RogueLurker
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- Joined
- Oct 11, 2005
- Posts
- 2,919
Hi all,
After reading yet another disappointing lesbian novel (Amazon reviews lie!), I'm starting to wonder if there are decent books available or if people are so intent on reading a book featuring lesbian characters that they are willing to give up style, substance and storyline. There comes a point where I want to read a book that is well thought out, with an intelligent plot, engaging characters and some substance to them.
Now, don't get me wrong .. I've read lots of Naid (Lesbian version of Harlequins) and other pulp or formula-type books. Unfortunately, the number of bad ones outnumber the good ones ... and there is a distressing tendency to find Xena/Gabrielle inspired characters in just about everyone that I've picked up recently. And in some cases, stories that I've read online here at Lit are better written than what is availble on bookshelves. I understand that there is a market for these books, but I would like to expand my reading and find other authors/stories that feature GLBT characters.
So, I'm starting this thread to promote the best of GLBT books. I'd be interested in reading well written and interesting books featuring lebian, gay, bi or transgendered characters as well.
To start things off, I'll throw a couple of recommendations out (summaries stolen from Amazon
):
Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters
"With a title that's a euphemism for cunnilingus and a plot awash with graphic lesbian sex, this lush tale fearlessly and feverishly exposes the political, social and sexual subversions of Victorian-era gender-benders: sapphists, libertines and passing women. Set in 1890s London against a backdrop of music halls and socialist demonstrations, Waters's debut (published to acclaim in England) is an engrossing story of a "tommish" woman battered and buoyed by the mores of the times."
This was an excellent read. Sarah Waters has two other books set in this time frame (Affinity and Fingersmith) and her newest novel (Nightwatch) is based in England during the 1940s.
The BBC made a three part miniseries based on this novel and another one based on Fingersmith.
Slow River, Nicola Griffith
"Slow River won both the Nebula Award and the Lambda Literary Award for author Nicola Griffith. The book's near-future setting and devices place it firmly on the science fiction shelves, and the characters' matter-of-fact sexuality further label it as lesbian SF. But make no mistake, Slow River is no subgenre throwaway. Griffith's skill at weaving temporal threads through the plot bring protagonist Lore van de Oest to tragic life, and you will genuinely care about her in the end."
An absolutely fascinating science fiction novel that focuses on the characters more than the science. Nicola Griffith has a beautiful style of writing and her blending of past and present storylines is superb.
The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
"First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own."
There are only hints and undertones of lesbianism in this book, but it has to be one of the most suspense-filled books I read when I was young. Strongly recommend it if you want a good scare.
This book was adapted into The Haunting (1963) which I would also recommend. Do not watch the remake.
After reading yet another disappointing lesbian novel (Amazon reviews lie!), I'm starting to wonder if there are decent books available or if people are so intent on reading a book featuring lesbian characters that they are willing to give up style, substance and storyline. There comes a point where I want to read a book that is well thought out, with an intelligent plot, engaging characters and some substance to them.
Now, don't get me wrong .. I've read lots of Naid (Lesbian version of Harlequins) and other pulp or formula-type books. Unfortunately, the number of bad ones outnumber the good ones ... and there is a distressing tendency to find Xena/Gabrielle inspired characters in just about everyone that I've picked up recently. And in some cases, stories that I've read online here at Lit are better written than what is availble on bookshelves. I understand that there is a market for these books, but I would like to expand my reading and find other authors/stories that feature GLBT characters.
So, I'm starting this thread to promote the best of GLBT books. I'd be interested in reading well written and interesting books featuring lebian, gay, bi or transgendered characters as well.
To start things off, I'll throw a couple of recommendations out (summaries stolen from Amazon
):Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters
"With a title that's a euphemism for cunnilingus and a plot awash with graphic lesbian sex, this lush tale fearlessly and feverishly exposes the political, social and sexual subversions of Victorian-era gender-benders: sapphists, libertines and passing women. Set in 1890s London against a backdrop of music halls and socialist demonstrations, Waters's debut (published to acclaim in England) is an engrossing story of a "tommish" woman battered and buoyed by the mores of the times."
This was an excellent read. Sarah Waters has two other books set in this time frame (Affinity and Fingersmith) and her newest novel (Nightwatch) is based in England during the 1940s.
The BBC made a three part miniseries based on this novel and another one based on Fingersmith.
Slow River, Nicola Griffith
"Slow River won both the Nebula Award and the Lambda Literary Award for author Nicola Griffith. The book's near-future setting and devices place it firmly on the science fiction shelves, and the characters' matter-of-fact sexuality further label it as lesbian SF. But make no mistake, Slow River is no subgenre throwaway. Griffith's skill at weaving temporal threads through the plot bring protagonist Lore van de Oest to tragic life, and you will genuinely care about her in the end."
An absolutely fascinating science fiction novel that focuses on the characters more than the science. Nicola Griffith has a beautiful style of writing and her blending of past and present storylines is superb.
The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
"First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own."
There are only hints and undertones of lesbianism in this book, but it has to be one of the most suspense-filled books I read when I was young. Strongly recommend it if you want a good scare.
This book was adapted into The Haunting (1963) which I would also recommend. Do not watch the remake.
Last edited:
. I'll defiinitely mention you.
