Buy 50 Gay and Lesbian Books Everybody Must Read

50 Gay and Lesbian Books Everybody Must Read

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Synopsis

Gay topics have been central to most national literary traditions, whether in fiction, memoir, drama, or verse. Yet “crossover” success stories are remarkably few, as are works of literature about gay subjects, written by heterosexual authors. Furthermore, openly gay-themed books tend to get passed over in favor of works more evidently addressing “universal” or “mainstream” concerns. No longer: Here's the book that cues you in to the essential titles in the gay and lesbian literary canon.

Edited by Richard Canning, with a foreword from renowned literary critic Harold Bloom, this volume contains fifty succinct essays by critics, public figures, and authors. They illuminate works by fifty men and women that everybody should read.

Canning tackles important themes, issues of regional and cultural diversity, political aspects, and analyses of that old chestnut: What makes a work of literature gay or lesbian? Don’t expect a definitive answer. Do expect to learn why these titles are must-reads.

Rearrange your shelves, book-club lists, and expectations. Whether your preference is for Ginsberg or Woolf or Melville, this is one volume no bookworm—straight or gay—should miss out on.

Product Format Information

Book Trade Paperback: $14.99

Availability: Usually ships in
5-10 days
UPC: 978159350119
ISBN: 1593501196
Catalog #: BT2762042

Publisher : Alyson Books

Keywords

Book, Classics, Gay Icon, Gay Male, Gay/Lesbian, GLBT Creator / Performer / Writer, Lesbian, Literary Adaptation, Writer/Writing

Genres

Books, Non-Fiction/Reference

Customer Reviews

My Work is Set Out

Amos Lassen wrote on 04/11/2011:

I just received my copy of Richard Canning's 50 books I should read and I am a bit embarrassed. I consider myself to be well read and I feel I am somewhat well educated and certainly very aware. I am ashamed to say that of the 50 books included in this volume that I have only read half of them--that is right, 25 of the 50. What's more of the 25 I have not read, some I have never heard of before. So now I guess I have my work set out for me.
What Canning has done with this book is to gather essays from some of today's writers, novelists and critics and they bring their favorite books to the fore--or perhaps I should say the books that have either influenced them or left an impression. Some of the names of the essayists and some of the authors of the books are familiar while others are not. We know that the gay life has always played a major part on the literary scene regardless of genre. It is no surprise that books with gay themes are often passed over for my mainstream works but in this book you can find what you need to read to be a well read homosexual--according to the authors contained.
Canning explains the importance of the books chosen in his introduction and the book itself is made up of fifty short essays--one for each selection. Each essay deals with one of the fifty books and gives a great deal of information about it. Many issues are dealt with--diversity, both regionally and culturally, politics, and an analysis of what makes a certain book gay. There are no real answers here but what we do learn is why these are the books that must be read, (Where am I going to find the time to read an additional 25 books--I already have a stack next to my desk and there are about 70 titles there!). However I guess I have to get started so that I can keep up.