The eNotes Blog Where the Queer Charactersat

Where the Queer Charactersat Im a character-driven reader: its the characters that suck me into the plot and make me want to keep turning the pages.   I especially love finding characters who resemble me in some way, from hair texture to musical inclinations. But what happens when you almost never see a key component of your identity mirrored in the characters you love? I identify as bisexual, and I want to know where the queer characters are in mainstream literature. To be clear, Im not talking about the characters you find in the LGBTQ+ section of the bookstore. I hate browsing in that section and feeling that I have to seek out these characters, and that when I do their narratives are only focused on their sexual orientation or gender identity.   I just want queer characters to exist organically in the books read by the mainstream public. In honor of Pride Month coming to a close I have composed a list my favorite books with LGBTQ+ characters, spanning several genres and each presenting a unique view of what it means to be LGBTQ+. Happy reading! *Warning:  all of these pieces of literature contain adult themes and content* 1.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson A dark and disturbing mystery, The  Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a fantastic read that keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat. One of the main characters is  Lisbeth Salander, an abrasive and unapologetic bisexual. What I like about her role in the novel is that her sexual orientation  isnt treated as a big deal (although it does play a role in subsequent novels). Salander simply does who she wants, when she wants, without Larsson making it a main plot point. 2. The Best Little Boy in the World by Andrew Tobias The Best Little Boy in the World is an oldie but goodie, a classic coming-out story. I really enjoy the honesty of this memoir. Tobias, originally writing under the pen name  John Reid, details discovering his sexuality without resorting to sensationalism. He quietly proves his point: gay people are just like everyone else. 3. Iron Council by  China Mià ©ville Iron Council  is a peculiar hybrid of western, steampunk, and fantasy genres. Much like the protagonist in  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the main character in Mià ©villes novel is  unobtrusively bisexual. This novel is a prime example of an LGBTQ+ character merely existing in literature; there is no fuss or hullabaloo because the character defies heteronormativity. 4.  Rubyfruit Jungle by  Rita Mae Brown Rubyfruit Jungle is another coming of age/out story. However, unlike The Best Little Boy in the World, it is told from the point of view of a lesbian. Although problematic in some of its portrayal of the lesbian community and its sub-sects, the novel is an important read as it paved the way for other lesbian coming-out stories. This list goes out to all the questioning readers who want to find themselves in literature.