dealing with sexual identity as well.

[Jay]

Sarah Waters (Tipping The Velvet, Affinity, Fingersmith and The Night Watch)
Ali Smith (Free Love, Like, Other Stories and Other Stories, Hotel World)

[Nightshade]

Too late, Night! No amount of thanks will stop us now that you posted a thread asking for help! The thread will be revived time and time again even after years and we will post other authors and books we remember! :D Too late!

Middlesex is a very interesting book, dealing with sexual identity as well.
Right then I here by say I will not be thanking anymore in this thread.

[River]

For all you straight people, that stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, queer. Although queer is basically a summary of GLBT. Anyway, if anyone has read any literature of that sort, tell us what you thought. It's not just for gay people! Gay literature can really give you a good insight into a lifestyle that you may not understand.

I would recommend Ann Bannon, who pioneered the Lesbian Pulp Fiction era of the late 50's and early 60's, to anyone interested in lesbian literature.

[Bakiryu]

I usually read GLBT manga and comics. Books are a bit hard to find but then I'm a GLBT writer myself. Working on my first book.

[LadyWentworth]

Well, I am not a lesbian (except if I could've had a mad, passionate affair with Ava Gardner!! :D ), but I have watched tons of films and read loads of books with GLBT characters. I read/watch these stories because they are GOOD STORIES.

One book that is #4 in my Top 5 of all-time is Maurice by E.M. Forster. I first read it when I was only 12. I LOVED IT!! It gives you insight on how people were treated in the early 20th century (not only gay people, but class differences). Along with that it is one of the most romantic stories ever written. For me it is at least. :) It wasn't published until 1971. GREAT and BEAUTIFUL novel. I just love it.

[River]

Lady Wentworth, do tell us about more of the books you read, I'm looking for as many recommendations as possible. E.M. Forster is BRILLIANT.

[genoveva]

What do you mean by queer lit? Lit with queer issues in it, or lit written by queer authors? Dorothy Allison is highly recommended here! (Bastard out of Carolina- fiction)

[River]

What do you mean by queer lit? Lit with queer issues in it, or lit written by queer authors? Dorothy Allison is highly recommended here! (Bastard out of Carolina- fiction)

As far as I'm concerned, I'd like to get recommendations for any books which have queer lead characters. And sex. Lots of queer sex.

[ballb]

As far as I'm concerned, I'd like to get recommendations for any books which have queer lead characters. And sex. Lots of queer sex.

Try "Dead man in Deptford" by the late great Anthony Burgess. It is an account of the last days and death of Christopher Marlowe. Seems to meet most of your specified criteria. A great read to boot by an erudite and much missed author.

[Nightshade]

wait a second.... Im sure weve had this topic once before..well I should know I started it afer an enquiry I had.... yep here it was http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17537

will just note that the BIg Gay read books are more books that are written by GLBT authours than books of that nature.:D

[nebish]

River - William Burroughs and Kathy Acker are all you require...

[River]

River - William Burroughs and Kathy Acker are all you require...

Thank you, but could you be more specific? I'd like to know which Kathy Acker novel I should pick up first (as I rarely trust the reviewers on Amazon) and I couldn't find anything relevant by William Burroughs.

Nightshade, I was so confused when I opened the thread and it was something you had started. Lol. Anyway, thanks for merging them, keep the recomendations coming.

RANT: Why in God's name must homosexual authors feel the need to write about heterosexual people? What the hell do we know about about straight relationships? After all, when straight people write about gay relationships they sure as hell miss the mark by a mile. Are these authors afraid to be put in the infamous 'gay/lesbian cult fiction' genre?

First rule: WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW.

[ballb]

Oh, don`t forget "Moab Is My Washpot" by Stephen Fry. And "The Liar" by the same author.

[Dickens59]

Try City of Night by John Rechy and A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood. Both from the sixties. Also Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran. From the seventies. It happens to be my favorite book.