LGBTQ+ literature has a profound impact on society, providing visibility, fostering empathy, and exploring the complex spectrum of identity, love, and struggle. From trailblazing classics to contemporary masterpieces, these books transcend boundaries and represent the diverse experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Here’s a list of the best 10 LGBTQ+ books to read before you die.
1. Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
Published: 1956
Genre: Literary Fiction
One of the most poignant and influential LGBTQ+ novels, Giovanni’s Room tells the story of David, an American man grappling with his sexual identity in 1950s Paris. The novel explores the complexities of love, shame, and desire as David enters into a tumultuous relationship with an Italian bartender named Giovanni. Baldwin’s profound narrative unflinchingly examines the emotional costs of denying one's true self in a repressive society.
Why You Should Read It:
James Baldwin's exploration of identity and love transcends time, with Giovanni’s Room standing as a landmark in both LGBTQ+ and American literature. It boldly tackled themes of same-sex desire at a time when such topics were often silenced, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the history of LGBTQ+ voices in fiction.
2. The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith (published under the pseudonym Claire Morgan)
Published: 1952
Genre: Romance/Drama
The Price of Salt tells the story of Therese, a young aspiring set designer, and her romantic relationship with Carol, a glamorous older woman trapped in an unhappy marriage. This novel is revolutionary for its depiction of a same-sex love story that doesn't end in tragedy, a rarity in its time. Highsmith's keen observations about class, love, and the difficulties of living authentically resonate throughout the narrative.
Why You Should Read It:
Also known by its film adaptation title Carol, this novel offers a rare early portrayal of lesbian romance with a hopeful conclusion. Highsmith’s ability to depict longing and the constraints of 1950s society make it a deeply emotional and unforgettable read.
3. Orlando by Virginia Woolf
Published: 1928
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Orlando is a playful and imaginative novel following the life of its titular character, who mysteriously changes gender halfway through the book and lives for over three centuries. Based loosely on Woolf’s intimate relationship with Vita Sackville-West, Orlando explores gender fluidity, societal expectations, and the passage of time in a way that was incredibly ahead of its time.
Why You Should Read It:
Virginia Woolf's experimental style, blending gender, time, and history, offers a groundbreaking narrative that challenges rigid constructs of identity. Orlando is a must-read for its brilliant examination of gender and self-expression, with timeless relevance to the LGBTQ+ experience.
4. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
Published: 2006
Genre: Graphic Memoir
Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home is a graphic memoir chronicling her relationship with her father, a closeted gay man, and her own journey of coming out as a lesbian. Through intricate illustrations and sharp prose, Bechdel creates a complex portrayal of family, identity, and the struggle for self-acceptance.
Why You Should Read It:
Not only is Fun Home a unique and powerful coming-of-age memoir, but it’s also a landmark work in LGBTQ+ literature, blending personal narrative with literary and cultural references. Bechdel’s ability to weave humour, tragedy, and truth into her story makes this book unforgettable.
5. Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
Published: 1973
Genre: Coming-of-Age
Rubyfruit Jungle is a semi-autobiographical novel about Molly Bolt, an unapologetically bold and defiant young woman navigating life as a lesbian in 1960s America. With humor and wit, Brown tells the story of Molly’s journey from childhood to adulthood, as she faces societal prejudices and learns to embrace her identity.
Why You Should Read It:
This groundbreaking novel was one of the first widely read works that focused on a strong, unapologetic lesbian protagonist. Its humor, heart, and bold commentary on societal norms make it an essential read in LGBTQ+ literature.
6. Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Published: 2007
Genre: Romance
Call Me By Your Name is a sensuous and heartbreaking tale of first love, set in the sun-drenched Italian countryside. The novel revolves around the passionate romance between 17-year-old Elio and a visiting scholar named Oliver. Aciman's lush prose beautifully captures the intensity and intimacy of desire and the emotional complexities that come with it.
Why You Should Read It:
Aciman’s novel is a timeless exploration of love, longing, and the bittersweet nature of memory. The emotional depth of Elio and Oliver’s relationship, coupled with Aciman's evocative descriptions, makes Call Me By Your Name a modern LGBTQ+ classic.
7. Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg
Published: 1993
Genre: Autobiographical Fiction
Stone Butch Blues tells the powerful story of Jess Goldberg, a working-class butch lesbian navigating life in the 1960s and 70s. The novel delves into the complexities of gender, identity, and the harsh realities faced by those who don’t conform to societal norms. Feinberg’s raw and unflinching narrative tackles themes of community, survival, and the struggle for acceptance.
Why You Should Read It:
Leslie Feinberg’s novel is a deeply moving exploration of gender nonconformity and the LGBTQ+ experience in a world that often punishes difference. Its themes of resilience and resistance resonate today, making it a foundational text for understanding the intersection of gender and identity.
8. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Published: 2015
Genre: Literary Fiction
This contemporary epic follows the lives of four college friends, with a particular focus on Jude, a brilliant yet enigmatic man with a traumatic past. While not strictly an LGBTQ+ novel, A Little Life contains powerful portrayals of queer relationships and delves into themes of trauma, love, and friendship.
Why You Should Read It:
Yanagihara’s writing is both devastating and beautiful, offering an emotionally immersive experience. The depiction of LGBTQ+ characters, complex and fully realized, makes this a book that lingers long after the final page.
9. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Published: 2002
Genre: Historical Fiction
Middlesex is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that follows the life of Cal, an intersex man raised as a girl. Spanning three generations, the novel examines Cal’s family history, his coming-of-age, and his eventual understanding of his intersex identity. Eugenides’ novel deftly combines humor, history, and personal discovery in a compelling narrative.
Why You Should Read It:
Middlesex is an extraordinary exploration of identity, biology, and family. It’s one of the few mainstream novels to center on an intersex character, making it a unique and important contribution to LGBTQ+ literature.
The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson
Published: 2015
Genre: Memoir/Philosophy
In The Argonauts, Maggie Nelson blends memoir and critical theory to explore her relationship with her gender-fluid partner and the experience of building a queer family. Nelson examines the intersections of motherhood, gender, sexuality, and identity, offering an insightful and deeply personal meditation on love and transformation.
Why You Should Read It:
Maggie Nelson’s writing is both intellectual and intimate, pushing the boundaries of genre and challenging traditional ideas about gender and sexuality. The Argonauts is an essential read for those interested in the complexities of modern queer family-making and identity.
These ten LGBTQ+ books offer an array of perspectives, experiences, and voices, all contributing to the rich tapestry of queer literature. From the early groundbreaking works that helped pave the way for visibility to contemporary masterpieces that continue to challenge norms and expand our understanding of identity, these books are must-reads for anyone invested in the LGBTQ+ community or simply seeking powerful stories about love, struggle, and self-discovery.