Literary Gay Romantic Novels (112 books)

Listopia > Literary Gay Romantic Novels

There are tons of m/m lists on Goodreads, but I'm having trouble finding ones for literary fiction.

Rules for this list....

1) Must be a novel published by a mainstream press. If you are an author promoting your own book, this is not the list for you. Unless you are famous and have gotten reviews in the mainstream media, your book doesn't belong here.

2) No genre fiction. No science fiction or fantasy. Needs to be contemporary or historical literary fiction. Also no YA. The book needs to be adult fiction, and the characters also need to be adults.

3) Romantic. Not just a book about gay men in general. There needs to be a romantic relationship in the novel, and it needs to have at least a few steamy, sexy scenes. Just kissing is fine, nothing explicit required. Doomed romance is ok too.

4) Once again, I will reiterate, if you are thinking of an e-book, a small press or self-pubbed book, of the type with half-naked men embracing on the cover, it does not belong on this list.

Thank you for your cooperation!

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1	The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 2,068,054 ratings score: 8,905, and 90 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 962,320 ratings score: 6,259, and 63 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 608,307 ratings score: 5,414, and 55 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Maurice by E.M. Forster 4.08 avg rating — 59,635 ratings score: 3,522, and 36 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Lie With Me by Philippe Besson 4.26 avg rating — 69,931 ratings score: 2,828, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin 4.34 avg rating — 270,122 ratings score: 2,746, and 28 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Charioteer by Mary Renault 4.11 avg rating — 6,681 ratings score: 2,454, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx 4.03 avg rating — 53,493 ratings score: 2,246, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (Goodreads Author) 4.51 avg rating — 219,507 ratings score: 2,136, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Tin Man by Sarah Winman 3.97 avg rating — 54,473 ratings score: 1,839, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	The Absolutist by John Boyne (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 24,103 ratings score: 1,763, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Persian Boy (Alexander the Great, #2) by Mary Renault 4.18 avg rating — 11,376 ratings score: 1,553, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill 4.10 avg rating — 9,837 ratings score: 1,551, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 81,926 ratings score: 1,535, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst 3.78 avg rating — 32,433 ratings score: 1,423, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann 3.93 avg rating — 6,332 ratings score: 1,369, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Comfort and Joy by Jim Grimsley (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 1,809 ratings score: 1,262, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood 4.05 avg rating — 38,215 ratings score: 1,255, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	In Memoriam by Alice Winn 4.49 avg rating — 81,592 ratings score: 1,156, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 92,319 ratings score: 1,149, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Less by Andrew Sean Greer 3.62 avg rating — 226,836 ratings score: 969, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Orlando by Virginia Woolf 3.87 avg rating — 118,359 ratings score: 868, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	My Policeman by Bethan Roberts 3.99 avg rating — 89,983 ratings score: 850, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Days Without End (Days Without End, #1) by Sebastian Barry 3.97 avg rating — 27,453 ratings score: 841, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	The Binding by Bridget Collins (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 89,069 ratings score: 785, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Tales of the City (Tales of the City #1) by Armistead Maupin 3.99 avg rating — 48,229 ratings score: 762, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The City and the Pillar by Gore Vidal 3.84 avg rating — 10,488 ratings score: 668, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Now and Then by William Corlett 4.18 avg rating — 760 ratings score: 635, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar 4.21 avg rating — 36,941 ratings score: 583, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Dove in the Belly by Jim Grimsley (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 1,688 ratings score: 579, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	The Swimming-Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst 3.72 avg rating — 11,448 ratings score: 570, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Bitter Eden by Tatamkhulu Afrika 3.87 avg rating — 420 ratings score: 562, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	The Vintner's Luck (Vintner's Luck, #1) by Elizabeth Knox (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 3,684 ratings score: 490, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig 4.02 avg rating — 23,050 ratings score: 484, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	While England Sleeps by David Leavitt 3.96 avg rating — 2,368 ratings score: 472, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Wingmen by Ensan Case 4.40 avg rating — 393 ratings score: 468, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	A Place Called Winter (Harry Cane, #1) by Patrick Gale 4.12 avg rating — 10,831 ratings score: 452, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	After Elias by Eddy Boudel Tan (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 519 ratings score: 400, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Beijing Comrades by Beijing Tongzhi (Official Pseudonym) 3.96 avg rating — 1,573 ratings score: 392, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Surprising Myself by Christopher Bram 3.89 avg rating — 275 ratings score: 383, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst 3.33 avg rating — 12,015 ratings score: 375, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	In the Absence of Men by Philippe Besson 3.90 avg rating — 6,371 ratings score: 371, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Front Runner (Harlan's Story, #1) by Patricia Nell Warren 4.12 avg rating — 6,232 ratings score: 371, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Alec by William di Canzio 4.20 avg rating — 1,617 ratings score: 369, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Folded Leaf by William