Queereaders discussion

I'm new here--not only to this group, but to Goodreads, itself. I would like to introduce myself! My name is Megan. I am an English major with an emphasis on gender studies, and I have one more semester before I graduate!

As far as my favorite authors go, Jeanette Winterson and Virginia Woolf have my heart.

I joined this group in hopes to expand my knowledge of LGBTQ+ novels, but also, I really wanted an outlet to discuss some of the novels I read as well because I think my friends are sick of listening to me!

Best,
Megan

Hey Megan, welcome! :)

I'm a big Woolf fan; I've read and loved a number of books by her. My favorite is probably Orlando, but A Room of One's Own is brilliant too! And I quite liked To the Lighthouse, Mrs. Dalloway, and to some extent The Waves also.

I haven't read much Jeanette Winterson, but I did love Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit when I read it .. so innovative and at times very funny. What's your favorite of her books?

Hope you enjoy the group! Maybe join our group read of Tipping the Velvet? We're reading and discussing it throughout May & June on this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... From your favorite authors, it sounds like you might like her? I'm definitely going to join in that group read too as well as at least one of the others - it'll be my first Sarah Waters, but judging from her high acclaim and my friends' enthusiastic recommendations, it probably won't be my last.

My favorite of Jeanette Winterson's novels so far is Written on the Body. Winterson uses a genderless narrator, and it is so interesting. On top of that, Winterson is extremely poetic, if you couldn't tell from Oranges.

Orlando is definitely my favorite of Virginia Woolf's novel, but The Waves and To The Lighthouse are runner ups!

I'm definitely joining the group read. I've actually read Tipping the Velvet--it had to have been at least 5 years ago--so I'm excited to re-read it! It will feel like the first time because it has been so long. I have also read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, and I like the homage to Dickens in it.

Yes, I could definitely see the lyricism in Oranges; that's one of the reasons I liked it. And I definitely want to read Written on the Body someday - my to-read list is just so long!

So glad you're planning to join in on the group read too Megan! I really enjoy discussing the group reads when we have good participation. I feel like they deepen my understanding since we all come from different places, plus it's just fun talking about books in detail! Like you, I can wear out my offline friends on the topic - my long-time partner is a big reader too, but we don't always read the same books. :)

Greg wrote: "Hey Megan, welcome! :)

I'm a big Woolf fan; I've read and loved a number of books by her. My favorite is probably Orlando, but A Room of One's Own is brilliant too! And I..."

Welcome Megan! When I read 'serious' fiction, I tend to do an author novels in toto, in written order. I'm gearing up to do Dostoevsky. Some I've read decades ago.

I have considered doing Virginia Woolf, but was scared off after seeing the Orlando movie which I really didn't appreciate. Why do you and Greg like her as an author?

Welcome Megan!
I have only read Orlando by Virginia Woolf. I don't remember anything about the movie at all, except that I saw it. I did like the book though. I think I need to read it again though to fully comprehend it and catch all its nuances.

I have recently added Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit to my reading list. Not sure why I have never read any Jeanette Winterson. Hopefully that will be remedied soon. Take care and once again, welcome!

Kernos wrote: "I have considered doing Virginia Woolf, but was scared off after seeing the Orlando movie which I really didn't appreciate. Why do you and Greg like her as an author? ..."

Kernos, I'm not sure if you'll like Woolf or not - it is not for everyone; it requires patience and often little hinges upon action. If you recall the ending of A Single Man, that reminds me of her work (just the last few pages).

Her language is lovely and free, often metaphoric, very close to poetry in the way it moves by intuition rather than logic. I love it for the novelty and for its moments of intense inspiration, the way she pulls disparate things together and gives them meaning beyond any easy description, the way she plumbs the inner contortions of the mind.

Some of her books are more obscure than others (in my opinion The Waves is one of her most non-traditional and most difficult, and Orlando is one of her least difficult).

That's really helpful Greg - thanks. I love poetic and lyrical prose, especially if I can find a lot of new words and unusual images. It's a reason I like Hollinghurst so much. I will probably give her a try.