Queer as Folklore by Sacha Coward was such an enlightening read! I’d give it a solid 4 stars. The book dives into how LGBTQ+ identities have always existed in folklore, using myths and legends to explore queerness throughout history. One of the standout stories for me was the Greek tale of Achilles and Patroclus, reimagined as a deep, romantic relationship. I loved how Coward brought nuance and humanity to their bond, revealing queer history that often gets erased.

While a few sections felt a bit repetitive, the overall experience was eye-opening and full of charm. If you’re into folklore and queer history, this is a must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for the ARC.

I found this really well researched and open to the possibilities within the folklore discussed. It does so with respect to the sources, an understanding that how we describe our identities now may not be the exact words they would use in the past, and that not all of it is good representation to modern standards. It does largely focus on Western folklore because that is the writer's background, and out of respect for cultures he doesn't belong to. He mentions other cultures, but doesn't go in-depth like he does with Greek, British, Nordic, and Celtic folklore. I get being respectful, but I also feel like LGBTQIA people from other cultures want to see their identities represented in the conversation, too.

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This book was so much fun while being so informative. I'm always looking for a book full of whimsy, and bonus points if it can feature queerness. This book was sassy and engaging, and highly recommend for anyone who loves folklore.

thanks to netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of queer as folklore!

if you have any interest in how queerness and legend/mythical creatures/folklore intersect, you should pick this one up. it is part story, part analysis, but it is incredibly easy to read and does not come across as overwritten as i can sometimes find nonfiction to be.

While the concept was intriguing and I the information interesting, this reads like a anthropology dissertation. It is text heavy with very little illustrations or stories to break up the information slog. The information is great and well compiled and researched, so if you are okay with reading something very academic, this may be for you. Personally, I found it really hard to get through. I think this had the potential to be very fun and creative but instead leaned to research and education focused.

I struggle with nonfiction sometimes as it can be quite dense or monotonous, but I was really intrigued to read this book as it sounded like something I’d find super interesting and don’t know much about…and I really enjoyed it!

You can tell this book has been so incredibly well researched, and what I loved is how it covers a broad range of cultures across the globe. The writing style was really engaging, and nicely links these stories and the past to why they are still relevant in the present day.

I do think this is a book best read across a period of time rather than all in one go, as there is a lot of stories and history to digest, but its one that is an enjoyable read nonetheless!

This was an interesting read with a lot of information and fascinating stories regarding folklore through a queer lens. The writing is informative and succinct and it's an enjoyable read.

5*

I thoroughly enjoyed this walk through folklore and mythology with a queer lens. It was inclusive, entertaining, and extremely interesting.

Coward's writing leads with passion for the subject and brings the reader along for an easy and enjoyable ride.

Queer As Folk Lore by Sacha Coward The book is broken up into different themes from fairytales to even horror movies. I really wanted to read this book thinking that would be folklore and fairytale stories with LGBT characters in it and although I don’t mind the authors opinionated narrative I do think in some cases he either quoted people that their whole identity is being a victim or sees signs in certain situations that really aren’te there like in the case when they are talking about the exorcist and someone he interviewed said that of course they would it would be a little girl with men trying to change her, as if there was something wrong with them trying to get a demon out of the little girl. I found that a weird analogy in my opinion a very wrong one. Not everything ever written means something else sometimes things are just what they are or maybe it was said sarcastically and just didn’t translate either way I do think the author did a great job gathering stories I had never heard of and think should be more popular than they are. Although I wouldn’t take everything in the book for gospel truth I do think the narrative is very interesting and entertaining for those who love fairytales folklore ETC should definitely read this book. I do want to say kudos to the author for doing his due diligence because there were so much in this book I didn’t see or I didn’t think of while seeing it the first time. This is a book I definitely recommend. #NetGalley,#UnboundBooks, #SachaCoward, #QueerAsFolklore,

I’m not really sure how to review a non-fiction read. My usual CAWPILE method doesn’t really work here, but at the same time this was a book I loved getting deeper into.
As a queer historian myself I loved reading about mythology and folklore in all its forms, and how the queer experience is so intrinsically linked with the stories and legends that have shaped societies the world over. The author has researched each folkloric creature and figure so thoroughly and presented the information in an easily accessible manner, and I will definitely be reading more from them in the future.

This book was informative but still humorous. It gave a lot of information while also sharing what has been removed and hidden. I enjoyed that the book not only discussed stories that were explicitly queer, but also stories that were metaphors and eluded to queerness without being direct. Something I thought the author handled well was how we label people, characters, and ideas with modern language, which may have not existed or differed at that time, and making sure the language is accessible and easily understood while not overstepping.

For anyone who enjoys myth, tales and legend! I'm a sucker for any book which deals in folklore and Sacha Coward's book has not disappointed. The LGBTQIA+ history behind some of the most well known tales is often hidden and Coward shines light on their origins in a fun and informative way. I particularly enjoyed reading about the oceanic mythical beasts, especially mermaids and their allegorical queerness.

Sacha Coward has a fantastic and engaging voice for non-fiction. I had a lot of fun reading this and love seeing myths and folklore we've always known through a queer lens, which is a lens I always want to be looking through! Queer people belong everywhere, including the in-between spaces and the mythical. Sacha took great care to latch on to the stories and never assume or assign anyone's identity, which I think was fantastic. I've already been recommending this one!

