There are no stars at all for some of us

[sovay]

Hey! Internet! I've just been talking about how much it sucks when a novel kills off its queer characters. Especially when there's, like, one of them and they're the one who doesn't make it. Can someone point me toward a list of books where that doesn't happen? Spoilers, whatever.

Comments

[sovay]

that Chaz Brenchley fella: his early thrillers are not reliable in this regard - he notoriously said that no one gets a free pass, into or out of his books

I have enjoyed many books where people of various sexualities don't make it to the endnotes. (I love strange_selkie's A Verse from Babylon and no one gets out of that novel alive, lesbian protagonists and supporting heterosexuals included.) I just finished reading a novel I was quite enjoying and then the sole queer character was killed—because of their sexuality—in an act of heroic self-sacrifice—and I didn't throw the book across the room, but it was just a tiny little gift-wrapped package of tropes I hate. So I thought I'd try something different, thanks.

but the epic fantasies, The Devil in the Dust et seq or Bridge of Dreams et seq, those certainly feature gay characters who don't die. Also that Daniel Fox person, Dragon in Chains et seq: you have to wait a while, but there they are. Not dying.

Thank you for this wholly disinterested recommendation!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Heh. I could make a case that I am indeed disinterested, as I shall certainly not see a penny from any investment you might choose to make in those titles - but nah, let's not bother.

Later in the year there will be a collection of my gay-themed short stories, in which some characters don't die. Indeed, one is apparently incapable of dying, despite the best efforts of several stories. Though another balances that by dying again and again, in story after story.

[sovay]

I could make a case that I am indeed disinterested, as I shall certainly not see a penny from any investment you might choose to make in those titles - but nah, let's not bother.

. . . Are they all out of print? Or is there some publishing tomfoolery I don't know about?

Indeed, one is apparently incapable of dying, despite the best efforts of several stories. Though another balances that by dying again and again, in story after story.

Heh. I am looking forward to Bitter Waters; I know they're not themed similarly past the title and I presume something of the style, but Blood Waters was great.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

It's not that they are out of print, tho' some are; it's just that sales hereafter will never pay off the advances, so it really makes no difference. *sighs heavily*

I hope you enjoy Bitter Waters. People want to tell me it's a good collection.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I want to tell you it's a good collection, and am looking forward to being in a position to do so. It has the BEST cover (even better at big print size)!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Heh - did you guys get a print? That's so cool...

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Yup, and it arrived just before we set off, which is good, and no-one has asked me for imprt duty or anything, and doesn't it look good?

You have one, I take it?

[desperance.livejournal.com]

We do! Still need to get it framed, but we have it and it's ours and possession is nine tenths of an art collection, maybe.

[sovay]

It has the BEST cover (even better at big print size)!

Excuse me while I hang out and envy . . .

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

Envy is entirely excusable...