GBLT Literature

[tokiohoteluk]

Thought we might as well start this thread, eh Kraig?

Right, some of the best gay books out there IMO:

As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann - quite possibly one of the best books in the world. It's historical fiction, it's gay fiction, it's heart breaking fiction. I cannot recommend this enough. It has a lot of mature themes and it's NOT an easy read, but it's undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read. Bearing in mind, my very favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, I don't say this lightly. It's about the relationship between two men that meet as soldiers in the Civil War. It can also be read as an analogy for the political situation in 17th century England.

Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx - I read this short story before the movie was even thought of. It's incredible and if you saw the movie and liked it, you will love the short story more. It's more powerful, shocking and it's quite possibly one of the best short stories written. I think everyone knows this story? LOL.

The Frontrunner by Patricia Nell Warren - if you are looking for a starter 'gay' novel, you can't get better than this. It's not a difficult book to read and it covers almost everything you'd expect from a 'gay' book. It's heart breaking (as all good gay novels are) and ground breaking. Historically, it was one of the first mainstream gay novels. You have to remember that when you read it because the period is obvious, it's not high quality writing, but it's heartfelt and very special. There's a script floating around Hollywood and I would love to see it made into a movie. It's about a young gay man who is a runner that starts a relationship with his coach.

The Persian Boy by Mary Renault - if you like historical fiction (like me!) this is quite an outstanding novel. It's part of a trilogy about Alexander the Great, but I read it as a stand alone novel and it works perfectly as one. It's about Alexander's relationship with a eunuch called Bagoas. It's one of those that will catch in your throat. It's passionate and beautiful and set to a back drop of battle and meyhem.

That's all for now as I've got Razzle arriving shortly. LOL. But, I want any recs if anyone has any and I can rec more if anyone wants. Like I said - I know a lot (though there are massive gaps in my knowledge and I haven't read anything in some time.)

Claire x

[liz]

I read Brokeback Mountain after seeing the film. I`m glad I read it after. I loved the film, but I always enjoy a book more, so I usually feel disappointed if I read something first! Anyway, agreed - fabulous read! Brave and powerful.

My offering, the Boudica series by Manda Scott - the book is mainly about the life of Boudica and the Roman invasion. It`s fiction, with a historical backdrop. But there is a wonderful relationship within the story, between Boudica`s young brother ( who is captured and taken to Rome as a slave ) and a Roman soldier. It spans across years - following them into their 40`s, and it`s inspiring, heartbreaking, tragic ... The whole series are the most awesome books I have ever read in my life. I highly reccomend them.

[HomosexualGuitar]

I read Brokeback Mountain. I just wondered how the hell such a short story could be made into a 2 hour long movie! Damn good though XD I'll always remember Mr Ledger for it.

So here's the books I've read that I remember:

Boy Meets Boy - OMG, best teen gay book ever. XD Its funny and sweet and written in a sort of... aloof way. I only noticed the last time I read it that is was written in present tense. Like 'he says' instead of 'he said'. It has the best characters too. Its told from the POV of a guy called Paul, and is basically about his relationship with a guy called Noah and the ups and downs of it. It's not entirely angsty or heart breaking, but you do get a little involved XD

Rainbow Boys - First in a trilogy, though I've only read the first one. Its about the lives of three boys. One is openly and flambouyantly gay. The other is gay but in the closet, who is the first dude's friend. And the last is just finding out about his sexuality, and ends up telling his girlfriend he's bi, but she breaks up with him. The second and third dude end up getting together. And we find out about their lives too, like one has awkwardly accepting parents, one has an abusive father and one has a mother who is in PFLAG!

Someone Like Me - Takes place in the made-up 'Mall of the Universe'. There's loads of different people and is one of the only ones I've read that includes a straight guy who acts gay XD Who is pure awesome. Its mainly centered about one guy, who is trying to break away from being a toyboy for the mall-owner's son. I really like the main chica Vienna, and her best friend Davii.

And I'll post more when I can get on my LJ and find my reviews of the books XD



Kraig-x

[THkidd]

ARGH.
im actually really annoyed!
i remember reading this amazing book... the books second main theme was about being gay, but its a good read for everyone, it was the first book i read with any gay element in it, and i think this is also a good gay book to start with even if its not mainly gay... if i remember i promise to post it!!
anyhu, while im here ima post a link to a gay movie- kiddiestuffatthemovies.blogspot.com/2007/12/but-im-cheerleader.html
sorry i know its not a book but i thought i might rec it?

x

[Mistress Snowy aka Yuki-sama]

Aah, Brokeback Mountain. That actually inspired one of my fanfictions! I haven't read the short story though, and I've only seen the film once.

[HomosexualGuitar]

I think the short story is somewhere on the internet. Just Google it and you should be able to read it =]

I don't have the book anymore cause it was originally a gift for a friend, i just read it before I gave it to her XD


Another book I read recently was called Three Fortunes One Cookie (or something like that. The basic plot is of a guy who moved away from home at 18 to New York, and after 5 years his rich grandfather pursuades him to come back to take care of his 'crazy' mother while he's in China. It also revolves around three fortune cookies he picks up after he walks out on a meal with friends and his sort-of boyfriend. From there he meets a cool Irish lad called Kieran (who I just loved from the start cause of his name XD), and retraces his childhood steps back home.

Its kinda cliché, but its a damn good one. There's an unexpected twist when on of Philip's (our main dude) friends, Bunny, commits suicide. I honestly cried at that (kinda because I was in a crying mood already but eh, it was right sad cause you didn't expect it). There's a moment before Philip goes back home though where he's in bed with his straight friend Carlos and Kieran gets the wrong idea and storms out. But Carlos and Kieran come back when they have to tell Philip about Bunny, thus the whole getting back together thing ensues.

There's a lot I can't really explain, buts its a damn good book. It has a happy ending, of course. When Kieran has to go back to Belfast cause his Visa runs out, Philip goes to see him.


XD Yeah, long review-thing but I loved that book.




Kraig-x

[Mistress Snowy aka Yuki-sama]

Thanks Kraig! *huggle*

[THkidd]

oh btw, what does GBLT stand for?
im guessing Gay British Literature? or something... =S
TEHE =P

[redsnuffle]

LOL
Exactly what I was trying to figure out!
=P

[HomosexualGuitar]

XD GBLT stands for Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian and Transgender. To me it sounds like a sandwich. I thought everyone knew what it stood for.

But its also put LGBT or GLBT too.




Kraig-x

[THkidd]

OH, that was pretty obvious.... *feels stupid* lol!
welll.... thanks kraig! [=

[Skye.]

yeah i thought it was like BLT
LOL
im such a fool
and thanks for the recommendations my reading has become non-exsistent since harry potter ended so i best go out their and get some of these books
^_^

[HomosexualGuitar]

I totally rec Boy Meets Boy by David Leviathan. Its just so... perfect for us XD




Kraig-x

[Kiah[TH<3]]

Ooh, i will have to find some of these....

But now i feel like discussing normal literature......-goes off to makes thread-
There isn't one already, is there? =S

[Romana]

I read a book about a lesbian girl, but she turns straight in the end and she has massive boobs, and this guy fancies her and she goes wigth him in the end, and theres a straight girl in there who puts chicken breast slices in her bra in a bag to make her tits look big...
forgotten the book name..