Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia of National Themes (in two volumes)
This controversial play has won numerous awards, including the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the 1993 Tony award. It is set during the early Plague (AIDS) years in October 1985 to February 1990, and captures the fear and anger of many in the Gay community during that period. Several plots evolve simultaneously. Prior Walter, a Gay man with AIDS, who has been abandoned by his lover, begins to see angles and ghosts. Louis Ironson, his ex-lover, has an affair with Joe Pitt, a married, Republican Mormon. Roy Cohen, a New York and Washington power-broker, also has AIDS and uses his influence to obtain a hoard of then experimental AZT. It touches on many issues other than AIDS, including religion, racism, anti-Semitism, political intolerance, political corruption, and medical ethics.
The Berlin Stories. by Christopher Isherwood; New Directions Books, New York, 1963. (ISBN 0-8112-0070-1)
Christopher Isherwood was an expatriate British intellectual, college professor, and prolific writer, who also wrote A Single Man below. This volume contains two related novels, The Last of Mr. Norris and Goodbye to Berlin, first published in 1935 and 1939 respectively, and published together in this form since 1963. The two stories contain common locations and characters, based upon the author's experiences living in Berlin from 1929 to 1933. Furthermore, events and characters from these stories were adapted to form the basis of the Broadway musical and 1972 film Cabaret. While considered a classic of Gay literature, the Gay themes are often a bit subtle or veiled for contemporary readers, and often require reading between the lines. In The Last of Mr. Norris, William Bradshaw, the narrator, relates a tale of blackmail and political intrigue. A notable character is Baron von Pregnitz, (also known as Kuno,) who is a manacle wearing, aristocratic, German government official, and also a closeted Gay man. In Goodbye to Berlin, Christopher Isherwood himself narrates a tale about the rise of the Nazi oppression. Of note in this novel is the relationship between Otto Nowak and Peter Wilkinson. Otto is a working class German youth, who uses his physical attractiveness to freeload off of both men and women rather than earn an honest wage. Peter Wilkinson, an Englishman living in Berlin, is infatuated with Otto. Otto lives with Peter and takes his money, but also deliberately flaunts his affairs with women to make Peter jealous.
Boys Like Us. by Peter McGehee; Harper Perennial, Toronto, 1991. (ISBN 0-00-647150-1)
This is a humorous, but also thoughtful and timely novel about Zero MacNoo, a Gay man with AIDS who lives in Toronto, the infidelity and instability of relationships between his friends there, and his visit to his home town in Arkansas for his divorced Mother's wedding.
A Boy's Own Story. by Edmund White; Vintage Books, New York, 1982.(ISBN 0-375-70740-9)
Edmund White was a member of the Violet Quill, an organization dedicated to the creation of a new “Gay Literature” for the post -Stonewall period. He is also author of Nocturnes for the King of Naples below. This novel is the first of a trilogy, in which each novel describes a Gay man at various stages of his life. The complete series is #1 A Boy's Own Story, #2 The Beautiful Room is Empty, and #3 The Farewell Symphony. This artistically crafted novel thoughtfully describes the adolescence of a nameless, Gay narrator in the 1950's. Structurally, the chapters are arranged in order to reveal progressively deeper layers of his psyche, rather than chronologically. The narrator is a lonely, sensitive, studious, and un-athletic youth, who longs to be liked and loved by men around him. He lives in constant fear that his mannerisms or speech will expose him as a "sissy" or nerd, yet he is unable to properly affect masculinity. His social climbing father divorces his mother, who dotes upon him, while his older sister takes every opportunity to crush his self-esteem. As he becomes aware that he is Gay, he searches through various religions, dabbles in Eastern mysticism, and undergoes psychoanalysis to try to "cure" himself. Most Gay readers will easily relate to his High School experiences, including but not limited to his fascination with an older diva; a crush on a popular, athletic, male classmate; a crush on a teacher; and a forced attempt to date a girl in order to become straight. This book extremely well documents the conflicting feelings, guilt, and self-loathing a typical Gay youth goes through as he becomes aware of his nature.
Brideshead Revisited. by Evelyn Waugh; Backbay Books, Boston, 1999.(ISBN 0-316-92634-5)
Evelyn Waugh was a prolific author, whose works included fourteen novels and numerous works of non-fiction. This novel, often held to be his best, was first published in 1945 and is considered to be a Twentieth Century Classic, as well as a Gay Classic. It was adapted into a popular and critically acclaimed television mini-series in 1981, which aired on PBS several times in the early 1980's. This mini-series was one of television's first non-judgmental depictions of homoerotic relationships, an openly homosexual character, and a 1930's Gay Bar in London. It is also worth noting that while it is a social satire that deals with complex social issues and advocates a return to traditional values and religious faith, yet it seems to accept homosexuality without judging it. The plot is told as a first person narrative from the point of view of Captain Charles Ryder, an artist turned British officer during World War II. He recalls the events of his life from his student days at Oxford in the 1920's, to just before the war. While in college, he had a loving and essentially homoerotic (but not explicitly sexual,) relationship with his eccentric drinking buddy, Lord Sebastian Flyte. People seemed to think that Charles and Sebastian are lovers, including Sebastian's father's mistress, and on a separate occasion, two girls they meet in a tavern. Another of their classmates and associates is Anthony Blanche, a blatantly open and self confessed "invert," who has personally known Proust, Firbank, Gide, and other well known Gay men and Lesbians of that time. Some ten years latter, Charles has an adulterous affair with Sebastian's sister Julia, who closely resembles Sebastian, and confesses to having loved him. Sebastian goes on to have a close relationship with a German named Kurt who he meets in Morocco. Anthony also takes Charles to a Gay Bar in London called the Blue Grotto Club. Since it also deals with alcoholism, religion, and marriage, this book would probably be a non-threatening book to add to academic reading lists.
City of Night. by John Rechy; Grove Press, New York, 1988. (ISBN 0-8021-3083-6)
This novel, which was first published in 1963, documents the narrator's journey to self awareness during his exodus through the Gay underworld of Pre-Stonewall America. After he is discharged from the army, he wanders through New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New Orleans. Many historic cruising locations are described. He encounters many characters whose behaviors and traits will seem all too familiar even today. While the drag queens aspired to femininity, the leather men and male hustlers assumed a contrived, hyper-masculine facade. Many feigned indifference to conceal their vulnerability and loneliness. They placed a premium on youth, and its loss was mourned. Some used hedonism or denial to escape their feelings of self-loathing and guilt. Some relationships were based upon both parties attempting to exploit each other. Photographs were treasured after the lover was lost.
Closer. by Dennis Cooper; Grove Press, New York, 1989. (ISBN 0-8021-3212-X)
Dennis Cooper is a controversial Gay intellectual, author, and poet. This novel is the first of a collection of five related novels that have become cult classics within some younger members of the Gay Community. These novels in order are: (1) Closer, (2) Frisk, (3) Try, (4) Guide, (5) Period. Collectively, these novels represent a stark, cynical, and postmodern worldview, with repeated motifs of punk rockers, sadomasochism, and sexual exploitation/objectification without love. This novel is set in the late 1980's, in an affluent urban or suburban area, where many of the characters attend an unnamed High school together. The central character is George Miles, a Gay teenager who is very attractive and yet entirely sexually submissive.
