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.

As Brave As You

by Jason Reynolds

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Guilt, Siblings, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Race & Racism, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Animals, Anthropology, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

As Brave as You is a middle grade novel written by American author Jason Reynolds and published in 2016. It won several awards, including the Kirkus Award, the NCAAP Image award for children’s literature, and the Schneider Family Book Award, which recognizes superior depictions of disability in children’s literature. It was also chosen as a Coretta Scott King Honor book, awarded to African-American writers and illustrators for excellence in conveying the African-American experience in children’s... Read As Brave As You Summary

As Bright As Heaven

by Susan Meissner

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Family, Grief, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude, Hope, Loneliness, Love, Regret, Nostalgia, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Death, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II

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Ask Not

by Maureen Callahan

Publication year 2024

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Femininity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Family, Marriage, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags World History, Biography, Politics & Government, Gender & Feminism

... Read Ask Not Summary

A Storm of Swords

by George R. R. Martin

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Disability, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Climate, Place, Family, Self Discovery, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

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A Summer Tragedy

by Arna Bontemps

Publication year 1931

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Death, Masculinity, Aging

Tags Depression & Suicide, Great Depression, Harlem Renaissance, African American Literature, Poverty, Grief & Death

“A Summer Tragedy” is a short story written by poet and fiction author Arna Bontemps. It was originally published in 1933 in Opportunity and has since been included in multiple anthologies, including Bontemps’s 1973 short story collection The Old South: “A Summer Tragedy” and Other Stories of the Thirties. Bontemps is also known for the 1959 biography Frederick Douglass: Slave, Fighter, Freeman. Focusing on an elderly Black couple who have endured a difficult life of... Read A Summer Tragedy Summary

A Thousand Steps into Night

by Traci Chee

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Grief, Hope, Love, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality, Space, Animals, Place, Daughters & Sons, Friendship, Fathers, Family, Teamwork, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Social Class

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mythology, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Asian Literature, Japanese Literature

... Read A Thousand Steps into Night Summary

A View from the Bridge

by Arthur Miller

Publication year 1955

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Immigration, Masculinity, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Drama, Tragedy, Dramatic Literature, Education, Education, American Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

A View from the Bridge is a two-act play by American playwright Arthur Miller. Originally staged as a one-act on Broadway in 1955, Miller expanded the play to two acts and re-debuted the final version in London in 1956. Ten major revivals have been staged in New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, London, and Manchester since then. The play has received drama awards, including multiple Tonys, and has been adapted as feature films, TV movies, and... Read A View from the Bridge Summary

Bananas, Beaches And Bases

by Cynthia Enloe

Publication year 1990

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Family, Social Class, Community, Education, Globalization, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Women`s Studies, Education, Education, Gender & Feminism, Sociology, World History, Social Justice, Politics & Government

... Read Bananas, Beaches And Bases Summary

Beyond Magenta

by Susan Kuklin

Publication year 2014

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Community, Childhood & Youth, Family, Masculinity, Femininity, Self Discovery

Tags LGBTQ+, Coming of Age, Gender & Feminism, Biography

... Read Beyond Magenta Summary

Beyond Order

by Jordan B. Peterson

Publication year 2021

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Love, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Marriage, Self Discovery, Art

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Government, Science & Nature, Religion & Spirituality, Leadership

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Binding 13

by Chloe Walsh

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Love, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Family, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class

Tags Romance, Sports, New Adult, Modern Classic Fiction, Trauma & Abuse

... Read Binding 13 Summary

Blackouts

by Justin Torres

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Memory, Perseverance, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Friendship, Community

Tags LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction

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Bleachers

by John Grisham

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Teamwork, Community, Masculinity

Tags Sports, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Relationships

John Grisham, known best for writing legal dramas such as The Pelican Brief and The Firm, branches into writing for young adults with his sports drama, Bleachers. The novel was originally published in 2003 and is loosely inspired by Grisham’s own experience as a high school quarterback in Mississippi. Bleachers follows former all-American quarterback Neely Crenshaw, who returns after 15 years to his small hometown of Messina. Neely and the rest of the former players... Read Bleachers Summary

Bless Me, Ultima

by Rudolfo Anaya

Publication year 1972

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Masculinity, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Latin American Literature, Education, Education, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Bless Me, Ultima is a novel by American author Rudolfo Anaya (1937-2020). Published in 1972 by independent Chicanx publishing house TQS Publications, it is one of the first literary accounts of Chicanx culture to attain widespread acclaim in the United States. The novel is a semi-autobiographical account based on Ayana’s experience of coming of age in post-World War II New Mexico. Anaya explores themes of the Multiplicity within Chicanx Identity, Catholicism, Innocence Versus the Power... Read Bless Me, Ultima Summary

Blood Over Bright Haven

by M. L. Wang

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Hope, Regret, Revenge, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Death, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Place, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies, Race

Tags Fantasy

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Bonk

by Mary Roach

Publication year 2008

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Gratitude, Love, Shame & Pride, Disability, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Justice, Literature, Order & Chaos, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies

Tags Science & Nature, Love & Sexuality, Health, Psychology, Humor

... Read Bonk Summary