Book suggestions

[Greathands]

Over lunch today with some colleagues I mentioned that I was reading an anthology of gay love stories. One of my friends seemed surprised there was such a thing. I then shared about some of the great gay novels that I've read and told her that I would bring some in for her to read.

 

This got me to thinking that this may be a great way to help people open their eyes to what gay relationships are about ... and I'm not talking about the "friction" novels.

 

Does anyone have a suggestion on what gay novels would be good to give to a straight person, perhaps even family members who need to expand their horizons?

[Guest Havan_IronOak]

There are a number of great gay novels that a straight person might like and others that would educate.

 

I suggest that you consider reading/ recommending the following:

 

The Catch Trap by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It deals with two young gay men in a circus family in post WWII America. There is a LOT of angst over their sexuality and both try to be heterosexual at some point but...

 

The Front Runner by Patricia Nell Warren. In 1975, coach Harlan Brown is hiding from his past at an obscure New York college, after he was fired from Penn State University on suspicion of being gay. A tough, lonely ex-Marine of 39, Harlan has never allowed himself to love another man.

 

Then Billy Sive, a brilliant young runner, shows up on his doorstep. He and his two comrades, Vince Matti and Jacques LaFont, were just thrown off a major team for admitting they are gay. Harlan knows that, with proper training, Billy could go to the '76 Olympics in Montreal. He agrees to coach the three boys under strict conditions that thwart Billy's growing attraction for his mature but compelling mentor. The lean, graceful frontrunner with gold-rim glasses sees directly into Harlan's heart. Billy's gentle and open acceptance of his sexuality makes Harlan afraid to confront either the pain of his past, or the challenges which lay in wait if their intimacy is exposed.

This is a clasic and its sex scenes like my earlier suggestion are very discreet.

 

Also great is the short story of Brokeback Mountain (Anne Pruiex or some such) that has been released as a stand alone novel now that the movie has become so popular. Two young 1960's cowboys meet when they are given sheeptending duties together and a relationship develops between them that changes both men's lives.

 

There are hundreds of others depending on your audiences age and open mindedness.

 

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin is great in that the first character we meet is straight and the story only becomes more gay after the reader is hooked/prepared. Its also a good read for those that get nostalgic for the 60's /70's west coast mentality.

 

For the younger set...

Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez Three gay teens struggling with issues ranging from coming out to first love to an HIV scare.

 

Someone Is Watching by Mark Roeder. The story of a young high school wrestler in the rural Midwest of the 1980's who must come to grips with being gay. He struggles first with himself, then with an unknown classmate that is blackmailing him. Amid the homophobia of a his high school, while struggling to discover the identity of his tormentor, Ethan discovers his own identity and learns to live his life as his true self. In the end he is faced with a terrible decision. He must give up what he wants the most, or face his greatest fear of all.

 

 

For the Sword and Sorcery nuts (Like me)...

Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey. An eldest son's inability to meet his father's expectations earns him an unexpected exile -- to the High Court of Valdemar under the guardianship of his stern and implacable Aunt Savil, one of the legendary Herald-Mages. There he discovers his true nature, a like minded young man and his own immense talents.

 

More to follow as I think of them.

[Guest Dan]

Obvious, but effective in showing how gay men have traditionally screwed up their lives and those of others because they were too scared to openly come out...BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. (And a quick read at that.)

 

Dan Dare

http://www.geocities.com/dandare_laca/DanDare4Hire.html

[Bilbo]

Magic's Pawn is the first book of a trilogy and all three are fine, fine books. And belong to a longer series of books, which includes happier (but not as central to the book or as epic) gay love stories and a profession called k'estrachern which is a sexual healer, rather like a Sacred Intimate or a very high quality escort, the kind that instinctively heals what stands between the customer and happiness.

 

Also, I just read a trilogy, science fiction, which would mostly appeal to about middle school readers, I think, but I certainly enjoyed it a whale of a lot myself. The trilogy is called "The Far Side of the Sky". The first book is "Jumping Off the Planet." Two sets of married gay couples - one male, one female - The guys are central to the plot, the women are very important supporting parts. The first person story teller is a very well written thirteen or so years old, and learns quite a lot when he has to go into drag to escape some villains. All of this, wonderful chase scenes and courtroom comedy, etc. by the author of the The Trouble With Tribbles episode of Star Trek, David Gerrold.