Masculinity in Lesbian “Pulp” Fiction

Disappearing Heteronormativity?

Paul Thompson (University of St Andrews, UK)

$284

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Routledge
28 June 2024

Literary studies: general; Social & cultural history; Gender studies: men; Sociology

Series: Routledge Research in Gender and Society

This book looks specifically and in depth, for the first time, at masculinity in cheap, lesbian-themed paperbacks of the two decades after WW2. It challenges established critical assumptions about the readership, and sets the masculinity imagined in these novels against the “masculinity crisis” of the era in which they were written.

The key issue of these novels is couplehood as much as sexuality, and the instability of masculinity leads to the instability of the couple. Thompson coins the term “heteroemulative” to describe the struggle that both heterosexual and homosexual couples have in conforming to heteronormativity.

As several of these novels have been republished and remain in print, they have taken on a new relevance to issues of sexuality and gender in the twentyfirst century, and this study will attract readers within that area of interest. A valuable read for sociologists studying gender roles, and social historians of the cold war period in the United States. It is suitable for readers of all academic levels, from undergraduate, through postgraduate, to scholars and researchers, but also for a general readership.

By: Paul Thompson (University of St Andrews UK)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 453g
ISBN: 9781032727981
ISBN 10: 1032727985
Series: Routledge Research in Gender and Society
Pages: 194
Publication Date: 28 June 2024
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction A mass literacy event: introducing the cheap lesbian paperback 1. Male agency, and “the immense social power that accumulates around masculinity?” 2. Female masculinity: Bannon, Beebo, and butchness 3. Female masculinity beyond Beebo 4. “Everyone gets married.” 5. Conclusion: Failure and another normality

Paul Thompson, PhD from University of St Andrew’s, Scotland, is a former career civil servant who, on retirement, decided to become a scholar. Paul’s research continues in lesbian-themed paperbacks, not only looking at the erasure of diversity and the overlap of trans narratives but also setting up an archive of the paperbacks in Special Collections at the Library of the University of St Andrews. Paul’s most recent publication is a chapter outlining the philosophical influences on Sebald in W.G. Sebald in Context.

Reviews for Masculinity in Lesbian “Pulp” Fiction: Disappearing Heteronormativity?

"""Using his gift for informed and inventive prose, and applying it to an unexplored topic, Paul Thompson has given us a unique view of masculinity in the lesbian-themed paperback fiction of the mid-20th Century."" Ann Bannon, author of the Laura Landon / Beebo Brinker novels ""Opening a critically neglected and often maligned archive of popular lesbian paperbacks from the mid-20th century, Thompson’s clear and accessible study fundamentally reshapes our understanding of American masculinity and sexuality."" Benjamin Bateman, author of Queer Disappearance in Modern and Contemporary Fiction"