Well, first, they often have a rich historical setting. For example, they might be set in Victorian England or some other period with a distinct social and cultural flavor. Second, the vampire element brings in the supernatural. Vampires are often depicted as alluring yet dangerous. And of course, the gay romance aspect adds a unique layer. It can show relationships that were often hidden or taboo in the historical periods they are set in, exploring themes of love, acceptance, and the struggle against society's norms.
One characteristic is the exploration of forbidden love. Since vampires are often seen as outsiders, their gay relationships add an extra layer of taboo. Another is the blend of the supernatural and the romantic. For example, the immortality of vampires can create unique relationship dynamics.
Historical gay romance novels often feature the struggle against the social norms of their time. Since homosexuality was not always accepted, the characters usually have to hide their relationship or face discrimination. For example, in 'Maurice', the main character has to deal with the homophobic society of early 20th - century England.
One characteristic is the exploration of forbidden love. In many gay vampire novels, the relationship between two male vampires or a vampire and a human male goes against the norms of society, whether it's the vampire society or the human one. This adds an element of danger and secrecy to the relationship.
Often, they explore themes of forbidden love. Since vampires are often seen as outsiders in society, gay vampires in these novels face double the stigma, which makes for a very intense and emotional exploration of love and acceptance.
Another one to consider is 'The Gilda Stories' by Jewelle Gomez. It tells the story of a black lesbian vampire, but also has elements of historical exploration and themes that can be related to gay vampire historical romances in terms of the supernatural and relationship building over time.
Historical vampire novels often have a rich setting in a particular historical period. For example, in 'Dracula', the Victorian era is vividly depicted. The characters' clothing, social norms, and architecture of that time are all part of the story. Vampires in these novels usually have some connection to the history, like being born in a certain era or having influenced historical events.
Typically, they combine elements of the vampire genre like immortality, blood - drinking, and supernatural powers with gay relationships. The characters often have a sense of mystery due to their vampiric nature.
Often, historical gay novels tend to reflect the social attitudes of their times. For example, in many older novels, homosexuality was often a hidden or taboo topic, so the characters might be portrayed as struggling in secret. They may also be set in specific historical periods which influence the plot, like in Victorian England where strict moral codes affected how gay characters interacted.
One characteristic is that they often explore the struggle for acceptance. In different historical periods, homosexuality was not always tolerated, so these novels show how gay characters fought against social norms. For example, in novels set in Victorian England, gay characters had to hide their true selves. Another characteristic is the use of historical settings to enhance the story. The architecture, social hierarchies, and cultural norms of the time become a backdrop that both restricts and shapes the gay characters' lives.
Gay themed historical novels frequently have themes of love and longing that are colored by the historical context. The love between the characters may be forbidden or difficult to express due to the laws and social mores of the time. For instance, in novels set during the Middle Ages, gay relationships were severely punished. So the characters have to be very cautious. They also tend to incorporate real historical events and figures in a way that is relevant to the gay experience. This can help to ground the story in history and make it more believable. And the language used in these novels can be quite evocative of the historical period, which adds to the overall atmosphere and authenticity of the story.