Maxwell 3.97 avg rating — 1,409 ratings score: 355, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran 3.98 avg rating — 10,876 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	A Horse Named Sorrow by Trebor Healey (Goodreads Author) 4.06 avg rating — 144 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Road Home by Michael Thomas Ford 3.90 avg rating — 515 ratings score: 290, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Ready to Catch Him Should He Fall by Neil Bartlett 3.67 avg rating — 765 ratings score: 289, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 423,578 ratings score: 284, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	A Perfect Waiter by Alain Claude Sulzer 3.66 avg rating — 643 ratings score: 275, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Clear by Carys Davies (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 27,546 ratings score: 274, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Hide by Matthew Griffin 3.69 avg rating — 1,083 ratings score: 270, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	The World and All That It Holds by Aleksandar Hemon 3.85 avg rating — 2,471 ratings score: 260, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	London Triptych by Jonathan Kemp (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 1,395 ratings score: 259, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Pryor Rendering by Gary Reed (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 88 ratings score: 246, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Proof of Love by Catherine Hall (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 627 ratings score: 246, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	The New Life by Tom Crewe (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 6,790 ratings score: 231, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	The Lookback Window by Kyle Dillon Hertz (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 717 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	American Scholar by Patrick E. Horrigan (Goodreads Author) 3.89 avg rating — 83 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	A Theory of Contemporary Rhetoric by Richard Andrews 3.75 avg rating — 4 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Catch Trap by Marion Zimmer Bradley 4.18 avg rating — 1,970 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park 3.67 avg rating — 17,941 ratings score: 195, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	War Against the Animals by Paul Russell 3.99 avg rating — 354 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Boys of Life by Paul Russell 3.87 avg rating — 264 ratings score: 192, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	English Animals by Laura Kaye 3.76 avg rating — 1,150 ratings score: 189, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The God in Flight by Laura Argiri 3.96 avg rating — 355 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson 4.25 avg rating — 37,350 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Light Fell by Evan Fallenberg 3.82 avg rating — 292 ratings score: 181, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon 3.60 avg rating — 5,887 ratings score: 181, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Real Life by Brandon Taylor 3.78 avg rating — 37,762 ratings score: 174, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	The Parting Gift by Evan Fallenberg 3.75 avg rating — 357 ratings score: 166, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	Queer by William S. Burroughs 3.48 avg rating — 24,246 ratings score: 156, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	An Ocean Without a Shore by Scott Spencer 3.73 avg rating — 621 ratings score: 152, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	After the Parade by Lori Ostlund (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 1,912 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	History of Violence by Édouard Louis 3.78 avg rating — 12,289 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	A Map of the Harbor Islands by J.G. Hayes (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 107 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Carpet Weaver by Nemat Sadat (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 910 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Look Down in Mercy by Walter Baxter 3.98 avg rating — 86 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Honeytrap by Aster Glenn Gray 4.18 avg rating — 1,605 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	A Falência by Júlia Lopes de Almeida 3.88 avg rating — 1,091 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu (Novel), Vol. 1 by Meng Xi Shi 4.12 avg rating — 6,618 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Alla and the Piano – The Russian Tragedy 1912 to 1924 by Morten Kvistgaard (Goodreads Author) 4.89 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	From Rags to Riches by Harry Molande (Goodreads Author) 4.85 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	De liefde (Een verhaal van liefde, ziekte en dood, #1) by Jonas Gardell 4.25 avg rating — 10,193 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	Father of Frankenstein by Christopher Bram 4.11 avg rating — 1,075 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	Guapa by Saleem Haddad 4.12 avg rating — 4,386 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	In the City by the Lake by Taylor Saracen 4.29 avg rating — 62 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	The Prince's Boy by Paul Bailey 3.37 avg rating — 373 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell 3.72 avg rating — 8,509 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 21,932 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	Last Summer by Michael Thomas Ford 4.02 avg rating — 790 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 28,703 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	Sea of Tranquillity by Paul Russell 3.94 avg rating — 403 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	The Story of the Night by Colm Tóibín 3.89 avg rating — 3,277 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	Last Night by Brendan Lemon 2.75 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurst 3.54 avg rating — 6,853 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	Camere separate by Pier Vittorio Tondelli 3.94 avg rating — 6,502 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	The Alexander Trilogy by Mary Renault 4.38 avg rating — 716 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
100	Cobalt Blue by Sachin Kundalkar 3.95 avg rating — 3,434 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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112 books · 266 voters · list created January 9th, 2014 by Rainbowheart (votes) .

