Hello and Recommendations

[Sean]

Hello from Toronto. I'm a gay guy pushing 50, who enjoys primarily literary fiction. There seem to be so few gay novels that fit into that category. My favorite author by far is Alan Hollinghurst. His major books are great reads but I also like a lesser known work of his called The Spell, which is much lighter and fun than the others and doesn't take itself as seriously.

I'm currently reading Patrick Gale's A Place Called Winter. And The Children's Crusade by Ann Packer.

[Bill, Moderator]

I like Hollinghurst a lot. His prose is exceptional. Other gay priented books that have a literary bent I like include Dhalgren and Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders by Samuel R Delany, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay: A Novel by Michael Chabon, Kelland by Paul G Bens, Willy by Michael Dunbar. The Carnivorous Lamb by Agustin Gomez-Arcos, At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill among others. Of course there's also Christopher Isherwood, E.M. Forster ( Maurice and sme short stories), some André Gide, Edmund White. The list goes on.

I'd be interested in what you recommend. And, Welcome!

[Robert]

Awesome list! Imagine. WILLY on a list with DHALGREN and MAURICE. But who is this Michael Dunbar of whom you speak?

Just kidding.

I was riveted by his "Making a Windsor Chair."

[Nancy]

Welcome, Sean!

If you like short stories, I highly recommend You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett.

[Bill, Moderator]

Robert wrote: "Awesome list! Imagine. WILLY on a list with DHALGREN and MAURICE. But who is this Michael Dunbar of whom you speak?

Just kidding.

I was riveted by his "Making a Windsor Chair.""

:-) He's a great guy and superb writer, esp when he does novesl! Willy still haunts me.

[Robert]

Thanks for the kind words. Ignore me. Just being bitchy. Michael Dunbar -- but he's not me. On the other hand, maybe I should write a craft book. Let's see. "Make Your Own Gargoyles." No. Too Horace Walpole. Let me think...