Queereaders discussion
introduce yourself
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introducing...
Welcome, Fish! How did you end up living in Japan?
I've got a job as a high school teacher over here. I studied a little bit of Japanese and Japanese literature in college. So, the pay being what it is, and the amount of time I'm allowed to study language and literature, and the general freedom I have to do my own thing, teaching in Japan turns out to be a pretty good gig. I reckon I'll be here for the forseeable future-- at least until something graduate school-related pans out for me. Or maybe I'll join the Peace Corps and move to Mongolia!
I adore adore adore Murakami. He seems queer. Do you like his novels?
I know what you mean about Murakami. I'm a big fan actually. I've never read anything specific to his potential queerness, but the way his books deal with sort of agitated psychological states, and expand those into fantastic experiences in some physical reality (I'm thinking of Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World mainly)... there could be something to that. I will investigate!
I'm not saying that he's an avowed homosexual per se (yes, sarcasm intended) but I'm talking about the frequency of queer themes and characters in his writing. I find that so surprising, especially from a Japanese writer, from an ordinary bourgie background. Japan is all about conformity and the status quo, and comes along this writer of such kinetic je ne sais quoi.
Definitely, I agree. I would be surprised to find if he were a homosexual himself, but his writing definitely makes room for queerness in interesting ways. I think that some of his stories could be read as comments on the way that queerness may exist in Japan (generally in the midst of so many powerful forces of conformity).
Awesome!
Now, did you know that the current Empress Michiko was once considered by Yukio Mishima as a potential bride? How awesome is that?
And she has a degree in English Literature.
Now, did you know that the current Empress Michiko was once considered by Yukio Mishima as a potential bride? How awesome is that?
And she has a degree in English Literature.
I had heard that. Empress Michiko has a more than a couple of books of poetry, some of which appear on this website. The only two I've seen have been books for children-- back when I was getting my teaching license I came across some of her poetry illustrated in a sort of "pre-adolescents first poetry collection" type format. The books were a little self-conscious about the whole princess concept, but its tough to get much better in terms of authentic, accessible Japanese poetry (in translation) for children.
Profficient, but not really even close to fluent. I get by at school with the help of the other English speaking teachers. It can be exhausting sometimes. I'm learning pretty fast though-- the upside.
Wow... do you get hit on often in Japan because of Japanese fetish for bears?
If I'm in the right bar... I mainly just get stares awkward silence, the occasional cryptic gesture-- a Japanese man making a kissy face with his lips while stroking an imaginary beard on his (usually) bare chin.
Hahaha I wonder what it'd be like when I visit Japan. What would they make of an effeminate bearish Deaf gay man? LOL (who reads way too much and way too many books)
Hello,I am a queer woman from Sri Lanka. I recently became a member of goodreads and wanted to join this group. I am interested in finding out what is out there in terms of queer/women's writing.
kaushi
Hi Kau,
My dear co-moderators are also queer women who read with profligancy. (Is that spelled right? Forgive me as it's 2 in the morning.) And, of course, our many wonderful group participants. Anyone who can help out Kau in her quest?
As for my familiarity with Sri Lanka, I've read two novels, "Funny Boy" and "Cinnamon Gardens" and I can't recommend those books enough, especially as those books offers a glimpse into the conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. With queer characters thrown in.
I don't mean to seem flippant. Again, it's only because it's two o'clock in the morning and I feel especially eloquent this early morning.
My dear co-moderators are also queer women who read with profligancy. (Is that spelled right? Forgive me as it's 2 in the morning.) And, of course, our many wonderful group participants. Anyone who can help out Kau in her quest?
As for my familiarity with Sri Lanka, I've read two novels, "Funny Boy" and "Cinnamon Gardens" and I can't recommend those books enough, especially as those books offers a glimpse into the conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. With queer characters thrown in.
I don't mean to seem flippant. Again, it's only because it's two o'clock in the morning and I feel especially eloquent this early morning.
Rambling,I'd imagine they'd LOVE to meet you! And I imagine you'd be more adept at deciphering some of their hand gestures as well! I don't want to extrapolate too much from your self description as bearish and deaf, and maybe its just a strange coincidence, but I'm reminded suddenly of that couple in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, I always thought of them as a "couple" but maybe that wasn't as explicit as some of the other "couples" in that book. It's been a while since I read that book, but, do you have any idea what I'm talking about?
OMG you're the first person to have noticed that! When I added "The Heart" to the Queereaders bookshelf, there were actually questions about whether that was a queer novel. That's one of my most favorite books. It amazes me that almost no one has noticed about the closeness of the Deaf characters in the novel. Long live John Singer! (Notice the ironic name).