Tags: adult, adult-fiction, fiction, gay, gay-men, lgbt, literary, literary-fiction, m-m, male, men, novel, romance, romantic

188 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (266)

Rainbowheart 2035 books
152 friends

Lori S. 3183 books
96 friends

Patrick 266 books
67 friends

Abiyasha 442 books
92 friends

Heydave 1137 books
0 friends

John 1399 books
55 friends

Patrick 2321 books
89 friends

Saturday's 2278 books
66 friends

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Comments Showing 1-29 of 29 (29 new)

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message 1: by Lori S. (new)

Jan 10, 2014 09:11PM

If the Beck books don't count, I apologize. I do think of them as more literary than romantic fiction for all that there romances at the heart of each.

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message 2: by Rainbowheart (last edited Jan 11, 2014 09:34AM) (new)

Jan 11, 2014 09:34AM

Hi Lori, thanks, yeah, a lot of these books are not what I would describe as literary fiction by mainstream publishers. Specifically, anything that's part of a series, anything that's published by a press like Kensington, etc....

I do think the Grimsley book fits since it was published by Algonquin, but the others really don't work for this list. Thanks for the suggestions though!

For people voting, if it helps to figure out the parameters, try thinking of books that are published by established authors or books that would be reviewed by a major mainstream outlet. If you can't imagine it being reviewed by the New York Times in their book section, then it doesn't belong on this list.

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message 3: by Lori S. (new)

Jan 11, 2014 10:12AM

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacke...
You might find this interesting.

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message 4: by Nemesis (last edited Jan 11, 2014 10:28AM) (new)

Jan 11, 2014 10:27AM

Too bad that are so many restrictions applied on this list. I had some titles in mind, but they don't fit all the rules.

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message 5: by Rainbowheart (new)

Jan 11, 2014 11:19AM

Lori, thanks for the link!

Nemesis, yeah, it's been tough finding titles. I realize I'm looking for a very specific category. There are already lists for general gay fiction and tons for m/m genre fiction, so I wanted a list for only literary romantic novels.

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message 6: by Aislinn (last edited Jan 17, 2014 04:18PM) (new)

Jan 17, 2014 04:08PM

There is a book I would definitely consider a literary gay romantic novel, Call Me by Your Name, reviewed quite favorably in the NY Times, with gorgeous, lyrical prose. But alas, one of the protagonists is 17, and you've excluded characters who haven't reached that external demarcation of adulthood.

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message 7: by Aislinn (new)

Jan 17, 2014 04:15PM

Actually, I'd suggest you change the name of the list to Adult Literary Gay Romantic Novels, since I see from the discussion in M/M that you've excluded a number of clearly literary novels, based on one or both of the character's ages.

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message 8: by Rainbowheart (last edited Jan 17, 2014 06:52PM) (new)

Jan 17, 2014 06:52PM

Aislinn, thanks! Do you think the title is confusing? "Literary" implies adult fiction since YA isn't categorized that way, and "Adult Literary Gay Romantic Novels" wouldn't stop people from putting adult fiction with teen characters on the list.

Plus it seems a bit .... like I'm looking for erotica? And erotica would definitely not be the point of this list. Explicit sex is certainly fine, but not necessary. All that's required to qualify for the list is a kissing scene, just so it's out in the open and not subtext.

But yes, I'm looking for characters 21+. 18+ would be ok if the book is historical. I'm just trying to avoid the whole high school and college student vibe. Looking for books involving relationships between adult men, not teenage boys.

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message 9: by Averin (new)

Jan 17, 2014 07:25PM

What about Michael Nava 's Henry Rios series? Favorably reviewed in NYT Book Review and others, Henry goes through four romances (if I remember correctly) and ultimately has a HEA. Originally published by gay publisher Alyson the series ended at Putnam.

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message 10: by Aislinn (new)

Jan 17, 2014 07:59PM

Literary doesn't really imply adult fiction for me, since YA is a relatively new term in the history of books, and seems more a marketing category than it does anything else. As you mention there is what you refer to as adult fiction with teen characters.

