14 Timeless LGBTQ+ Classics Everyone Should Read

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Recently updated on September 18th, 2024 at 02:31 pm

Picture this. You’re a fan of classics. And you’re searching for queer classics. But you’re not sure how many you expect to find. You can find many groundbreaking LGBTQ+ classics that shaped literature.

From timeless romance books to groundbreaking narratives, these classics will broaden your literary horizons.

Whether you’re after romance books, thrillers or non-fiction – I’ve got you covered. In this post, I recommend 14 compelling queer classics every booklover should read.

This post contains affiliate links. That said, I won’t ever recommend a book I haven’t read and loved myself.

The best LGBTQ+ Classics

1. Maurice by E.M Forster

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The Color Purple is a modern LGBTQ+ classic about love, redemption, and finding yourself. Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. The Color Purple is a powerful read that delves into the lives of African American women in early 20th-century Georgia.

We follow Celie, a young Black girl grappling with poverty and segregation. Separated from her sister Nettie, Celie stays connected through letters until she meets the glamorous Shug Avery, a woman who’s boldly carved out her own path.

Through Shug and her own journey, Celie learns to embrace her spirit and reclaim her life, ultimately finding joy and reconnection with those she loves.

4. The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall

The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall is a landmark in LGBTQ+ literature. It offers an unflinching look at same-sex love in early 20th-century Britain.

Published in 1928, We follow Stephen Gordon, a woman struggling with her identity and societal rejection.

Hall’s portrayal of Stephen’s life and her deep, passionate relationships was revolutionary at the time. It gives a raw and honest depiction of the lesbian experience.

Despite its controversial reception, the book is powerful testament to the resilience and complexity of LGBTQ+ individuals. An essential read in queer literature.

5. Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg

Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg is a seminal LGBTQ+ classic that captures the raw, unfiltered experience of being a butch lesbian in the 1960s and 70s.

This semi-autobiographical novel follows Jess Goldberg, a working-class butch navigating a world fraught with gender identity struggles and societal prejudice.

Feinberg’s powerful narrative delves into themes of gender fluidity, oppression, and self-discovery, offering a poignant and often heart-wrenching portrait of queer life.

With its unapologetic exploration of identity and resilience, “Stone Butch Blues” remains a vital and transformative read in queer literature.

6. Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Orlando by Virginia Woolf is a mesmerizing LGBTQ+ classic that defies conventional boundaries. Written in 1928, this enchanting novel follows Orlando, a character who experiences life across centuries and changes gender from male to female.

Woolf’s imaginative storytelling explores themes of identity, love, and the fluidity of gender, all while weaving a rich tapestry of historical and literary references.

With its playful narrative and profound insights, Orlando remains a groundbreaking work that challenges and celebrates the complexities of queer existence, making it a must-read for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ literature.

7. The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, also published under the pseudonym Claire Morgan, is a landmark in LGBTQ+ literature.

Released in 1952, this groundbreaking novel tells the passionate love story between Therese, a young aspiring set designer, and Carol, an older, sophisticated woman.

What sets it apart is its hopeful ending, a rarity in queer literature of its time. Highsmith’s evocative prose and complex characters offer a compelling exploration of love, desire, and societal constraints, making The Price of Salt a cherished and revolutionary read in the queer canon.

8. Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown is a vibrant and revolutionary LGBTQ+ classic that has made waves since its 1973 debut.

This daring coming-of-age novel follows Molly Bolt, a fiercely independent young lesbian navigating her way through life, love, and societal expectations.

Brown’s sharp wit and unapologetic storytelling capture Molly’s journey with a blend of humor and defiance, challenging norms and celebrating queer identity. Rubyfruit Jungle remains a bold and influential read, showcasing the power of self-discovery and resilience in the face of adversity.

9. Zami by Audre Lorde

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde is a groundbreaking piece of queer literature that blurs the lines between autobiography, mythology, and poetry.

Published in 1982, this biomythography weaves together Lorde’s experiences as a Black lesbian woman, exploring her personal history with lyrical intensity and profound insight.

Through its rich, multifaceted narrative, Zami delves into themes of identity, love, and the intersectionality of race and sexuality. Lorde’s evocative prose and powerful storytelling make Zami an essential read in LGBTQ+ literature, celebrating the resilience and beauty of queer existence.

10. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel is a landmark in queer literature, redefining the graphic memoir genre.

Published in 2006, this poignant and richly illustrated book explores Bechdel’s relationship with her father, her own coming out, and her journey to understand her sexuality.

Through its clever, detailed artwork and deeply personal narrative, Fun Home masterfully intertwines themes of family, identity, and self-discovery. Bechdel’s honest and intricate storytelling offers a powerful and relatable exploration of queer life, making Fun Home a quintessential read in LGBTQ+ literature.

11. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood is a poignant gem in LGBTQ+ literature that captures the profound solitude of a single gay man in 1960s Los Angeles.

Published in 1964, this introspective novel follows George, a middle-aged professor navigating a day of grief and reflection after the death of his partner.

Isherwood’s lyrical prose and keen observations delve into themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that feels increasingly alien. A Single Man offers a deeply moving portrait of queer existence, making it an enduring and essential read in the queer literary canon.

12. The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal

The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal is a bold and trailblazing LGBTQ+ classic that shook the literary world when it was published in 1948.

This groundbreaking novel follows Jim Willard, a young man on a journey across America as he grapples with his attraction to another man and the challenges of coming to terms with his identity.

Vidal’s candid portrayal of same-sex desire was revolutionary for its time, offering an unflinching look at the complexities of queer love and society’s harsh judgments. The City and the Pillar remains a powerful and essential read in the queer literary landscape.

13. City of Night by John Rechy

City of Night by John Rechy is a raw and electrifying LGBTQ+ classic that takes readers deep into the underground world of 1960s America.

Published in 1963, this semi-autobiographical novel follows an unnamed young hustler as he drifts through the neon-lit streets of cities like New York, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.

Rechy’s gritty and poetic prose captures the loneliness, desire, and defiance of queer life on the fringes of society. City of Night is a daring exploration of identity and survival, making it a cornerstone of queer literature.

14. Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu is a haunting and seductive classic that laid the groundwork for queer Gothic literature.

Published in 1872, this novella predates Dracula and tells the story of a young woman, Laura, who becomes entangled in a mysterious and intense relationship with the enigmatic Carmilla.

With its eerie atmosphere and subtle exploration of same-sex desire, Carmilla is a trailblazer in vampire fiction and queer storytelling. Its blend of horror and sensuality makes it an essential read for anyone interested in the roots of LGBTQ+ literature.

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