Books that Feature the Theme of Masculinity

This thematic Collection centers books that explore the concepts of manhood and masculinity. Through novels, plays, and literary genres, a diverse chorus of authors examines various interpretations of masculine identity and the masculine experience through coming-of-age stories, war narratives, and fantasy realms.

Venus in Furs

by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch

Publication year 1870

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Love & Sexuality, Psychology, Psychology, Romance, Classic Fiction

Venus in Furs (1870) is a novella by Austrian writer Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, first published as part of his proposed collection of short stories, The Legacy of Cain. Sacher-Masoch planned for the collection to detail his worldview, but he only completed the first two sections. The novella follows Severin von Kusiemski’s time with Wanda von Dunajew, a widow he meets at a health resort, and explores The Exploration of Sexual Power Dynamics, The Psychological Negotiation... Read Venus in Furs Summary

Voyager

by Diana Gabaldon

Publication year 1993

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hope, Love, Memory, Regret, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Race, Sexual Identity, Midlife, Death, Future, The Past, Environment, Family, Marriage, War, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction

... Read Voyager Summary

Wandering Stars

by Tommy Orange

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Hope, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Regret, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Coming of Age, Death, The Past, Grandparents, Mothers, Siblings, Colonialism, Community, Globalization, Politics & Government, Religion & Spirituality, Indigenous Identity

Tags Historical Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

... Read Wandering Stars Summary

We Can Remember It for You Wholesale

by Philip K. Dick

Publication year 1966

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Space, Masculinity

Tags Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Psychology, Technology, Philosophy, American Literature, Cold War, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

We Can Remember It for You Wholesale is a short story by renowned sci-fi author Philip K. Dick, first published in April 1966 in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. The story is about a man named Douglas Quail, who visits a medical facility which promises to implant fake memories about visiting Mars in his head. The story has twice been adapted into film, though both movie adaptations change the title to Total Recall... Read We Can Remember It for You Wholesale Summary

Welcome to the Monkey House

by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Publication year 1968

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Future, Politics & Government, Equality

Tags Science Fiction, Satirical Literature, Love & Sexuality, Postmodernism

“Welcome to the Monkey House” is a short story written by Kurt Vonnegut that was originally published in Playboy Magazine in 1968. It was republished in a short story collection entitled Welcome to the Monkey House that same year. Set in a not-too-distant dystopian future, Vonnegut uses science fiction to darkly satirize the moral restrictions on birth control in 1968. The characters of Nancy McLuhan, a suicide hostess responsible for administering lethal injections, and Billy... Read Welcome to the Monkey House Summary

We Who Wrestle with God

by Jordan B. Peterson

Publication year 2024

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Gender Identity, Justice, Religion & Spirituality, Perseverance, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Coming of Age, Death, The Past, Self Discovery, Fate, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos

Tags Psychology, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality

... Read We Who Wrestle with God Summary

What the Constitution Means to Me

by Heidi Schreck

Publication year 2017

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Nostalgia, Femininity, Gender Identity, Indigenous Identity, Masculinity, Race, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Family, Grandparents, Mothers, Politics & Government

Tags Drama, Comedy & Satire, Politics & Government, Women`s Studies, Immigration & Refugeeism, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature

... Read What the Constitution Means to Me Summary

Whisper Network

by Chandler Baker

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Teamwork, Social Class, Gender Identity, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Masculinity, Femininity

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Business & Economics, Bullying, Trauma & Abuse, Horror & Suspense, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Whisper Network Summary

Winger

by Andrew Smith

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Sexual Identity, Masculinity, Coming of Age

Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, LGBTQ+, Bullying, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

Winger is a young adult novel written by American author Andrew Smith and first published in 2013. It belongs to the genre of contemporary early 21st century teen fiction and garnered recognition from the American Library Association (ALA), Publishers Weekly, and the Junior Library Guild. Because of Winger’s storyline involving LGBTQIA+ issues, it was also chosen as part of the ALA’s 2014 Rainbow List in 2014, made up of books for children and young adults... Read Winger Summary

Women In Love

by D. H. Lawrence

Publication year 1920

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Sexual Identity, Femininity, Masculinity

Tags Romance, Classic Fiction, Relationships, British Literature, World History

IntroductionWomen in Love by D. H. Lawrence was written from 1913-1917 and published in America in 1920, though it wasn’t published in Britain until 1921. The novel’s publishing was delayed due to its prequel, The Rainbow, being banned. The Rainbow and Women in Love were originally intended to be two parts of one novel, but the publisher ultimately decided to publish them separately. Both novels feature conversations about sexuality that were considered explicit in their... Read Women In Love Summary