There are many coming of age stories in the grand tradition of literary fiction, so it seems this list is focused on a sub-category that is specific to adult characters. I get what you're saying about a possible misconception about it meaning erotica, but for me, excluding young adults from the equation eliminates a lot of literary fiction, so... *shrugs*

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message 11: by Rainbowheart (new)

Jun 22, 2014 01:49PM

I'm removing The Heart's History by Lewis DeSimone, since Lethe Press is certainly not a mainstream publisher. I'm still skeptical about the Kensington titles by Michael Thomas Ford, but perhaps the publisher is well known enough to qualify as mainstream?

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message 12: by Rainbowheart (new)

Jun 22, 2014 01:49PM

Averin, thanks, I think the Michael Nava series would be considered genre fiction (mystery) so as such would not be appropriate for this particular list.

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message 13: by Rainbowheart (last edited Jul 27, 2014 11:35PM) (new)

Jul 27, 2014 11:30PM

Removed Of Bodies Changed, which was self-published, fantasy, and added by the author promoting his own book.

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message 14: by Serena (new)

Aug 21, 2014 07:23AM

I'm thinking of Aubade, The Pelican Fables, Kevin, Orange Bitter, Orange Sweet, Gaywyck: A Novel, The Boys on the Rock and Tory's? I'll let you chose to add them or not.

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message 15: by Rainbowheart (new)

Sep 06, 2014 08:27AM

Removed Common Sons, which is also not mainstream press.

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message 16: by Skaivri (new)

Oct 12, 2014 09:27PM

I'm glad you started this list because it's hard to find M/M literary fictions. thanks.

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message 17: by Rainbowheart (new)

Sep 05, 2015 10:45AM

Removed Unsaid by Avery Aster. This title does not meet the requirements for the list.

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message 18: by Rainbowheart (last edited Feb 21, 2016 08:12PM) (new)

Feb 21, 2016 08:12PM

Removed Mikey and the Chickadee and Make Me Cum Again, neither of which belong on this list.

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message 19: by Lone (new)

Jun 16, 2017 09:27AM

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for this list! I didn't know how to express my preferred genre until now, and at least I know now that it isn't just me. I'm tired of this tsunami of self-published 200-page insta-love nonsense with characters built like pornstars with names like Cullen and Kayden and Maxxx Wolfstar. Where's the real adult gay romance at... (apparently here)! ☺

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message 20: by Rainbowheart (new)

Aug 31, 2017 08:49PM

Removed Dear Mona Lisa, which does not meet the requirements for the list.

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message 21: by Stevosteve (new)

Dec 03, 2017 09:05PM

Would you consider Brideshead Revisited?

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message 22: by Rainbowheart (new)

Jan 15, 2018 07:32PM

Removed Bait, which does not meet the requirements for this list.

Stevosteve, I love Brideshead Revisited, but since the romance is subtextual, it wouldn't qualify. Definitely a good addition to the Homoerotic Subtext list, though.

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message 23: by Rainbowheart (new)

Aug 10, 2018 11:14PM

Removed several books that do not fit the parameters for this list. Gay male fiction only, no lesbian fiction. No non-fiction. No self-published books.

Does Orlando by Virginia Woolf have a male-male kissing or sex scene? How about Memoirs of Hadrian?

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message 24: by Angyal9 (new)

May 18, 2020 06:00AM

Great list, I love the selection. Though I wonder how Michael Cunningham is not amongst the literary gay romantic novels? Maybe is it not romantic enough?

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message 25: by Rainbowheart (new)

May 14, 2021 01:10AM

Removed Soldiers First. Turns out this is non-fiction, not a novel.

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message 26: by Rainbowheart (new)

Feb 14, 2022 09:24PM

I had to remove several books for not fitting the rules of this list. Red, White & Royal Blue (genre romance), Something Like Summer (self pubbed, genre romance), The Colours I See (self pubbed), Top Secret (genre romance). Geography Club (YA), and God in Flight (self pubbed).

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message 27: by Rainbowheart (last edited Aug 23, 2023 06:36AM) (new)

Aug 23, 2023 06:27AM

Had to delete some of the same books again. Red, White & Royal Blue (genre romance), Something Like Summer (self pubbed, genre romance), along with Heartbreaker (YA), Unanimity (self pubbed, science fiction), and What If It's Us (YA).

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message 28: by Noahh (new)

Nov 18, 2024 06:11AM