50 Gay And Lesbian Books Everybody Must Read by Richard Canning (All Editions)

In 50 Gay and Lesbian Books Everybody Must Read, Richard Canning curates an essential roadmap through the queer literary landscape. Rather than a simple list, the book is a collection of fifty succinct essays written by a diverse group of critics, authors, and public figures. These contributors dive into works ranging from the ancient (like the Epic of Gilgamesh and Plato) to modern classics (like Virginia Woolf and James Baldwin). The descriptions don’t just summarize plots; they explore why these specific titles are foundational to understanding queer identity, culture, and history. It’s a guide designed to “rearrange your shelves,” challenging the idea that these books are niche and insisting they are vital to the broader human experience.

Subject: Books And Reading; Homosexuality and literature; Homosexuality In Literature; Writings – History And Criticism

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Comments

This volume actively works to establish a “crossover” canon. Historically, lesbian books have often been sidelined in favor of “mainstream” concerns or even overshadowed by gay male narratives. By placing writers like Virginia Woolf and Ivy Compton-Burnett alongside high-profile male authors, the book asserts that lesbian literature is a pillar of the global literary tradition. It provides a formal framework for the “lesbian must-read” list, offering historical context and intellectual validation for works that were once only whispered about or found in underground bookstores. It serves as both a preservation project and a gateway for new readers to find their history.

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Publication History