rec me novels with a gay male protagonist!

[pauraque_bk]

A friend of mine was complaining today that he couldn't find any good novels where the main character was (like him) a gay guy. I read very little published fiction, and he doesn't read fanfic, so I couldn't help. But maybe you can!

He doesn't like paranormal stuff (no werewolves or vampires, he specified) nor is he looking for erotica/romance. Beyond that I think he's open to different genres.

Where should I point him?

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Comments

[thimble-kiss.livejournal.com]

I haven't read many novels with gay male protagonists, but I picked up The Night Listener by Armistead Maupin a while back, and liked it a lot. It's kind of a mid-life coming-of-age story (among other things) and has got a twist at the end that may or may not work for people, but it did work for me. And I found this list which has got contemporary lit fiction on it in addition to genre gay novels, so maybe your friend can find something there. I like the presentation with the book cover, pic of author and link to review/bio/comments (on lj).

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

Yes, I second Maupin's books in general. Night Listener is brilliant. Also used to LOVE the Tales of the City books of his.

[the-alchemist.livejournal.com]

I love The Liar by Stephen Fry. Not sure whether the protagonist identifies as gay or bi - he does have sex with a woman once, but it's basically an experimentation thing.

I also like A Dead Man in Deptford which is about Christopher Marlowe.

And just so it's not the case that I only recommend books about spies in Cambridge, I also like the Tales of the City books by Armistead Maupin. They have an ensemble cast, but if there is a main protagonist, he's a gay man.