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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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