A new gay novel, The Mystery Religions of Gladovia, has just been published by Taipei Times book reviewer Bradley Winterton. It’s available from Amazon, Google Books, or the UK publisher Matador. Price US$ 5.99. E-book only. There’s a webpage about it on Facebook - go to Themysteryreligionsofgladovia. Any similarities between Gladovia and Taiwan are purely co-incidental, apparently.
Some people are experiencing difficulties buying this e-book from Amazon.com here in Taiwan. But if you buy it from Google Books there are seemingly no problems.
Just finished reading the book, and I already want to reread it. A superb novel on so many different levels. Highly recommended for straight or gay readers alike.
Just throwing this out here, but what makes something a gay novel?
Based on my limited experience - i.e., this book - I would say it’s a novel that features a lot of gay characters,shagging, discussions of art and frequent visits to parks.
But seriously, I’m not sure what an exact definition would be. A gay novel is probably just one that is targeted at a gay audience. Why would a novel targeted at gays not appeal to a straight audience? The gay romance and sex I guess, so “gay novel” is in most cases a polite way of saying “gay erotica.”
After I read the review I understand what people mean by ‘gay novel’ in the context of this book. I’ve read Bradley’s reviews over the years he’s far too good a writer for the TT.
No longer any problems buying this novel from Amazon.com. The one friend who was trying without success was attempting to use Amazon.co.uk while in Taiwan.
Yea, I’m wondering also. Maybe a more appropriate term would be a new gay fiction novel, because calling something gay doesn’t really mean it is gay, or for gays, or has any connection to gay. Calling it a gay novel sounds like your own individual perception of it. Kind of like saying “A new gay shirt has just been put on the rack”, which doesn’t mean the shirt has anything to do with being gay, only that you think it does. Or “A new gay iPhone” has just been released when another way to say it would be “A new gay themed iPhone” has just been released, which gives a description of the iPhone, and not your opinion of the iPhone.
By they way, Crispin, can you give a review of it?
Winterton’s novel was reviewed very positively last week in the Taipei Times.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2015/12/24/2003635517
Here’s a stunning review from Eric Mader.
http://www.claytestament.blogspot.tw/2015/12/a-season-in-gaytopia.html
The novel also had a mention in the South China Morning Post. http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/books/article/1888021/book-reviews-new-fiction-anita-brookner-bradley-winterton-and-brooke
There’s an interview of Bradley Winterton up on Bookish Asia. It covers his new novel, music, theatre, and some personal matters.
He’s certainly very forthright about England. I don’t think he’ll be getting an OBE any time soon.