Today I’m going to discuss LGBT characters in classic literature. No, this won’t be a history lesson but an informal discussion and maybe a few good reads you can add to your TBR piles.
Classic literature is choc full of LGBT characters…many refuse to acknowledge their presence or try to have certain pieces banned because of this. So…here is my list of a few awesome classic lit titles featuring at least one LGBT character. Although…I can’t guarantee you will love them all…for example my first title:
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – This is an excellent book and a much revered classic. Basil Hallward is the man who painted Dorian Gray’s infamous portrait and he is very much a gay character…something Dorian Gray takes extreme advantage of. I also like to believe Dorian himself is bisexual but some might contest me on that.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – This is a newer novel but undoubtedly is considered a classic. Patrick, in this novel, is openly gay and absolutely fabulous. This is a tough book to get through with some triggers but it’s worth it if you can.
Orlando: A Biography by Virginia Woolf – Orlando is a transgender character who starts the story as a man and turns into a woman. An interesting read and widely considered one of Woolfs most accessible novels.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas – Eugenie, daughter of Edmon’s enemy, ends up running away with a woman in this novel. There are subtle references to the fact that she is a lesbian but there are no overt passages that state it.
If you want a sexy twist on The Count of Monte Cristo please check out my adaption. It’s the same great story you’ve always loved with a little more light shone on the private side of the characters.
Thank you for listening to my rambles and I hope you try one of these great titles.
XOXO
Monica Corwin
About the Author
Monica Corwin is an outspoken writer who dreams of making romance and erotica accessible to everyone, no matter their preferences. When not writing, Monica spends time finishing her degree in English and keeping the world safe from evil (no really). She also liked to collect tomes on King Arthur.
If you need to contact Monica Corwin you can email her at mojo09226(AT)yahoo.com.
Monica is giving away TWO prizes to commenters. The first winner can choose either a print or digital copy of The Count of Monte Cristo: Wild and Wanton Edition. The second winner can choose a digital copy of a book from her backlist. Comment to enter!
Edmond Dantes thinks life is grand until he is arrested and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Upon his ill-gotten freedom, armed with the map to find a vast and endless treasure, Edmond embarks on an adventure to redeem his honor and seek vengeance for the long years he suffered locked away in prison.
French men and sensuality go hand in hand, and although Edmond has been out of the game of love for sometime he learns how to get exactly what he wants, and who. Betrayal, lust, rage, and hope all run along the same emotional vein and Edmond learns how to twist people’s emotions toward exactly what he needs to gain his redemption.
For the Grand Prize Giveaway, I (Nix) will be giving away ten of my top LGBT books. These books will be gifted via All Romance as the books are available to readers on all the types of eReaders (you just need to sign up for a free account to access the books and you can send them directly). If you have any of the books and you win the prize, speak to me and I’ll see what else I can do. All of the posts have prizes atatched and a list of these can be found here
The books are (and there are substitutions available for people who have copies)…
- With a Kiss by Kim Dare (MM)
- Hot Head by Damien Suede (MM)
- By the Book by Scarlett Parrish (MM)
- The Dom With a Safeword by Cari Silverwood (FFM)
- Starfish and Coffee by Kele Moon (MM)
- How Sweet it is – Melissa Brayden (FF)
- Fatal Shadows – Josh Lanyon (MM)
- Faith and Fidelity – Tere Michaels (MM)
- How to Love – Kelly Jamieson (FMM)
- Cut and Run – Abigail Roux (MM)
Recently added
- Paperback Tread Marks & Trademarks by SA McAuley
Thanks for the recommendations1
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my alltime favorite books. While we’re talking about classic gay couples who can forget Max and Professor Fate from The Great Race! 😀
Thanks for having me, Nix!
I read Orlando for a class my senior year of college. Definitely an interesting read. Thanks for the recommendations!