Closet Case. by Robert Rodi; Plume, New York, 1994. (ISBN 0-452-27211-4)
Robert Rodi is an openly Gay man, an advertising executive in Chicago, and the author of numerous humorous novels about Gay characters. This is a light, humorous, fun, little novel. The plot is about Lionel Frank, who is a closeted, Gay, advertising executive in Chicago, during the early 1990's. While essentially light in tone, it deals with well with the paralyzing, neurotic self-consciousness of being closeted as an adult, trying to appear straight. Lionel buries himself in his carrier to avoid having to answer to his family about his lack of social activity. Lionel normally drinks light beer, but orders regular beer when with coworkers to keep them from knowing that he cares about his weight, because he believes that straight men never care about their appearance. Those native to Chicago will appreciate how the author has incorporated his first hand knowledge of the geography of Chicago, its suburbs, and the North Halstead strip (a.k.a. "Boy's town.")
Concerning the Eccentricities of Cardinal Pirelli. by Ronald Firbank; in
Valmouth and Other Stories.by Ronald Firbank; Wordsworth Editions Limited,
Hertfordshire, U.K., 1996. (ISBN 1-85326-295-1)
This extremely fun, comic novella was first published in 1926 by Ronald Firbank, one of the few openly homosexual writers at that time in England, who had ironically converted to Catholicism. The plot centers around a Spanish Cardinal, Don Alvaro Narciso Pirelli, Cardinal Archbishop of Clemenza. Cardinal Pirelli indulges the whims of his more aristocratic parishioners, enjoys visiting bars "disguised" as a woman, and has crushes on alter-boys and choir-boys. Furthermore, he is the center of a plot to expose him by Monsignor Silex who has bribed the Cardinal's housekeeper to spy on him.
Confessions of a Mask. by Yukio Mishima (translated by Meredith Weatherby); New Directions Publishing Corporation, New York, 1958. (ISBN 0-8112-0118-X)
Yukio Mishima was an extremely influential twentieth century, Japanese author. He is also the author of Forbidden Colors below. This was his second novel, and was originally published in Japanese, under the title Kamen No Kokuhaku, in 1949. It is considered a classic of contemporary Japanese fiction, and was one of the first Japanese novels to openly address homosexuality. It is a first person narrative, the narrator of which is only addressed as Kochan. He relates details of his early childhood, including a fascination with various working class men and soldiers, use of a picture of Saint Sebastian as pornography, and also a crush upon and desire to emulate Omi, an older classmate in grade school. Before he is aware that he is actually Gay, his is aware that he is different and that he needs to maintain a facade of normalcy. The majority of the text deals with his ill-fated attempt to court his friend's sister, Sonoko, against the backdrop of Tokyo during the last year of World War II, and his own turbulent realization of being Gay. While there are some Japanese cultural elements in the book, most of the dominant themes are universally Gay and Gay men around the world can relate to the narrator.
The Counterfeiters. by Andre Gide; (translated by Dorthy Bussy;) Vintage Books, New York, 1973. (ISBN 0-394-71842-9)
Andre Gide, was a prominent French intellectual, an associate of Oscar Wilde, and the first openly Gay man to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, which he received in 1947. He was also author of The Immoralist below. This novel was first published in 1925, in French, under the title Les Faux Monnayeurs. The principle character is an author know only as Edouard X. Upon returning to Paris after a long absence, Edouard attempts to pick up a student in a book store, only to discover that the student is his nephew, George Molinier. Edouard then becomes involved with three plots, each associated with one of his half sister's three sons. George, the youngest, is involved in a gang of juvenile delinquents. Oliver Molinier, the middle son, develops an idealistic crush upon his uncle Edouard. Vincent, the eldest, who has just finished medical school, is romantically involved with a Laura Douviers, who is a married woman and was Edouard's childhood friend. In addition, Bernard Profitendieu, Oliver's friend and classmate becomes Edouard's secretary and makes Oliver jealous. As a result, Oliver becomes the secretary (and possibly a bit more,) to the only actually openly Gay character in the book, Comte Robert de Passavant. The homosexual content is a bit subtle by modern standards, and requires a certain amount of reading between the lines. Aside for the portrayal of an openly Gay man, its also explores the homoerotic characteristics of schoolboy's cliques, and also the adolescent boys idealistic crushes on older men.
Cry to Heaven. by Anne Rice; Ballantine Books, New York, 1992. (ISBN 0-345-39693-6)
Anne Rice is better known for her best selling, gothic-horror novels. She wrote this meticulously researched, non-horror, historical fiction novel in 1982. It is a dark, brooding, and erotic inquiry into the nature of gender. Set in the decadent and Machiavellian world of eighteenth century Italy, it traces the early life and career of Tonio Treschi (Marc Anthony Treschi), a castrati opera singer from an Aristocratic Venetian family. Tonio is physically beautiful and has a voice coveted by other singers. He is a respected master swordsman, but can also pass as a seductive young woman in public. He performs in both male and female costume in the opera, and plays either gender role in his romantic dalliances with powerful men and women.
Dancer from the Dance. by Andrew Holleran; Plume, New York, 1978. (ISBN 0-452-26129-5)
Andrew Holleran, a Harvard graduate, was a member of the Violet Quill, an organization dedicated to the creation of a new "Gay Literature" for the post-Stonewall period. This book has been extremely influential, and its sequels include #2 Nights in Aruba, and #3 The Beauty of Men. In this book, Anthony Malone leaves his promising law career to spend ten years looking for true love in the lonely, superficial, nihilistic, and hedonistic world of the Manhattan and Fire Island party circuit in the 1970's. Aiding him on his quest, and to some extent exploiting him, is Andrew Sutherland, the archetypical urban, cynical, witty, older Gay man. Aside from being a reflection on some problems within the Gay community, it also well documents its era.
Death in Venice. by Thomas Mann; (Translated by Clayton Koelb;) W.W. Norton and Company, New York, 1994. (ISBN 0-393-96013-7)
This novella by Nobel Prize winning author Thomas Mann was first published in 1911 in German, under the title Der Tod in Venedig. Furthermore, in 1999, the Publishing Triangle ranked it as number one in their list of the top 100 Gay books of all time, published in the June 22nd, 1999 issue of the Advocate. In this tale, Gustav von Auschenbach, a respected author and pillar of his community goes on vacation in Venice, where a closeted Cholera outbreak is being concealed to prevent hurting the tourist business. There, he becomes infatuated with and essentially begins to stalk Tadzio, a Polish youth who is staying with his family in the same hotel.
A Density of Souls. by Christopher Rice; Hyperion Books, New York, 2000. (ISBN 0-7868-6646-2)
Christopher Rice is the son of the Anne Rice, author of Cry to Heaven above, and the poet Stan Rice. This novel is set in New Orleans and the surrounding area. It traces the lives of four friends beginning High School in 1992, into the middle of their college days in 1997. These four friends are: Meredith Ducote, who becomes the homecoming queen; Greg Darby and Brandon Charbonnet, who become football stars; and Stephen Conlin, an intelligent, sensitive, and artistic Gay teenager "out"-ed while still in High school and the victim of homophobic abuse. Several simultaneous plots operate within the book, including a mystery and two separate conspiracies. It explores how internalized homophobia can lead to some people to self-destructive behavior, and others to criminally antisocial behavior. The character of Stephen is particularly interesting in that he is more like an actual Gay teenager, complete with the issues and limitations of a person his age, unlike most other portrayals of Gay teenagers as essentially adult Gay men living with their parents. Period specific cultural references, such as models of automobiles and names of bands popular in the 1990s, make this book more accessible to young people than the de-facto standard 1970's Greenwich Village/Fire Island literature.
