Summary: In today's article, I have compiled 20 of the best gay novels that showcase powerful stories of self-discovery and acceptance. Here are my top 3:
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
- Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
TOP 20: Gay Novels
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
- Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
- Gravity by Tal Bauer
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
- Less by Andrew Sean Greer
- The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith
- The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
- Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- The Ghost and Charlie Muir by Felice Stevens
- Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
- The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville
- The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
1. The Song of Achilles
- Author: Madeline Miller
- About: A retelling of the Iliad focusing on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus, exploring love and destiny.
- Style of writing: Lush, poetic, and emotional.
- Length: 100,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional and thought-provoking, often leaving readers heartbroken.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully written love story that delves into timeless themes of love, fate, and sacrifice.
2. Call Me by Your Name
- Author: André Aciman
- About: A passionate summer romance between a young boy and his father’s research assistant in Italy.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, sensual, and reflective.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2007
- Emotional impact: Powerful, lingering, and often leaves readers contemplating the nature of love and memory.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully crafted story of love and loss that feels intensely real and unforgettable.
3. Giovanni's Room
- Author: James Baldwin
- About: A young American man’s struggle with his sexuality and love for an Italian named Giovanni in Paris.
- Style of writing: Elegant, introspective, and raw.
- Length: 55,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 1956
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional, offering a raw, unflinching look at inner turmoil and societal rejection.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A classic that deals with themes of sexuality, guilt, and acceptance, still relevant today.
4. The House in the Cerulean Sea
- Author: TJ Klune
- About: A government worker is tasked with overseeing a group of magical children and finds unexpected love and purpose.
- Style of writing: Heartwarming, whimsical, and uplifting.
- Length: 105,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Lighthearted yet impactful, offering a hopeful message about love and acceptance.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A feel-good, magical story that explores love, found families, and self-acceptance.
5. Gravity
- Author: Tal Bauer
- About: A Secret Service agent falls in love with a presidential candidate in a high-stakes political thriller.
- Style of writing: Tense, romantic, and suspenseful.
- Length: 120,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Engaging and emotional, with high stakes and a compelling romance.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A gripping combination of political intrigue and romance with strong character development.
6. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- About: A reclusive Hollywood icon reveals her glamorous and turbulent life, including her love affair with a woman.
- Style of writing: Engaging, fast-paced, and reflective.
- Length: 120,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Riveting and moving, with moments of heartbreak and triumph.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A captivating narrative about fame, love, and self-identity that explores LGBTQ+ themes.
7. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
- Author: Ocean Vuong
- About: A letter from a son to his illiterate mother, exploring identity, family, and love.
- Style of writing: Poetic, lyrical, and reflective.
- Length: 80,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Deeply moving and evocative, often leaving readers with lingering thoughts.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully written, emotionally intense exploration of love, trauma, and identity.
8. Less
- Author: Andrew Sean Greer
- About: A failed novelist goes on a global adventure to avoid attending his ex-lover’s wedding.
- Style of writing: Humorous, light-hearted, and witty.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Funny, poignant, and emotionally satisfying.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A charming, funny, and uplifting story about love and self-discovery.
9. The Price of Salt
- Author: Patricia Highsmith (under the pseudonym Claire Morgan)
- About: The love affair between Therese, a young woman, and Carol, an older woman going through a divorce.
- Style of writing: Sensual, detailed, and contemplative.
- Length: 85,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 1952
- Emotional impact: Moving, with themes of love, secrecy, and societal pressures.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A groundbreaking lesbian romance that offers a hopeful ending, rare for its time.
10. The Miseducation of Cameron Post
- Author: Emily M. Danforth
- About: Cameron, a young girl sent to a gay conversion therapy camp, navigates her identity and struggles for self-acceptance.
- Style of writing: Introspective, thoughtful, and emotionally charged.
- Length: 135,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Deeply affecting and thought-provoking, dealing with difficult subjects.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: An important story about identity, resistance, and personal growth in the face of oppression.
11. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
- Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
- About: Two Mexican-American boys, Aristotle and Dante, form an unexpected friendship and fall in love while navigating their identities.
- Style of writing: Gentle, lyrical, and heartfelt.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Touching, with themes of friendship, love, and personal growth.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A beautifully tender coming-of-age story about love and identity.
12. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
- Author: Mackenzi Lee
- About: A young bisexual lord embarks on a grand European tour, filled with adventure, romance, and mischief.
- Style of writing: Fun, adventurous, and witty.
- Length: 120,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Fun and light-hearted with deeper moments of growth.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A charming, humorous story about exploration, both external and internal.
13. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
- Author: Becky Albertalli
- About: A high school junior, Simon, navigates coming out and a secret online relationship.
- Style of writing: Funny, relatable, and heartwarming.
- Length: 85,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Sweet, funny, and emotionally satisfying.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A delightful, feel-good story about friendship, love, and self-acceptance.
14. The Color Purple
- Author: Alice Walker
- About: The life of Celie, an African-American woman in the early 20th century, including her relationships with women.
- Style of writing: Powerful, raw, and lyrical.
- Length: 100,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 1982
- Emotional impact: Profoundly moving, with themes of resilience, abuse, and empowerment.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A landmark novel about race, gender, and sexuality, with a rich narrative and unforgettable characters.
15. The Ghost and Charlie Muir
- Author: Felice Stevens
- About: A man falls in love with a ghost in a heartwarming paranormal romance.
- Style of writing: Sweet, tender, and emotional.
- Length: 90,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Heartfelt and emotional, with a sense of longing and romance.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A unique, romantic tale about love transcending boundaries.
16. Tales of the City
- Author: Armistead Maupin
- About: A series of interconnected stories about the residents of a San Francisco apartment building, exploring LGBTQ+ lives.
- Style of writing: Warm, witty, and engaging.
- Length: 140,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 1978
- Emotional impact: Engaging, with a blend of humor and heartfelt moments.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A groundbreaking LGBTQ+ series that portrays a diverse, vibrant community.
17. A Little Life
- Author: Hanya Yanagihara
- About: The lives of four friends in New York, with a focus on one’s traumatic past and emotional struggles.
- Style of writing: Intense, detailed, and deeply emotional.
- Length: 225,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Heart-wrenching and often difficult to read, but profoundly impactful.
- Difficulty level: Challenging
- Why read it: A deeply emotional exploration of trauma, friendship, and love.
18. The Art of Racing in the Rain
- Author: Garth Stein
- About: A race car driver’s life and struggles, narrated by his dog, Enzo.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt, philosophical, and uplifting.
- Length: 105,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2008
- Emotional impact: Emotional and thought-provoking, often leaving a lasting impression.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A unique, touching perspective on love, loss, and loyalty.
19. The Ghosts of Belfast
- Author: Stuart Neville
- About: A former IRA hitman, haunted by ghosts, seeks redemption.
- Style of writing: Dark, suspenseful, and gritty.
- Length: 95,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 2009
- Emotional impact: Gripping, with a sense of tension and emotional weight.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A thrilling, complex narrative blending crime, history, and redemption.
20. The Night Watch
- Author: Sergei Lukyanenko
- About: Set in 1940s London, following four individuals during and after WWII, exploring love and identity.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, intense, and layered.
- Length: 110,000 words (approx.)
- Year written: 1998
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking and tense, with strong themes of love and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A unique mix of history, mystery, and emotional depth.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, The Song of Achilles, Call Me by Your Name, and Giovanni's Room are three of the most impactful gay novels you can read. Each one takes you on an emotional journey, exploring love, identity, and relationships in unique and powerful ways. Whether it's the epic bond between Achilles and Patroclus, the passionate summer romance of Elio and Oliver, or the raw self-discovery of David and Giovanni, these stories offer deep insights into love and self-acceptance. They’re must-reads for anyone wanting to connect with the beauty and complexity of LGBTQ+ experiences.