Welcome Fish and Kaushayla! It is nice that the group is becoming so international. And you all seem to be reading so many deep and thoughtful things. I am going back to my trashy reads now.... (ducks head)
Fish, you have such a fascinating life. I really need to leave my soul-deadening job in the suburbs and move to the city.Welcome, Kaushayla! Check out the group's bookshelf for titles. If you like fantasy, I highly recommend Rachel Pollack's Godmother Night.
Hugs, Nancy. Philly got a place for you ;)
I'm just hi-lighting the most fascinating parts I think. There's still plenty of room for soul-deadening boredom and anxiety.John Singer! That was his name! I want to go back to my Carson McCullers now...
Thanks for the welcoming words, all.
Hey folks. Have been absent a while but...Missed you all! mwah.
In Heart is a Lonely Hunter (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE), John Singer was not Deaf, but Mute (I don't know what the preferred term is). I don't remember whether his Greek friend was Deaf as well as Mute, or only Mute. I think the Greek friend had other issues as well.
The book is amazing, though. What it says about race, gender, class, everything...!!!
I remember Carson described them as deaf-mutes (a very offensive term but I'll overlook that only for this instance.)
I might be wrong. Sometimes I am. But the first sentence says In the town there were two mutes. I dunno.And by the way, what is a less offensive term than Mute? I feel like I read somewhere that Mute is not the right word, but now I can't remember.
Ach... it all depends on that person. I would not accept nor would I appreciate the term 'hearing impaired.'
yeah. I guess it does depend on the person, there seem to have been so many iterations of political correctness... It was emphasized to me somewhere along the line that as long as you avoid conflate the person with that person's attribute, and are generally compassionate in your speech, the political correctness will follow.The big one in Japan is the word for "foreigner" (gaijin) which is taken by some people in some contexts to be a very VERY offensive word. It's different if your friend happens to use it in conversation than if a drunk person is yelling it at you from across the street.
It's much the same phenomenon I've found at work among the words we use to name gay/bisexual/lexbian/transgender/queer people (ourselves). I'm most comfortable calling myself queer or bisexual, but I've found that some of my gay friends almost resent those labels. Likewise, some of my straight friends who don't know any better probably think of me as gay, which is not really insulting or offensive, but it feels incorrect somehow, or maybe not-the-whole-picture.
In the end I suppose its all just names. And the struggle becomes how best to maintain the integrity of one's personal identity in the midst of such diversity, and further, to reconcile these very real differences with what I think of as an over-arching, all-encompassing humanity.
Hi there,I am Wendy and I joined a few months ago. I have been reading posts faithfully, but haven't really had the time to introduce myself. I live near Edmonton Alberta, Canada. I've been married for 3-1/2 years to a woman I have been with for 13 years. I work full time, but I also run an online business for gay/lesbian gifts etc. The usual stuff. My website is down at the moment while I revamp it though. I also am set up with a little store at a gay/lesbian campground. There are no stores for that type of thing around here. There used to be a feminist/gay/lesbian bookstore in Calgary, but that closed down. So now, I am adding used glbt books to my store. I like to read but haven't read many glbt themed books. I am reading The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill right now. I wanted to read Naked Rain with you guys, but I got captured with this book.
Anyway, If anyone has any suggestions for the best glbt fiction that I can search for. I would appreciate it. That way when I scour used book stores, I can have some idea of what to look for.
I am also trying to work on obtaining my Bachelor of Commerce through correspondence. (Majoring in e-commerce). I want to set myself up to retire earlier and just run the online business and maybe consult out of my home for other businesses.
Wendy
Cool
I couldn't find "the books of negroes" by lawrence hill for a book discussion in another group that i'm a member of. is it good?
we have over 600 books on the bookshelf, you can find many titles to choose from.
and welcome, wendy!
I couldn't find "the books of negroes" by lawrence hill for a book discussion in another group that i'm a member of. is it good?
we have over 600 books on the bookshelf, you can find many titles to choose from.
and welcome, wendy!
Rambling Reader wrote: "I couldn't find "the books of negroes" by lawrence hill for a book discussion in another group that i'm a member of. is it good?" Actually, it was published in the US as "Someone Knows My Name". I am enjoying it, but at times it is a little graphic. But I think the storyline is well done. You see, I hate historical novels, so this book must be ok as it is keeping my attention so far.