Edward the Second. by Christopher Marlowe; in
Christopher Marlowe: The Complete Plays. by Christopher Marlowe; Penguin Books,
London/New York, 1986. (ISBN 0-14-043037-7)
Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare, wrote this tragic play circa 1592, and it is believed to contain the first sympathetic depiction of a same sex romance in the English language. It was adapted into an independent film of the same title in 1992. This play recalls the reign and death of Edward II, king of England from 1307-1327 AD. After his coronation, King Edward neglected his wife and regal duties, and cavorted about with his boyfriend Gaveston. Furthermore, he made Gaveston an Earl, and gave him several important offices, alienating himself from the aristocracy.
Entertaining Mr. Sloane. by Joe Orton; in
Joe Orton: The Complete Plays. by Joe Orton; Grove Press, New York, 1990. (ISBN 0-8021-3215-4)
Joe Orton was a Gay, British author and play write, whose promising career was tragically ended when he was murdered in 1967. His work was known for its portrayal of the absurd in social situations, irreverence, and gallows humor. This short, comic play was first performed in 1964, and was adapted into a film of the same title in 1970. The title character is a very attractive young man, who is also a ruthless criminal. Upon moving into a boarding house, his landlady, Kath immediately becomes infatuated with him. Her brother Ed, a wealthy business tycoon and also closeted Gay man, also develops a crush on him, and hires him to be his chauffer. Sloane attempts to exploit both of them as they compete for his attention, and absurd high jinks and plot twists ensue.
Eustace Chisholm And The Works. by James Purdy; GMP Publishers, London, 1967. (ISBN 0-907040-33-0 )
James Purdy is a graduate of the University of Chicago, a playwright, the author of over 15 books, and was one of the first American authors to be openly identified as Gay. This novel takes place in the depression era of the late 1930's, in the poverty stricken South Side of Chicago and at the Camp Biloxi Mississippi. Eustace Chisholm, also known as "Ace", is an impoverished, failed poet living on the South side of Chicago, who likes to flaunt his homosexual infidelities in his wife Carla's face. Some of his friend and associates are involved in a strange and tragic love triangle. Amos Ratcliff, also known as "Rat", is a young man who has had to drop out of college due to financial problems. Amos has a crush on his landlord, Daniel Haws. Daniel is also in love with Amos, but can't admit it to himself. Reuben Masterson is a powerful Millionaire, who has an infatuation with Amos. Add to this equation Captain Stadger, a sadistic Army officer. Gay issues addressed include: Gays in the military; police harassment of Gays; closeted Gay socialites, homosexual crushes; self-destructive internalized homophobia, and married Gay men. Non-Gay specific social issues raised include: racism, Syphilis, abortion, and poverty. Furthermore, the novel has some supernatural elements and a very disturbing, semi-Gothic climax.
Faggots. by Larry Kramer; Grove Press, New York, 1978. (ISBN 0-8021-3691-5)
Larry Kramer is an award winning screenwriter, playwright, novelist, and Gay rights activist, who co-founded Gay Men's Health Crisis and Act Up. Two years prior to the coming of the AIDS epidemic, Larry Kramer wrote this novel criticized the New York City and Fire Island Gay scenes as hedonistic and both physically and emotionally unhealthy for their participants. In particular, the depiction of promiscuity, drug abuse, exploitation, superficiality, and emotional detachment are disturbing. Hence while some critics praised this book for its truth and insight, others either dismissed it as a satire, or treated it as a personal attack. This complex novel has dozens of characters and several subplots over a four-day period, starting in New York City and reaching their final climaxes on Memorial Day Weekend at the Fire Island Pines. The principle plot traces the quest of Fred Lemish, a 39-year-old Gay screenwriter, who has recently attainted excellent physical condition, and who wants to be in a committed relationship by his fortieth birthday, which is four days away. The apple of Fred's eye is a landscaper named Dinky Adams, who has no intention of ever being monogamous. This book is also an excellent source for Gay slang, including an explanation of the "Hanky Codes" given on page 33.
The Family of Max Desir. by Robert Ferro; Plume, New York, 1984. (ISBN 0-452-26015-9)
This author, Robert Ferro, was a member of the Violet Quill, an organization dedicated to the creation of a new "Gay Literature" for the post-Stonewall period. This novel about the life of Max Desir, his coming to terms with his sexuality, and the relationships between him, his family, and his lover.
Father of Frankenstein. by Christopher Bram; Plume, New York, 1995. (ISBN 0-452-27337-4)
Christopher Bram is considered one of the leading Gay authors of the nineteen nintiees and the author of seven novels. This work of Historic fiction speculates about the last days of James Whale, member of Hollywood’s underground Gay community and the director of such 1930’s films as Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, and The Invisible Man. This book itself served as the basis of the 1999 film, Gods and Monsters, staring Sir Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. After retiring, James Whale suffered a stroke which damaged his brain in such a way that he then lived in a confused state, constantly reliving his own past experiences, including growing up in poverty in England, the horrors he encountered as an officer in the trenches of the First World War, and the outer splendor and secret inner world of Hollywood during it’s golden age. Whale develops a fixation upon Clayton Boon, his yard man and ex-marine, who reminds him of the monster in Frankenstein. Whale then hatches a plan to provoke Boon into murdering him, providing his life with a final Gothic/Melodramatic climax. This book touches upon homophobia, regrets and thoughts when one is waiting for impending death, and the Gay aspects of theater and Hollywood.
Forbidden Colors. by Yukio Mishima (translated by Alfred H. Marks); Vintage Books, New York, 1999. (ISBN 0-375-70516-3)
Yukio Mishima was an extremely influential twentieth century, Japanese author. He was also the author of Confessions of a Mask above. This book was originally published in Japanese under the title Kinjiki, in 1951. This English translation was first published in 1968. This complex novel traces a few years in the life of Yuichi Minami (a.k.a. Yukan), a 23-year-old college student, who is being forced into an arranged marriage to Yusuko Segawa, a girl three years his junior. At this time, Yuichi has become increasingly aware that he is Gay, and his widowed mother is having severe health and financial problems. Shunsuke' Hinoki, an aged author with three failed marriages and ten failed love affairs, seeks revenge on women. Hinoki recruits Yuichi, who is extremely attractive, but who cannot love women, to be his instrument of revenge. Essentially, Hinoki gives Yukio a large sum of money, on the condition that he will break the hearts and ruin the marriages of women who have hurt him in the past. Furthermore, Yukio becomes involved in the Gay underworld of post-war Japan, with its intrigues, teashops, parties, street hustlers, wealthy sugar daddies, and diabolic blackmailers.