This book gave so many little facts that made my heart sing.

Of course we all know that queer people always existed. That we might be hidden in history but nontheless always existed. But what if we go back, and uncover every little corner where we might have been before? What if we look deeper into history and see how we were maybe essential to the stories we all grew up with? This simple premise sounded a lot of fun to read, but only when I was a few chapters in I realized how much I actually needed a book like this. This book made me squeal, smile, share little facts to all my friends. I needed this reminder that yes we really have been here since the start. And reminding me it did in the best way possible.

This book takes for each chapter a different creature and that was a lot of fun. Instead of going chronological it was held together by themes. This way we read many little stories why a unicorn might be tied to queer people. Ever time I was suprised to see there were more ways we are connected to each folklore creature. I didn't expect that each of them had so many ties to queer people. Reading about all of them was thus really a big good time.

I also want to talk about how respectful this book was for historical people. It held the right balance of reading between the lines of written history, while still not assuming big things. It definitely hinted towards a lot of things but wouldn't put labels down on people. Gendernonconforming historical people were called gendernonconforming instead of straight up trans for example. Gendernonconforming is a descriptive that definitely was accurate for them, and doesn't label them with an identity like trans is. I felt like the book did this really well.

Concluding this book is amazing if you're queer and want to know more facts about how we're rooted in the stories of the world.

The book explains in depth and to the point so many correlations between folklore creatures (from fairies and unicorns to vampires and witches) and the queer community. Different cultures and the way in which they welcome or do not welcome LGBTQIAPK+ people are analysed, without ever making judgments and always using a lucid and conscious gaze. Very sensitive issues and moments in queer history are also touched upon, outlining a close connection between the fantasy imagery of a culture and the way in which those who do not fit into ‘normality’, those who make themselves ‘queer’ in some way, are treated. The language used is accessible and the reading is smooth and enjoyable, even very enriching. We move from myths and legends to stories of people who really existed, trying to take a look at the sources of many different peoples and in different eras. For example, when talking about the unicorn, we move from Greco-Roman sources to Chinese or Japanese ones; when talking about mermaids, we move to practically all continents.
For those who love folklore, this book is very interesting. Similarly, I would recommend it to those who want to find out more about the symbols or the ways in which different queer communities represent themselves: it is not a given that people dress up as mermaids or have unicorn pins at pride events!

Queer as Folklore is a really fascinating dive into queer histories in folklore and mythology. Sacha Coward’s writing is engaging, making complex topics easy to follow, even if you’re not a folklore expert. The chapters cover a wide range of creatures, from mermaids to robots, and I loved seeing how these figures have evolved with queer connections over the centuries. Some chapters were definitely more captivating than others, but each one offered insightful takes. It’s not a dry history lesson—Coward brings the subject to life in a way that’s fun to read. If the topic interests you, it's worth checking out!

This book explores the stories that have shaped queer identities, looking at the ways that myths have been used, by both the queer community and wider society, to explain queer identities.

The book explores a vast variety of stories from a wide array of sources. It looks at myths whether they emerge from ancient texts or popular cultural artefacts. In addition, it ranges across the globe. Its wide scope is both a strength and a weakness. It’s breadth gives the book a strength and depth that lends a weight to its arguments. However, it, also, gives the book a breathless quality, hopping from one location to another, without giving the reader an opportunity to take a breath and enjoy the vistas. It feels cluttered and busy.


Despite this it is still an interesting read and a good starting point in your journey to understand queer folklore, an interesting way to understand queer stories.

This has by far been my favourite nonfiction read in ages. What an incredible curation and fantastic example of how we can talk about queer history.

Loved learning about the all the various ways queer identities can be found in (or have been removed from) folklore throughout history. This is a great book to pick up for anyone who wants to learn more about the intersection of folklore and queer identity. I did find the format hard to read digitally on my kindle, but i imagine that will get fixed in the final product it just made my personal experience a little more challenging.

With a clever title and an engaging tone of voice, queer historian Sacha Coward expertly intertwines ancient folklore with contemporary pop culture, creating a web of associations that will resonate with most contemporary queer people in Western countries. From mermaids to aliens, new and old legends come together to explore why queer people seem to have an innate tendency to be drawn to the fantastical from a young age. Although this book is heavily written through a Western lens, other folklore is mentioned and explored with respect for the cultures they belong to, taking the reader on a breathtaking journey through time, places, and myths.

Coward is a talented writer and meticulous historian, and that shines through his work. With each word he writes, the reader is both transported in time and invited into an ongoing conversation with the author. Reading this book feels like being in that one fun class you look forward to every week, with the engaging teacher who values input and talks about history as though it's a story, giving flesh and voice to ancient humans and making them feel so much closer to us.

I had the pleasure of attending the ‘Queer as Folklore’ book release event in London, which really solidified my review of the book. It was an enriching experience, and hearing the voices of other queer people, researchers, and storytellers building up momentum to the main conversation culminated in a memorable and well-spent evening.

This is a book I highly recommend to lovers of history and the fantastical, or to anyone who fancies an engaging and fun non-fiction read to get them out of a reading slump!

Thank you Unbound for providing an ARC for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.