LGBT+ History month may be over, but that doesn’t mean that your exploration of LGBT+ history needs to come to an end. Library Assistant, Mike Holloway, has chosen five LGBT+ works of fiction all available to borrow from the Library.
If you’re looking to learn more about LGBT+ history, people and experiences but you prefer to read fiction, some of these picks may be for you!
Giovanni’s Room is about David, who – after his girlfriend leaves him alone in Paris – begins an affair with a man called Giovanni. The story focuses on David’s feelings and frustrations with other men in his life as the narrative heads towards the morning of Giovanni’s execution. The novel deals with social isolation, gender and sexual identity crisis, as well as conflicts of masculinity. Baldwin brought about complex representations of homosexuality and bisexuality to a wider audience.
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a semi-autobiographical novel by Jeanette Winterson about a young lesbian girl and her upbringing in a small English village. Growing up in a strong Christian community, she is subjected to exorcisms when she finds herself attracted to another girl. The books deals with coming of age, same sex relationships, and the concept of faith.
Told as a memoir, Fun Home tells the story of the author’s youth in rural Pennsylvania, her dysfunctional family and her complex relationship with her father, a closeted homosexual. The story leads to the author’s own lesbianism, and not hiding her sexuality away like her father did. The book addresses sexual orientation, gender roles and emotional abuse.
Written in 1971, Maurice tells the story of Maurice Hall and his homosexual relationship with his friend, Clive. But when Clive tells Maurice he no longer loves men, Maurice is left feeling alone. Maurice marries a woman and a doctor attempts to ‘cure’ him. But when Maurice meets a man named Alec, he feels that love once again.
In mid-1920s Copenhagen, portrait artist Gerda Wegener asks her husband, Einar Wegener, to stand in for a female model for a painting she's working on. This leads Einar to address their own gender identity, and names herself Lili Elbe. This sets in motion Lili’s transition to a woman, leaving behind the identity of Einar.
For more resources about LGBT+ History, including blogs, film and TV recommendations, personal experiences and more, visit the University LGBT+ History Month hub and check out the Library’s LGBT reading list for more reading ideas.
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