The Front Runner. by Patricia Nell Warren; Wildcat Books, Beverly Hills CA, 1994. (ISBN 0-9641099-6-4)
(This is the publisher and ISBN is for the 1994, twentieth anniversary edition.) This was the first Gay novel to be on the New York Times Best Seller List, has sold ten million copies, and has been translated into eight languages since it was first published in 1974. It is considered by many to be the most celebrated Gay love story ever. The plot centers around Billy Sive, a Gay college athlete and his coach and lover Harlan Brown. They fall in love, and struggle to get Billy into the Montreal Olympics in 1976, where tragic events happen. Sequels to this book include Harlan's Race (1994) and Billy's Boy (1997).
Giovanni's Room. by James Baldwin; Dell Publishing, New York, 1988. (ISBN 0-440-32881-0)
This book was first published in 1956, and was one of the first English language novels to have a Gay main character. James Baldwin, the author was a leading Afro-American intellectual and civil rights leader at the time, authored seventeen books, and was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, Partisan Review Fellowship, and a National Institute of Arts and Letters Award. This book was so influential, that one of the first Gay bookstores in America, which opened in 1973 in Philadelphia, was named "Giovanni's Room," after its title. The plot centers around David, an American living in Paris, who is engaged to Hella, an American girl. While Hella visits Spain, David remains in Paris, and has an affair and moves in with an Italian bartender, Giovanni. A reference is made to Jean Genet, (see Our Lady of the Flowers below) and themes include role-playing, alienation from one's father, ageism, and self-deception and denial.
A Home at the End of the World. by Michael Cunningham; Picador USA, New York, 1990. (ISBN 0-312-20231-8)
Michael Cunningham has won many awards, most notably the Pulitzer Prize, and the Lambda Literary Award. This intelligent, sensitive, complex, and somewhat poignant novel is written as an interleaving of four first person narratives, and captures the spirit of relationships in the 1980's. Jonathan Glover, a closeted Gay teenager in Cleveland has a crush on his friend Bobby Morrow. After college, he moves to New York and lives with Claire Rollins, and women ten years his senior. Latter, Bobby moves in with them New York, and becomes involved with Claire, who soon becomes pregnant. The three of them try to form a non-traditional family, and move near Woodstock in Upstate New York to raise their daughter Rebecca. Themes include love without sex and sex without love, and also failing to live in the present by not letting go of the past but also waiting for the future. It also deals with Gay men raising children, and Gay men moving out of the urban Gay Ghettos.
Howl. by Allen Ginsberg; in
Howl and Other Poems. by Allen Ginsberg; City Lights Books, San Francisco,1956.
(ISBN 0-87286-017-5)
Allen Ginsberg was a controversial beat generation poet and early Gay Rights activist, and had been present at the Stonewall rebellion in 1969. In 1955, he was tried and acquitted on obscenity charges for reading this poem in public, which contains homoerotic imagery. When City Lights Books first published the poem in 1956, the ensuing trial for obscenity charges led to a landmark decision.
The Immoralist. by Andre' Gide; (translated by Richard Howard;) Vintage Books, New York, 1996. (ISBN 0-679-74191-7)
Andre Gide, was a prominent French intellectual, an associate of Oscar Wilde, and the first openly Gay man to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, which he received in 1947. He was also author of The Counterfeiters above. This controversial and highly criticized novella was first published in French under the title L'Immoraliste in 1902. It is considered to be an international classic of Gay literature. Michel is a young college professor, thrifty, responsible, conservative, and heir to a large estate. Having no romantic inclinations or interests, he has an arranged marriage to a young woman, Marceline. While traveling in the Middle East on their honeymoon, he comes down with tuberculosis and Marceline must nurse him back from deaths door. After his recovery he begins a quest to pursue beauty and pleasure in any form and at any cost, which quickly devolves into a hedonistic and self-centered race to destruction. He develops many new caprices, including a fascination with Arab boys and the farm workers on his estate. His ultimate homosexual experience occurs after the climax of the plot, although his earlier latent homosexuality will be obvious to modern readers.
Kiss of the Spider Woman. by Manuel Puig; (Translated by Thomas Colchie;) Vintage Books, New York, 1991. (ISBN 0-679-72449-4)
This international bestseller by the famous Argentinian writer Manuel Puig was first published in Spanish under the title El Beso De La Mujer Aran~a in 1976, and was also the basis of the 1985 film of the same name. The plot centers around two cell-mates in an Argentinian prison: Molina, a Gay man, and Valentin, a political revolutionary. Molina amuses Valentin by telling him vivid accounts of the movies he loves, and a relationship develops. A complex counterplot evolves, along with themes of love and exploitation.
Last Exit to Brooklyn. by Hubert Selby, Jr.; Grove Press, New York, 1988. (ISBN 0-8021-3137-9)
This collection of six novellas was first published in 1957. It graphically portrays the plight of the Urban dispossessed in 1950's Brooklyn. Two of the six stories have Gay main characters, and one character undergoes the process of discovering that he is Gay.
Leaves of Grass. by Walt Whitman; Bantam Books, New York, 1983. (ISBN 0-553-21116-1)
This is Walt Whitman's sole work, which was first published in 1855, but which went through numerous additions and revisions, up to the final 1892 "Deathbed" edition. This book of poetry is considered a staple of American literature. References to loving and kissing men, as well as instances of praising men's bodies abound throughout the text. Especially Gay passages include: The ‘bath' passage in part 3 of Song of Myself; The Calamus section in general, and in particular the poems "When I Heard at the Close of Day", "We Two Boys Together Clinging", and "To a Western Boy"; Part 1 of The Sleepers, and "Of Him I Love Day and Night" in the Whispers of Heavenly Death section.
Like People In History. by Felice Picano; Penguin Books, New York, 1995. (ISBN 0-14-024525-1)
Felice Picano participated in the Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village on June 28th, 1969, and was a founding of the Violet Quill, an organization dedicated to the creation of a new "Gay Literature" for the post Stonewall period. He is the author of fifteen books, and founder of Seahorse Press, the first East coast Gay publishing house. This entertaining and informative novel is a first person narrative, told by Roger Sansarc, a Gay man, successful author and history professor. The primary plot takes place in New York City in 1991, when Roger and his boyfriend Wally leave a 45th birthday party for Roger's second cousin, Alistair Dodge, who is dying of AIDS, in order to attend an Act Up demonstration. As the evening unfolds, Roger relates details of his and Alistair's lives to Wally, who is a college student and a belligerent activist. This series of flashbacks span a childhood in 1954 Long Island, teenage years in 1961 Los Angeles, Manhattan and Woodstock in 1969, 1974 San Francisco, 1979 Fire Island, up to the plague in 1985 New York City. Through the flashbacks Roger also tells Wally about his former lover, Matt Loguidice, who was decorated hero of the Vietnam War, poet, model, and AIDS victim. There is an excellent study in contrast between Roger who was middle class, discrete and considerate, and Alistair was patrician, flamboyant, and exploitive of those around him. Furthermore, the contrast between pre-AIDS Gay men (Roger) and Post-Aids Gay men (Wally) is also very well depicted. A great deal of historic detail is included, including references to many real life inhabitants of 1979 Fire Island, their parties, and songs to which they were dancing. Since the author himself lived through these events, which span forty years of the Gay rights movement, the historical content alone makes this novel a valuable resource. Furthermore, the sensitive and poignant treatment of the AIDS pandemic and its impact upon the characters is both artistic and emotionally touching.