Thanks to everyone who sent me suggestions to read and the welcome. I agree with what you said, Rambling Reader. Shyam's books, especially Funny Boy, deals with several things at once. Sadly, no one else has written queer stuff from SL and Shyam himself said in an interview that he is not sure if he would have come out if he had remained in the country.
wow
so are you still in sri lanka?
so are you still in sri lanka?
Wendy wrote: "Hi there,I am Wendy and I joined a few months ago. I have been reading posts faithfully, but haven't really had the time to introduce myself. I live near Edmonton Alberta, Canada. I've been marri..."
Welcome to the group, Wendy! Check out our large bookshelf for titles recommended by our members. Most of the titles should be sorted by category.
Naked in the Rain was very good, but sadly there hasn't been much discussion about it. Feel free to comment whenever you get around to reading it.
Good luck with your degree! I know how much work it is, as I'm working towards mine in General Studies.
Hey All, I'm Cagney. I live in Cleveland, Ohio. Nothing fun really ever happens in Ohio, but if you are lucky you can surround yourself with some pretty interesting people.
Personally, I don't find myself that interesting but I also don't like to talk about myself. In a nut shell I like to travel, I've been to 8 other countries besides the US. I have a degree in Women and Gender within Religious Studies. I am an out lesbian. I love to read, obviously. Recently I have read mostly lesbian fiction, but love other genres too.
Currently I am reading Stir-Fry
Welcome, Cagney!I need to read more lesbian fiction, particularly if it has some sci-fi or fantasy. Do you have any recommendations?
Love your sweet pug!
Rambling Reader wrote: "wowso are you still in sri lanka?"
YES! It's not that bad ;-)
My name is Tosh and I am not gay but have a great interest in Gay orientated literature (if that makes sense) - and even a greater interest in gay culture in pop music. Especially when it concerns managers of rock n' roll artists. The main reason is I guess is I am fascinated with various sub-cultures and all that it offers.Some of my favorite writers are gay. Passion is passion and it doesn't make a big difference to me what their orientation is - but how they capture the experience on the blank page. I guess that's my interest.
Also Fish I have spent time in Japan. Mostly in Tokyo and parts of Kyushu. I love 20th Century Japanese literature. My favorites being Mishima, Dazai and Tanizaki.
Hi Wendy and Tosh,
You both have wonderful ideas for discussion.
Gender studies within religion... such fun!
Gay culture and how it has influenced pop music.
I'm starting to get into Murakami. He's such a queer writer even though he's hetero.
You both have wonderful ideas for discussion.
Gender studies within religion... such fun!
Gay culture and how it has influenced pop music.
I'm starting to get into Murakami. He's such a queer writer even though he's hetero.
I know Murakami's work (generally) and how do you see his work being queer?
Hi everyone!I'm Melanie and I joined this group because rambling Reader invited me. I'm living near Amsterdam and love the colour pink and maybe he thought that would be reason enough for me to join the queereaders group ;)
Well, I'm not gay,I don't really believe that matters...I'm interested in people, I love books...I'm curious...that's why I'm here!
Hahahaha that's a funny introduction, melanie. Glad you joined us.
Australian, likes girls, likes reading about girls, especially likes reading about girls who like girls... xD
Tosh wrote: "I know Murakami's work (generally) and how do you see his work being queer?"
Well, I mean that his work is queer in the way that the sensibility is off-kilter. His milieu is disquieting. His works often feature ordinary people in strange situations.
Well, I mean that his work is queer in the way that the sensibility is off-kilter. His milieu is disquieting. His works often feature ordinary people in strange situations.
Well Hello.I must admit that this is my first online chat/discussion group. After graduating from undergrad I've been a little bored, I thought maybe a book club would be a good idea.
I've mostly been reading queer literature, and actually found this site through a Lesbian writers homepage. I thought it would be awesome to join a group that was a little more open and did discuss LGBT issues. Unfortunately, Cleveland does not have a very active community compared to some other cities. So I thought this might be a good way to meet, talk and discuss issues with the community at large.
Other than that, I live with my girlfriend and pug and cat. I work at Starbucks and read in my spare time.
Nothing too thrilling, it is what it is.
Cagney
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I'm Fish. I live near Hiroshima, Japan. I joined this group mainly to have access to the conveniently grouped lists of books. I've just added my own: Yukio Mishima, CONFESSIONS OF A MASK-- excellent! If any of you are ever in Japan, let me know. It gets seriously lonely in this strait-laced country sometimes, usually nothing that a good book won't fix I reckon.