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Book Chat:
Gay Transgender Fiction

By Elizabeth Parker


Until now, all the books I've introduced to you have been solidly in the mainstream fiction category. This month's books are still mainstream, but are written from the gay culture point of view and will probably find their largest audience in the gay community. These books are a mixed blessing from a transgender view point. On the positive side, these books contain more crossdressing per word than other types of mainstream fiction. However the descriptiveness of clothing and feelings regarding the impersonation are lacking. The emphasis is more on the hero's relationships and their witty dialog. Also, the sex might be of less interest to those with strictly heterosexual leanings. But no transgender book library would be complete without these gems.

A recently published book in the genre is "Death Wore a Smart Little Outfit", by Orland Outland. It exemplifies a trend I hope to see continue; that of transgender hero(ines). The hero is Doan McChandler, a San Francisco man of all talents. Doan seems to hold down quite a few different jobs simultaneously, the particular one depending on what plot twist is needed next. One enduring one is that of personal maid to Binky, a dynamic woman who clerks for the police department. Doan and Binky became friends when they both tried to get the same bottle of wine for a date.

Besides being a faboulously witty gay man, Doan also dresses in women's clothing 100% of the time. He makes no effort to pass as a woman, merely preferring the clothing. However because of his slender build and long blond hair, Binky had trouble believing he was a man at first. The book is contradictory on this point however, because several times later in the book the author notes the reactions of people who see a man in a dress.

One of Doan's many jobs is that of paid companion to wealthy women. One of those women tries to shield her wealth from her husband, and sends Doan on a mission around the world to place her money in different banks. The husband is ahead of her however and sends a man after Doan to retrieve the money. This leads to Doan's introduction to a sexy male detective whom Doan desires greatly. However the detective falls for Binky instead leaving Doan forlorn. But Doan is like the Unsinkable Molly Brown. He manages to find romance several times throughout the book.

Another plot element is that of a killer who is slaying artists. Doan and Binky are dragged unwillingly into the investigation, but once involved, another of Doan's talents is revealed; master organizer. The book moves fast and the plot twists are furious. And Doan becomes a hero in a dress.

So just get this book, sit back and enjoy the ride. You'll get enjoyable crossdressing in the best self-actualized sense, witty repartee in the best drag queen tradition, enjoyable and unique characters, and a decent plot.


The next book is written by one of my favorite playwright/actors, Charles Busch. As you may know Busch is the playwright who writes clever plays with strong female leads, and plays the leads himself. He has now written a novel, "Whores of Lost Atlantis", which is the thinly disguised story of his life. The book is about struggling performer and drag queen Julian Young, whose ambition in life is to be Sarah Bernhardt. He was raised by his wealthy Aunt Jennie, a bohemian character, and was inspired by her wardrobe in our best TG fiction tradition. Initially frustrated in his ambitions, his career gets a new lease on life when he happens on a performance space in the East Village. Agreeing to perform a play he hadn't written yet, Julian hurriedly dashes one off during his day job as a temporary secretary. The book is the story of the struggle to put on the play and of the bizarre characters who agree to participate.

Temperamental performance artist Kiko threatens to ruin his play, male stripper Buster has trouble learning his lines, Camille, the stage manager, is a 40ish fag hag, who Julian starts to fall in love with, Gary, a children's magician, Joel, his college roommate and aspiring lawyer, Zoe, a mystery waif, and Perry, a manic-depressive. When Roxie, a brassy dame, agrees to replace for Kiko, the show is goes on.

Once again, the emphasis is on dialog and characterization, and Busch is really good at it. Having bought the book for the drag aspects, I found myself drawn into Julian's life. And the dialog is amazingly funny. So if you enjoy good characters and amusing dialog, buy this book.


There are other books in this genre which I'll introduce in upcoming months. A big thanks goes to Jen nifer Fitzgerald for the tip on Death Wore a Smart Little Outfit. If you know of some gay fiction involving transgendered individuals, let me know at 72117.571@compuserve.com.

Next month I've got a great black comedy for you, which I consider one of the best mainstream transgender books ever written.

Bibliography

Busch, Charles, "Whores of Lost Atlantis", Penguin, July, 1995, ISBN: 0140243917 (Paperback)

Busch, Charles, "Whores of Lost Atlantis", Hyperion, November, 1993, ISBN: 1562827804 (Hardcover)

Outland, Orland, "Death Wore a Smart Little Outfiti", Berkley, June 1997, ISBN: 0-425-15855-1

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