Maurice. by E. M. Forster; W.W. Norton and Company, New York, 1971. (ISBN 0-393-31032-9)
E. M. Forster was one of the premier British novelists of the early twentieth century, and was also a closeted Gay man. He wrote this novel in 1913 and 1914, but it remained unpublished until 1971, one year after his death in 1970. This edition includes a terminal note he added in 1960. His intention was to write a novel about love between Gay men that had a happy ending. The plot traces the life of Maurice Hall, a typical British suburbanite, and his quest for love as a Gay man in Edwardian England, a society were being Gay was criminal. While in college at Cambridge, he becomes romantically involved with Clive Duhram, a landed member of the gentry. After graduation, their relationship continues as Maurice takes his place at his father's stock brokerage, and Clive becomes a lawyer. However, Clive eventually wants to marry and become involved in politics, and hence wants to be "just friends." To further complicate matters, Maurice becomes involved with a gamekeeper at Clive's estate, named Alec Scudder. The evolved themes include persecution (and prosecution), class differences, religious convictions and "Gay Guilt", self-loathing, and the desire to be loved. This book was also made into a film of the same title in 1987.
Memoirs of Hadrian. by Marguerite Yourcenar; (Translated by Grace Frick;) Noonday Press, New York, 1954. (ISBN 0-374-50348-6)
This book has been translated into 14 languages since it was first published in 1951, in French under the title Me'miores d'Hadrien. This English edition is in its thirteenth printing in 1999. This extremely well researched, historical novel is written in the first person, as a set of memoirs written by the Emperor Hadrian, (the Gay, Roman Emperor) to his successor Marcus Aurelius. He relates his entire military and political career. Furthermore, he chronicles his five year love affair with Antinous, the young, Greek, man whose untimely death he mourned until his own. Hadrian build a city, Anitoopolis, to his lovers memory, had coins minted with Antinous's image on them, and commissioned many statues and memorials to him. Many photographs of these works of art are included in this text.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. by John Berendt; Random House, New York, 1994. (ISBN 0-679-42992)
This novel was the winner of the Publishing Triangle's 1994 Ferro-Grumley Award, (named for Robert Ferro, author of The Family of Max Desir above,) and 1994 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery. It was also the basis for the 1997 film of the same title. Set in Savannah Georgia, this novel is based upon real people and true events surrounding the scandal that rocked the upper crust of Savannah society. Jim Williams, a successful Gay antique dealer, and member of Savannah's social elite, is accused of shooting a twenty one year old male street hustler. Due to homophobia and some old vendettas held against him, he becomes the only man in Georgia history to be tried four times for the same crime. The plot includes a Drag Queen, voodoo, multiple layers of conspiracy, corrupt political machinations and prosecutorial misconduct.
Myra Breckenridge. by Gore Vidal; in
Myra Breckenridge and Myron. by Gore Vidal; Vintage Books, New York, 1987.
(ISBN 0-394-75444-1)
Gore Vidal is an intellectual, author, screenwriter, political commentator, and cousin of former U.S. vice president Al Gore. This controversial, international best seller was first published in 1968. It was adapted to into a cult film of the same title in 1970, staring Mae West as Myra. Furthermore, the author wrote a sequel, Myron in 1974, which is also included in this volume. This novel depicts the exploits of Myra Breckenridge, a diabolic mastermind, femme fatale and film critic, who constantly quotes and praises the late film critic, Parker Tyler, coauthor of The Young and Evil below. Myra attempts to obtain her "late husband" Myron's share of his grandfather's estate from Myron's uncle, Buck Loner. Buck is a former "Singing Cowboy" type film star, who now runs an acting school in Los Angeles. Buck employs Myra as an instructor while his lawyers attempt to thwart her inheritance claims, but Myra has much bigger plans than just the estate. At one level it is a bawdy, comic novel. However, at a higher level, it investigates gender roles, self created identities, and the desire to control and dominate others in relationships.
Naked Lunch. by William S. Burroughs; Grove Press, New York, 1991. (ISBN 0-8021-3295-2)
Originally published in 1959, this is an infamously controversial book by beat generation author William S. Burroughs. Alan Ginsberg (author of Howl above,) testified at the Supreme Court Appeal on obscenity charges against this book. This offensive and bizarre novel was very influential because it was one of the first readily available texts in the United States to include references to homosexuality, drug abuse, and a number of other taboo topics. The central character is William Lee, who is very closely modeled upon the author. This is the novel in which the term "Interzone" was coined, and it chronicles the activities and conflicts of various denizens and factions therein, including the non-human Mugwumps. Also of note is the memorable character of Dr. Benway, the physician who also designs interrogation and torture techniques. The overall tone is paranoid. It was also the basis of the 1991 film of the same name.
Nocturnes for the King of Naples. by Edmund White; Saint Martin's Press, New York, 1978. (ISBN 0-312-02263-8)
The author, Edmund White, was a member of the Violet Quill, an organization dedicated to the creation of a new "Gay Literature" for the post -Stonewall period. He is also author of A Boy's Own Story above. Portions of this book were also published in the Chicago Review, Christopher Street Magazine, and Shenandoah. This artistically crafted little novel (148 pages) is too often eclipsed by White's later works. It is written in the first person, from an unnamed, Gay male narrator, to an unnamed Gay lover he left. The test is rich in poetic and symbolic imagery. The plot is discovered as dual time lines are used and chapters are arranged by theme and tone, rather than chronological order.
Orlando. by Virginia Woolf; Wordsworth Editions Limited, Hertfordshire U.K., 1995. (ISBN 1-85326-239-0)
Virginia Woolf was a member of the Bloomsbury Group, and an associate of E. M. Forster, author of Maurice above. This fanciful novella was first published in 1928, and has become a classic of twentieth century literature. The primary character, Orlando, is a sixteen-year-old young man in the court of Queen Elizabeth the first. A sensitive youth and a poet, he begins an odyssey around his world, and also through the centuries. While working as an ambassador to Turkey, he changes his gender and becomes a woman. After a number of encounters with famous people in the various periods in history, Orlando ultimately marries a sea captain and gives birth to a son. This work is one of the first to deal with androgyny, bisexuality, and also cross-dressing.
Other Voices, Other Rooms. by Truman Capote; Vintage Books, New York, 1994. (ISBN 0-679-74564-5)
This is Truman Capote's first novel, which was first published in 1948. It features vivid imagery, archetypical symbolism, powerful themes, and has elements of mystery and gothic overtones. It is a coming of age novel about Joel Knox, who after the death of his mother travels to a small and remote southern town to live with his father, whom he has never met. His new family and their servants live in a dilapidated mansion, and include a number of tragic characters, who have been hurt by those they love. The character of Cousin Randolf may become a literary icon, being the archetypical "lonely old queen". There are two gay love stories in this book.
