10 Best LGBT+ Novels Of The Decade
Although LGBT+ novels are not a genre of literature in itself, books have for decades included queer characters or have been written by queer authors. These books selected by ‘Cultured Vultures’ as the best LGBT+ novels of the decade range from “westerns to romantic comedies, historical to adventure novels and everything in between.”
1. The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2011)
This novel is a re-telling of the Greek myth and follows Achilles and Patroclus who are hopelessly, helplessly in love. The book follows its protagonists from their childhood first meeting up until the tragic battlefields of the Trojan War.
2. Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (2012)
This novel has been described as “more than a coming out story”. Set in the late 1980’s, it follows the friendship and romantic relationship of Aristotle Mendoza and Dante Quintana. After the two of them meet they become inseparable and struggle to understand their own emotions. Aristotle, in particular, is angry and confused for a big part of the story.
3. The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters (2014)
Protagonists of this novel are Frances Wray and Lilian Barber. Set in 1920’s London, just after the First World War, Lilian Barber and her brother move in with Frances Wray and her mother who need financial support. Frances and Lilian start a passionate affair and through this book we are “encouraged to follow them bravely on their journeys of self-discovery.”
4. The Art Of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson (2015)
‘The Art Of Being Normal’ follows Kate, a trans kid taking her first steps into transitioning from David, and becoming the person she feels she should be. In her journey she meets the 'new boy in school', Leo, and the two become uneasy friends. “Williamson presents a world that feels like it is very honest and indicative of the experience of trans teens.”
5. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (2015)
This is not an easy read. It filled with difficult topics “from abuse resulting in lifelong trauma to chronic pain and disability, to self harm.” Although the main character is gay the queer themes of this book go way beyond that, making the fact that he is gay “just another thing about him.” This book takes an in-depth look at the complexities of male friendships and relationships.
6. Simon vs The Homo sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (2015)
This “refreshing story about young love” follows Simon, a “very normal teenager” who is gay who, although has it hard in school, he has support from his family and friends. It is easier for him to express himself online and he ends up “flirting his way into love” with an online buddy, Blue. This novel was recently made into a movie, Love Simon.
7. The Walk-In Closet by Abdi Nazemian (2015)
Kara and Bobby are best friends and also portray to be a couple so that Bobby doesn’t have to come out to his Persian parents, the Ebadis. Kara has become a ‘member of the family’ while the Ebadis are desperate for the two to marry and have children. Everything will change after Kara meets Kyle and she will have to “confront what she really wants in life.”
8. Days Without Ends by Sebastian Barry (2016)
Thomas McNulty, the novel’s narrator, falls in love with John Cole in this book set in America during the Indian wars and the American Civil War. This book, included in the BBC’s ‘100 Most Influential Novels’ is hard to be described as just one genre. Barry has managed to make it both a western and historical novel as well as a love story. We follow Thomas as he explores his gender identity and sexuality, and discover he is more comfortable in dresses that in his “traditional masculine garb.”
9. The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice And Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (2017)
Set in 18th century England, this novel’s protagonist is Henry ‘Monty’ Montague, a young man who should be preparing for his life as a gentleman but prefers a gambling and drinking life filled with love affairs with both women and men. Aside from that, Monty has a crush in his best friend, Percy, a character every reader will love.
10. In At The Deep End by Kate Davies (2019)
This explicit and funny novel follows Julia and the moment when she realises that the reason she has been abstaining from sex for the past three years is because she is a lesbian. She dives into a new lifestyle surrounded by LGBT+ friends and she meets Sam, with whom she starts a relationship. And this book does something we are used to as readers in heterosexual relationship bur rarely see described in homosexual relationships. Abuse. Julia suffers in Sam’s hands and throughout this book we realise that abuse is also possible in a lesbian relationship.
Read related myGwork articles here:
The Best LGBT+ Writers, Ranked
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