best gay historical fiction

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.

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 '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.

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.

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.

I really like 'Call Me by Your Name' which is also part of goodreads gay historical fiction. It's set in Italy during a certain period and shows the budding relationship between two young men. It's not just about the romance but also about self - discovery and the cultural context of the time. There's also 'A Single Man' which gives a great insight into the life of a gay man in a different era. It shows his daily struggles and his memories.

One common theme is the struggle for acceptance. In many historical periods, homosexuality was not tolerated, so characters often had to fight against society's norms. For example, in Victorian England - set gay historical fictions, characters had to hide their true selves.

In 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin, the main character, David, has a complex relationship with Giovanni in Paris. The novel explores themes of identity, love, and the struggle with homosexuality during that era. These novels not only feature gay characters but also give insights into the historical and social contexts that influenced their lives.

One great historical fiction gay book is 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster. It's set in the early 20th century and explores the life and self - discovery of a young man named Maurice. Another is 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of Achilles and Patroclus from Greek mythology in a very homoerotic way. 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin is also notable. It delves into themes of identity and homosexuality in a 1950s Paris setting.

One characteristic is the exploration of homosexuality in a historical context. These novels often show how gay characters navigated a society that was not always accepting. For example, in 'Maurice', the main character has to deal with the social norms and expectations of early 20th - century England. Another characteristic is the use of historical settings to enhance the story. The historical backdrop, like the ancient Greece in 'The Song of Achilles', adds depth and authenticity. They also often deal with themes of secrecy and the search for identity, as being gay was often something that had to be hidden in the past.