Our Lady of the Flowers. by Jean Genet; (Translated by Bernard Frechtman;) Grove Press, New York, 1991. (ISBN 0-8021-3013-5)
Genet wrote this book while he was incarcerated in Fresnes Prison, and it was first published in French under the title Notre-Dame des Fluers in 1943. The plot centers around Divine, (Louis Culafroy,) who is a Parisian transvestite. Divine's friends and lovers include Darling Daintyfoot, a soldier named Gabriel, and a murderer called "Our Lady of Flowers" (Adrian Baillon).
The Page Turner. by David Leavitt; Mariner Books, New York, 1998. (ISBN 0-395-95787-7)
David Leavitt is a Yale Graduate, recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the author of eight books. In this little novel centers around Paul Porterfield, an eighteen year old San Franciso youth who gets to turn pages for his idol, pianist Richard Kennington. The summer before he goes to study piano at Julliard, Paul and his mother, Pamela, encounter Kennington again in Rome. Paul and Kennington have a secret affair there, even though Kennington is in a long term relationship with his manager, Joseph Mansourian. The complications of this affair, along with Paul’s having to cope with his own limited abilities in the presence of the A-list musicians at Julliard form the climax of the novel. This novel touches upon the intergenerational Gay relationships, hero worship, Gay young adult and middle age transitional issues. In addition, some insight into the urban fine arts community and travel in Rome are given in background information and stage setting.
Pale Fire.by Vladimir Nabokov; Vintage Book, New York, 1989. (ISBN 0-679-72342-0)
Originally published in 1962, this experimental comic novel, by expatriate Russian Intellectual and college professor Vladimir Nabokov, satirizes the academic community. Essentially, it is a novel masquerading as the commentary to a poem. Professor Charles Kinbote is a political refuge, a closeted gay man, and the narrator of the novel. Charles has been stalking his next-door neighbor, friend, and colleague at Wordsmith College, professor John Shade. Upon John's death, Charles steals the manuscript of John's last poem, in order to write the commentary and prepare it for publication. His commentary begins to talk less and less about the actual poem, and evolves into a narrative about King Charles Xavier Vseslav. King Charles was a closeted Gay man, and also the last king of the European country of Zembla, who escapes from his country after a communist revolution. This is light comic novel with several rather sophisticated themes subtly mixed in.
The Persian Boy. by Mary Renault; Vintage Books, New York, 1972. (ISBN 0-394-75101-9)
This is perhaps the most influential of Mary Renault's historic novels about the ancient Greeks. It tells the story of the last seven years of Alexander the Great's life from the perspective of Bagoas, the Persian eunuch who was Alexander's servant and lover at that time. This is an extremely well researched novel, and is worth noting that their love affair is well documented in the primary sources from that time.
The Picture of Dorian Gray. by Oscar Wilde; Penguin Books, London, 1949. (ISBN 0-14-043187-X)
This book created a scandal when it was first published in 1890, and was written by the man whose wit, individualism, style, esthetics, and tragic persecution (and prosecution) for being Gay have defined the very concept of a Gay man in Western culture. In this Gothic tale of eternal youth and decadence, the beautiful young Dorian has his portrait painted, which ages as he stays young.
The Public. by Federico Garcia Lorca; (Translated by Henry Livings and Ultz;) in
Lorca Plays: Three. by Federico Garcia Lorca; (Edited by Gwynne Edwards;)
Methuen Drama, London, 1994. (ISBN 0-413-65240-8)
his play was originally written in Spanish, and titled El Publico. It was Lorca's only work to deal with homosexuality. While written in 1930 or 1931, it was not published until 1978, and not professionally performed until 1986. The plot centers around a theater director who is on one hand trying to conceal his homosexuality, while on the other hand casting a young man to play Juliet. Themes include masks and costumes having lives of their own, and the premise that falling in love is accidental and not within the lover's control.
Rent Boy. by Gary Indiana; High Risk Books, New York, 1994. (ISBN1-85242-324-2)
This novella by New York intellectual, journalist, and author Gary Indiana (also the author of Three Month Fever in Non-Fiction below,) is a truly disturbing and offensive dark comedy and social criticism. It deals with exploitation of the individual, economically, sexually, and otherwise. The text is a series of letters by a narrator called Danny to a friend known only as "J". Danny lives in New York City, is studying Architecture at Rutgers, and is earning his way by working simultaneously as a waiter, photographer's assistant, and high priced male escort. He and his friend Chip then become pawns in a truly diabolic conspiracy.
The Satyrica. by Petronius (a.k.a. Petronius Arbiter); (Translated R. Bracht Branham and Daniel Kinney;) University of California Press, Los Angeles, 1997. (ISBN 0-520-21118-9)
Translations of this text are sometimes titled The Satyricon. Petronius, who was the Emperor Nero's "Arbiter of Elegance", wrote this first century Roman work. While the text is fragmented, it is considered by many to be the first European novel. It was a favorite book of Thomas Jefferson, and Oscar Wilde himself published a translation. Furthermore, it was the basis of the 1969 Fellini film, Fellini Satyricon. It chronicles the adventures (erotic and otherwise) of a scholar Encolpius and his young, beautiful, and sometimes un-faithful, boyfriend Giton. While the text is in many places rather bawdy, it is an excellent primary source material on Roman life in general, and homosexuality and transvestitism in Ancient Rome in particular.
The Short History of a Prince. by Jane Hamilton; Doubleday, New York, 1998. (ISBN 0-385-47948-4)
This novel has a dual time line: A year in the life Walter McCloud as a closeted gay teenager, in the Western suburbs of Chicago, in the 1970's; and Walter in 1996 returning from New York to the Chicago area to be a high school English teacher in rural Wisconsin. As a teenager, Walter is a sensitive youth who loves ballet and takes lessons. He develops a crush on his classmate from high school and ballet lessons, Mitch. As he grows into a young adult, he becomes increasingly aware of his own limited talent for ballet, and how Mitch will never love him. As un-attached adult, he must deal with his relationship to his large family, to whom he has not come out, his memories of his friends he has lost to AIDS, and the onset of his middle age. In addition to being very well researched about the Chicago area, it is possibly the most insightful book of its type.
A Single Man. by Christopher Isherwood; Noonday Press, New York, 1964. (ISBN 0-374-52038-0)
Christopher Isherwood was an expatriate British intellectual, college professor, and prolific writer, who also wrote The Berlin Stories above. Critics hailed this novel as the first novel to deal with homosexuality without treating it as a social or psychological problem. This novel chronicles a day in the life of George, 58 year old, Gay, British man who teaches English at a college in Los Angeles. His lover, Jim, has died in a car accident in Ohio. George continues to live in the suburban home where he and Jim and lived together, and copes with his grief and loneliness by trying to continue his life as normal as possible. This is one of the few novels to deal with middle-aged Gay men, and also Gay men living in suburbia.
