best gay historical royal fiction

The 'best' gay historical royal fiction is one that can transport the reader to the time period effectively. It should be able to make you feel like you're in the court of a 17th - century French king. The plot needs to be engaging. A story about a secret gay relationship among the royals that has political implications and love - related drama is far more interesting. Also, the way it challenges or conforms to the historical views on homosexuality of that era is important. If it can show how a gay royal overcame the prejudices of his time, it can be very powerful.

One great example is 'Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe'. It's not strictly about royalty but has themes of self - discovery in a historical context that can be related to the exploration of gay identity. Another could be 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster which is set in a period - piece England and deals with a gay relationship within the upper - class society which has elements of royalty - adjacent settings. And 'The Song of Achilles' which is based on Greek mythology and has a relationship between two men, and in the context of Greek mythology, there were figures with royal - like status.

Well, 'Orlando' by Virginia Woolf can be considered as well. It spans different historical periods and the main character, Orlando, has some gender - bending and queer - related experiences. Then there's 'A Single Man' by Christopher Isherwood. Set in 1960s California, it shows the life of a gay man dealing with loss and his place in society at that time.

Well, in royal historical fiction, the focus is on the royalty, obviously. So, it shows their daily lives, their ceremonies, and their decision - making processes. It also often has a large cast of characters, from the highest nobles to the lowest servants in the court. This helps to create a more complete picture of the historical period. And the plots usually revolve around political intrigue, family feuds, and the struggle for the throne. Like in many stories about the Wars of the Roses, where different branches of the royal family fight for the crown.

One great example is 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster. It was written in the early 20th century but not published until later due to its gay themes. It beautifully portrays the life and love of a gay man in that era. Another is 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller. It reimagines the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus in a very tender and homoerotic way, set against the backdrop of Greek mythology which is a form of historical context. Also, 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin is a significant work. It delves deep into the protagonist's struggle with his identity and his relationship with Giovanni in a Parisian setting, exploring themes of love, lust, and self - acceptance in a historical context.

The most popular ones? 'The White Queen' by Philippa Gregory is up there. It's part of her Cousins' War series and has a huge following. People love the way she weaves the story of Elizabeth Woodville. Also, 'I, Claudius' is still popular today, decades after it was first published. It gives such an interesting view into the Roman royals. And 'The Kingmaker's Daughter' also has a lot of fans as it continues the story of the power struggles in the Wars of the Roses.

Power is a common theme. In these stories, young royals often have to navigate the power struggles within the court, like in 'The Selection' series. Another theme is love, which can be complicated by their royal status.

One of the best is 'The Crown's Game' by Evelyn Skye. It's set in a fictional Russia where two enchanters compete for the role of imperial enchanter. The story is filled with magic, political intrigue, and a touch of romance.

Often, these novels are set in grand or aristocratic backdrops. They may feature palaces, balls, and other elements of high society. The relationships in them are complex, as the characters have to deal with not only their feelings for each other but also the expectations and social norms of the royal or upper - class world they inhabit.

Look for award - winning books in the LGBT literature category. For example, the Lambda Literary Awards often feature some excellent gay historical fiction. Reading reviews in literary magazines and websites can also be helpful. They usually give in - depth analysis of the books, including their historical accuracy and how well they portray gay relationships in a historical context. Another way is to follow gay authors on social media. They often share their works or recommend other great books in the genre.