Pride Month Literary Essentials

Rebecca van Besouw

As Pride month celebrates the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identity, representation in the literary world is increasingly important. For those interested in a range of local and international texts, here are ten books that examine and celebrate various aspects of the queer community.

They Called Me Queer - Kim Windvogel and Kelly-Eve Koopman

This collection of writings by many queer Africans includes essays, short stories, poetry, and letters. Showcasing the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community, it links history, identity, sexuality, and personal expression in a celebration of all things queer in South Africa.

Such a Lonely, Lovely Road - Kagiso Lesego Molope

Kabelo is destined to go to medical school and make his parents proud, but his perfectly planned life is thrown into disarray when he falls in love with childhood friend Sediba. Examining such topics as township life and compulsory heterosexuality, this novel is a heartbreakingly relevant tale of queer love in South Africa.

Collective Amnesia - Koleka Putuma

Koleka Putuma’s debut collection of poetry explores ideas of history, memory, religion, and the continued issues faced by Black women in South African society. Her poems offer an incisive look into the experiences of a queer woman who must navigate a world that does not accept her while still being true to herself.

You Have To Be Gay To Know God - Siya Khumalo

Drawing on Siya Khumalo’s experiences as a young man living in a Durban township, this book depicts the often uncomfortable relationship between Black queer identity, religion, sex, and politics. With refreshing honesty, it explores the complicated relationship many queer South Africans have with religion and cultural expectations.

The Quiet Violence of Dreams - K. Sello Duiker

Depicting the life of Tshepo, a university graduate who finds himself working at a gay massage parlour in Cape Town, this novel reflects the searing voice of its author. Though not for the faint of heart, it examines urban life in South Africa from a unique perspective.

Ace - Angela Chen

Angela Chen’s study of asexuality in a sex-obsessed society is a must-read for its depiction of the diverse spectrum of asexual people and their experiences. This book combines sociological research and personal memoir to ask pertinent questions about the nature of sex and desire (or lack thereof).

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

For anyone who is interested in mythology or epic love stories (or both), The Song of Achilles is a BookTok sensation for a reason. Set during the Trojan War, it is a gorgeously written and deeply affecting tale of young Patroclus and his love for famed warrior Achilles.

Gideon the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir

Gideon is a young queer woman living on a distant planet, who also happens to be a necromancer. This unique mix of science fiction and gothic fantasy features a fast-paced and exciting plot, as well as a plethora of queer characters. For anyone interested in fantasy, it is the perfect escape from the mundane world.

Under the Udala Trees - Chinelo Okparanta

Under the Udala Trees follows Ijeoma, a young girl who experiences civil war in Nigeria firsthand and is sent to live with family friends. There, she meets a girl who she eventually falls in love with, sparking conflict and causing her to realise the importance of living as one’s true self.

Meanwhile… - The Qintu Collab

Meanwhile… is a breathtakingly creative graphic novel written by several authors from Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. With beautiful art and engaging stories, it covers many aspects of the contemporary African queer experience, focusing always on the unfinished, the imperfect, and the human.