Something Cloudy, Something Clear.by Tennessee Williams; New Directions Publishing Corporation, New York, 1996. (ISBN 0-8112-1311-0)
Tennessee Williams was a Gay man, and one of the most influential playwrights and authors of the twentieth century. This autobiographical play was first performed in 1981, two years prior to his death, is the most personally revealing of his works, and yet is too often overshadowed by his earlier, more mainstream works. It is set in the Gay Mecca of Providence Town Massachusetts (on Cape Cod,) simultaneously in both September of 1940 and in September of 1980. The main character is called "August", after the month in which falling stars are most often seen, but is actually Williams himself in 1980 reliving the Autumn of 1940, with flash forwards to events and people from the years between those two periods of his life. The plot tells how while staying in a beach house in Providence Town to do some rewrites, a young Williams fell in love with Kip, a Canadian draft dodger and male dancer who has terminal cancer. Other than with August, (Williams,) pseudonyms were only used when the person was being depicted in an uncomplimentary way. Hence in the flash forward sequences, characters depicting William's childhood sweetheart Hazel, the actress Tallulah Bankhead, and Frank Merlo (Tennessee's lifelong lover after Kip,) are seen under their real names. Aside from the obvious insights into the life and mind of Tennessee Williams himself, this thoughtful play also provides some insights into Gay psychology and relationships.
The Spell. by Allan Hollinghurst; Penguin Books, New York, 1998. (ISBN 0-14-028637-3)
Alan Hollinghurst is an award winning, contemporary, Gay, British, novelist. He is also a former English Professor, and editor of the Times Literary Supplement. He is also the Author of The Swimming Pool Library below. This insightful novel is set in 1996-7, and centers around the lives of four Gay men in London and the British countryside. Alex Nichols, a 37 year old, conservative, professional Gay man is invited by his former lover Justin to spend a weekend in the country with him and his new lover, an architect named Robin Woodfield. Robin’s 22 year old son Danny, who is also Gay, arrives and ends up introducing Alex to the London club scene. It is one of the few books to deal benevolently but realistically with professional Gay men in their thirties and forties. It also addresses substance abuse in the Rave and club subcultures. Its central issue is probably how some men think they have found their life-long soul-mates, only to be abandoned by the lover who considers the relationship to be a temporary.
The Swimming Pool Library. by Alan Hollinghurst; Vintage Books, New York, 1989.(ISBN 0 -679-72256-4)
Alan Hollinghurst is an award winning, contemporary, Gay, British, novelist. He is also a former English Professor, and editor of the Times Literary Supplement. He is also the author of The Spell above. This novel was first released in 1988, become a bestseller in both the United Kingdom and the United States, and is also highly regarded for its literary value. This novel's main plot is set in 1982 London, before the era of AIDS. William Beckwith, is a writer, and also 25-year-old Gay man from a wealthy, aristocratic family. He befriends Charles Lord Nantwich, an 83-year-old Gay man, and former colonial officer. Lord Nantwich wants his memoirs and dairies to be adapted into a book, and attempts to persuade William to do this for him. Aside from William's personal life and friends in the current time, episodes from his own past, and the 83 years of recollections of Lord Nantwich provide subplots. Ronald Firbank, author of Concerning the Eccentricities of Cardinal Pirelli above, is depicted as an associate of Lord Nantwich. It is an excellent source on the British 'Gay argot', and also deals with situational homosexuality in British bordering schools, police entrapment, and gay bashing.
The Symposium. by Plato; (Translated by Walter Hamilton;) Penguin Books, New York, 1952. (ISBN 0-14-044024-0)
This is Plato's account circa 400 BC. of conversation at a dinner party, in which the nature of love and the origins of sexual orientation are discussed. In addition, it contains an account by the general Alcibiades on how he attempted unsuccessfully to seduce Socrates.
Taking Care of Mrs. Carroll. by Paul Monette; St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1978. (ISBN 0-312-01515-1)
Paul Monette was a Yale graduate, a Lambda Literary Award winner, an AIDS activist, and the author of fourteen books including non-fiction, fiction and poetry. This novel is told as a first person narrative, hence allowing the author wax philosophical about how his characters are behaving and what they are feeling. Beth Carroll, the elderly owner of a huge estate on the Massachusetts sea shore, dies before signing her will which guarantee that the property is put in a public trust, and not sold to developers. David Rowland, her thirty year old Gay houseboy, and Phidias, the overseer of the estate and Beth’s lover of fifty years bring in help in the form of a caste of characters including: David’s former lover Rick (the narrator); a nineteen thirties film star and singer Madeleine Cosquer; Madeleine’s manager and benefactor Aldo, a glib and campy Gay Millionaire from Los Angeles; and Beth’s youngest son Tony Carroll, an alcoholic, closeted Gay, prep school English teacher. This exotic caste of characters spends a summer at the estate pulling off an elaborate conspiracy to ensure that Beth Carroll’s dying wish is carried out. The reconciliation of David and Rick are a major subplot of the book, and their previous history together and personal histories are revealed bit by bit as the main plot evolves. The narrator makes a little made but obvious observation in chapter 2, (page 35 this edition,) in which he observes how openly Gay men tend to mistreat closeted Gay men because they are raging at the closet. In addition, this novel touches on celebrity worship and a drama fixation among Gay men, alcoholism, family secrets, many aspects of relationships and life transitions among Gay men. It is also particularly refreshing to see older Gay men, in thirties and forties, depicted as the romantic leads.
Tales of The City. by Armistead Maupin; Harper Perennial, New York, 1998. (ISBN 0-06-096404-9)
This book was originally published as a semi-comic, soap-opera type serial in the San Francisco Chronicle, and was first published in the form of a novel in 1978. It had five sequels, and the complete series is: #1 Tales of the City, #2 More Tales of the City, #3 Further Tales of the City, #4 Babycakes, #5 Significant Other, #6 Sure of You. Furthermore, it was adapted into a mini-series for PBS in 1994. Its first sequel, More Tales of the City was made into a Showtime mini-series in 1998. A web-site has been set of for fans of these books at http://www.talesofthecity.com/. This book chronicles the lives of the inhabitants of a fictional apartment building at 28 Barbary Lane in San Francisco, during the mid seventies. The building is owned by an eccentric but matronly Anna Madrigal. Her tenets include: Michael "Mouse" Tolliver (an openly Gay man), Mona Ramsey (his roommate), Brian Hawkins (a swinging single), Mary Ann Singleton (a girl from Cleveland), Norman Williams ( a mysterious recluse), and an apparently ownerless cat named Boris. Several of the main characters are Gay and Lesbian, but in some cases it is a surprise. There are many references to 1970's American pop culture, gay culture, and local details of San Francisco. The characters are very endearing, and the text is light and warm.
The Young and Evil. by Charles Henri Ford and Parker Tyler; Masquerade Books Inc., New York, 1996. (ISBN 1-56333-431-3)
Although a bit tame by current standards, this book was suppressed when first published in 1933. Charles Henri Ford was a famous author and literary editor, a protege of Gertrude Stein, and was romantically involved with the artist Pavel Tchelitchew. Parker Tyler was a poet and a famous film critic who revolutionized the study of film. This book is believed to be the first to depict urban, professional Gay men. The two main characters, Julian and Karel are believed to be fictionalized version of Ford and Tyler respectively. This book describes the lives of two Gay writers living as roommates in New York's Greenwich Village in the early 1930's. They lived in a bohemian flat, mingled freely with the artistic and literary community there, attended a drag ball, got Gay-bashed and arrested while cruising Broadway, and encountered a seducing ruffian who stole from them.
