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Izzy
While I would say there's no meaningful LGBT representation in the book, I'd like to disagree with some comments here that claim that it's not implied. There are several instances where Robin's interest in Ramy is heavily implied. The first time being quite early in the book:
"The light made Ramy's eyes glow, made his skin shine like burnished bronze. Robin had the absurd impulse to place his hand against Ramy's cheek: indeed, he'd half lifted up his arm before his mind caught up with his body."
Also, later on it almost seems like it's reciprocated:
Robin: "She wants you. Very badly. So why-"
Ramy: "Don't you know why?"
Their eyes met. Robin felt a prickle at the back of his neck. The space between them felt very charged, like the moment between lightning and thunder, and Robin hat no idea what was going on or what would happen next, only that it all felt very strange and terrifiying, like teetering over the edge of a windy, roaring cliff.
"The light made Ramy's eyes glow, made his skin shine like burnished bronze. Robin had the absurd impulse to place his hand against Ramy's cheek: indeed, he'd half lifted up his arm before his mind caught up with his body."
Also, later on it almost seems like it's reciprocated:
Robin: "She wants you. Very badly. So why-"
Ramy: "Don't you know why?"
Their eyes met. Robin felt a prickle at the back of his neck. The space between them felt very charged, like the moment between lightning and thunder, and Robin hat no idea what was going on or what would happen next, only that it all felt very strange and terrifiying, like teetering over the edge of a windy, roaring cliff.
Lali
Ignore Michael, I would like this question to be answered too. It's extremely useful information for those of us collating book recs for specialist sites and bookshops, whether for Pride month or LGBT+ History Month or whatever other reason. Thanks for seeking more info!
Kerensa
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Anaya
I went to a talk with R.F. Kuang about this book and she did say explicitly that Robin was a queer man, but I agree with many commenters below that nothing is explicitly stated in the novel which I think is intentional on Kuang's part because I've noticed in her work she doesn't like to write a lot of explicit romance but usually hints at it. It also makes sense for the time period that Robin wouldn't be able to express any queerness so all of it is vaguely hinted at and if you're looking for a book that has depicted queer representation this probably isn't it.
Pia
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Leigh Ann
It is implied that one male character has romantic feelings for another. It is so fleeting that I would not recommend this for an LGBTQ+ book display.
Bree (Bookshop Bree)
Since there's a couple different answers, I figured I'd add in my take, I would say no, there is no LGBTQ+ representation. I didn't pick up anywhere it's implied either. No romance at all in this one, really, outside of fleeting mentions of feelings developed/developing.
Trista
There is an implied romantic fondness between 2 male characters, but it’s not a very big part of the plot.
Siegrid Tuttle
The simple answer is no and if you're looking for books for like a Pride reading list or something, this is not the book.
The more complex answer is that the author just generally isn't interested in romance, especially explicit romance. There are two love triangles that are alluded to in the book, but really only serve to make this argument that people will destroy the things they desire if they cannot have them (even if those things are people who they claim to love). One of those love triangles involved an implied queer relationship but it is not a situation where there is explicit straight romance and then implied gay romance, there's just only implied romance for everyone and that implied romance purely serves to make a thematic point. What is taken very seriously in the book is questions about love and loyalty between friends, family, and your nation. Particularly friendship is focused on a lot. So while queer romance is not focused on, this very queer idea that the most intense and important relationships in your life need not be romantic is taken very seriously.
I would also add that while this is a very good book on colonialism, it definitely doesn't look at like patriarchy as a system that both creates and is reproduced by colonialism. I only mention that because racism very much is examined as a societal structure that both produces colonialism and is reproduced by colonialism. While sexism is mentioned in the book, it's not examined in the same way. Which is fine, obviously R.F Kuang cannot tackle every mountain in her anti-colonialism book, but if you're looking for books about colonialism that address the way colonialism reproduces within the family, this also is not the book.
The more complex answer is that the author just generally isn't interested in romance, especially explicit romance. There are two love triangles that are alluded to in the book, but really only serve to make this argument that people will destroy the things they desire if they cannot have them (even if those things are people who they claim to love). One of those love triangles involved an implied queer relationship but it is not a situation where there is explicit straight romance and then implied gay romance, there's just only implied romance for everyone and that implied romance purely serves to make a thematic point. What is taken very seriously in the book is questions about love and loyalty between friends, family, and your nation. Particularly friendship is focused on a lot. So while queer romance is not focused on, this very queer idea that the most intense and important relationships in your life need not be romantic is taken very seriously.
I would also add that while this is a very good book on colonialism, it definitely doesn't look at like patriarchy as a system that both creates and is reproduced by colonialism. I only mention that because racism very much is examined as a societal structure that both produces colonialism and is reproduced by colonialism. While sexism is mentioned in the book, it's not examined in the same way. Which is fine, obviously R.F Kuang cannot tackle every mountain in her anti-colonialism book, but if you're looking for books about colonialism that address the way colonialism reproduces within the family, this also is not the book.
Ester
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Joe Arnold
Yes, Robin has the hots for Ramy, Kuang made it obvious but not overt. I think this was intentional, as writers in this era would have to be subtle, or they wouldn't get printed.
Matty Dub
It is clearly stated that the protagonist finds beauty in both men and women but it is stated once for each and then never mentioned again. There is no romantic subplot in the book.
Liv
I do not agree with the previous comments that the feelings between Robin and Ramy are not relevant; especially in the second part towards the end of the book it is particulary these feelings that become a huge part of the catalyst for action (and what an action!). It is not a book that tackles romance in a traditional way; it is all quite subtle, and yet the feelings are intense, described with insistence and despair - just like love often is. In a way, all kinds of love are redefined in this book without wanting it to be a romance. Hope this makes sense.
barbara ☾
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Drew
Barely any. It would not meet the criteria to be included in a booklist or display.
Lauren Dierker
No, but there is almost no romance in this book at all. One character has romantic feelings for another, but it is a smaller plot point and no relationship comes from it. No main characters have romantic relationships and essentially no side characters have romantic relationships. Relationships are at most hinted at or referenced, but generally ignored.
H W
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Yamini
No, it does not have a clear representation of LGBTQ, only a hint of it
Nawal
Implied. Not explicit. Referenced very little.
Mal Thomas
It's not focused on any romantic relationships, although there's some subtle romantic tension (both queer and straight), but it's absolutely queer in the political sense-- in that the characters aim to dismantle systems of oppression and wrestle with their place in a world that was not designed for them. If you believe queerness is a political identity and you want to read about queer people living life that does not center around romantic love, this is absolutely the book for your queer book club.
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Dec 21, 2022 07:24AM · flag