And the Band Played On. by Randy Shilts; Updated Edition. Penguin Books, New York, 1988. (ISNB 0-14-011369-X)
Randy Shilts was a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as the Advocate, in addition to being the author of several influential books on Gay issues. This systematic work of investigative journalism chronicles political and social aspects of the early AIDS epidemic, from is nebulous arrival in the United states, possibly during New York City's Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, through 1988. In particular, it exposes the failure of various groups and institutions to take appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the virus. This book provided the basis of the 1993 film of the same name.
Becoming Gay: The Journey to Self Acceptance. by Richard A. Isay, M.D.; Random House, New York, 1996. (ISBN 0-679-42159-9)
This is a self-help book for Gay men, written by a Gay psychiatrist, to help Gay men deal with their self-esteem issues, and live richer, happier lives. Dr. Isay uses a Gay positive, contemporary psychodynamic (Freudian) model of homosexuality. This book also includes many informative case studies as examples.
Breaking The Surface. by Greg Louganis and Eric Marcus; Random House, New York, 1995. (ISBN 0-679-43703-7)
This is the autobiography of the Olympic diver, his struggle for athletic excellence, and his struggles with the closet, fame, an abusive relationship, and HIV.
The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies.by Vito Russo; Revised Edition. Harper Perennial, New York, 1987. (ISBN 0-06-096132-5)
This work was first published in 1981, and the first five chapters cover films produced up to that date. The sixth chapter was added to cover new material up to 1986. It chronicles to portrayal of Lesbian and Gay characters in films, from the silent era to the respective dates of publications. A large number of films are discussed, and summarized in an extensive list of films included as an appendix. The author demonstrates that, the film industry's treatment of Lesbian and Gay characters has changed over time, it has rarely been positive until recently. He also demonstrates that negative stereotypes nevertheless persist.
Completely Queer: The Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia. by Steve Hogan and Lee Hudson; Henry Holt and Company Inc., New York, 1999. (ISBN 0-8050-6031-6)
This extensive reference about Gay and Lesbian life includes extensive entries about matters of concern for both Gay men and Lesbians, and attempts to cover a world perspective. It includes extensive cross-references between the entries, and also with a timeline from 12,000 BC to present.
The Culture of Desire: Paradox and Perversity in Gay Lives Today. by Frank Browning; Random House, New York, 1994.(ISBN 0 -679-75030-4)
This is an excellent book about contemporary trends in the American Gay subculture.
Empowering the Tribe: A Positive Guide to Gay and Lesbian Self-Esteem. by Richard L. Pimental-Habib, PhD.; Kensington Books, New York, 1999. (ISBN 1-57566-424-0)
This self-help book explains why Gays and Lesbians are particularly likely to suffer from low self-esteem, and how it manifests itself in unhappiness and self-punishing and self-destructive behaviors, and describes how to use meditation and guided imagery to help repair your self-esteem.
Finding the Boyfriend Within. by Brad Gooch; Simon and Schuster, New York, 1999. (ISBN 0-684-85040-0)
This self-help book presents many self awareness-increasing exercises, encouraging the reader to get in touch with his own internal idealized boyfriend, to treat himself like a boyfriend, discover the characteristics he wants in a mate, and start to develop these characteristics within himself.
Gay Culture in America: Essays from the Field. Edited by Gilbert Herdt; Beacon Press, Boston, 1992. (ISBN 0-8070-7915-4)
This book is a collection of scholarly essays about a number of issues related to the Gay subculture in America, including case studies in Chicago, San Francisco, Mexican American, and Suburban Gays, coming out, and the 1970's clone culture.
Generation Queer: A Gay Man's Quest for Hope, Love, and Justice. by Bob Paris; Warner Books, New York, 1998. (ISBN 0-446-52275-9)
This is a self-help book by former Mr. Universe, author, and Gay activist Bob Paris. This book covers self-esteem, coming out, and spirituality issues. He also responds to the problems hedonism, nihilism, and infighting that plague the Gay community, which he attributes to failure to resolve the above issues.
Life Outside: The Signorile Report on Gay Men: Sex, Drugs, Muscles, and the Passages of Life. by Michelangelo Signorile; Harper Collins, New York, 1997. (ISBN 0-06-018761-1)
This is a Gay man's criticism of some negative aspects of Gay culture, and circuit parties in particular.
Love Undetectable: Notes on Friendship, Sex, and Survival. by Andrew Sullivan; Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1998. (ISBN 0-679-45119-6)
This is the author's personal recollection of a friend lost to AIDS, Gay subculture, and friendship.
The Making of the Modern Homosexual. Edited by Kenneth Plummer; Barnes & Noble, Totowa New Jersey, 1981. (ISBN 0-389-20159-6)
This is an anthology of scholarly papers about the sociology of homosexual roles, labeling theory, historical research, and other topics. This book is excellent for academic research.
Openly Bob. by Bob Smith; Spike Books, New York, 1999. (ISBN 0-380-73200-9)
Bob Smith is an openly Gay stand up comedian, who was the first to appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and who has also made a comedy special for HBO. This book was first published in 1997, and won the 1997 Lambda Literary Award for Gay and Lesbian Fiction. It is essentially a collection of humorous, essays about his life as an adult Gay male. More often then not, they recall social situations involving him and his boyfriend Tom, as the only gay couple at such family events holidays, funerals, and weddings.
Out in All Directions: The Almanac of Gay and Lesbian America. Edited by Lynn Witt, Sherry Thomas, and Eric Marcus; Warner Books, New York, 1995. (ISBN 0-446-51822-0)
This is a 635-page reference book, containing both original articles and reprinted primary source materials. This is the most systematic and complete reference for all aspects of American Gay culture, lifestyles, and history, which I have found to date.
The Rise and Fall of Gay Culture. by Daniel Harris; Ballantine Books, New York, 1997. (ISBN 0-345-42672)
This is a book about the mainstreaming of homosexuality, and the possible loss of the unique features Gay culture. This is also an excellent source for information on the pre-Stonewall era.
Savage Love. by Dan Savage; Plume, New York, 1998. (ISBN 0-452-27815-5)
This is not a Gay book per say, but an excellent book on sexuality by a Gay sex columnist, containing essays from his nationally syndicated column of the same title.
Soldier of the Year. by Jose Zuniga; .Pocket Books, New York 1994. (ISBN 0-671-88814-5)
This is the autobiography of a distinguished and decorated veteran , who was discharged after coming out. This contains an excellent account of what it is like to be closeted in the military.
Three Month Fever: The Andrew Cunanan Story. by Gary Indiana; HaperCollins, New York, 1999. (ISBN 0-06-019145-7)
This book by New York intellectual, journalist, and author Gary Indiana (also the author of Rent Boy in Fiction above,) investigates and attempts to separate the media created myth and the actual life of Andrew Cunanan. He had been a sensitive, studious, child who attended prep school and showed great promise, but was ashamed of his families relatively humble (middle class) means and his ethnicity (half Asian (Filipino) and half Sicilian), and hence told his classmates that he came from a wealthy, Jewish family. Tragically, as a Gay man he is unable to find himself and fails to learn "how to live." When his life ultimately disintegrates around him, he descends into madness and ends up killing his two best friends, including the man he loved most in the world, lives as a fugitive for the summer of 1997 under intense media coverage, murders the fashion designer Gianni Versace, and ultimately takes his own life in Miami.
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