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Queer: A Graphic History (Graphic Guides) Paperback – September 8, 2016

4.7 out of 5 stars 1,045 ratings

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'Queer: A Graphic History Could Totally Change the Way You Think About Sex and Gender' Vice

Activist-academic Meg-John Barker and cartoonist Jules Scheele illuminate the histories of queer thought and LGBTQ+ action in this groundbreaking non-fiction graphic novel.

From identity politics and gender roles to privilege and exclusion, Queer explores how we came to view sex, gender and sexuality in the ways that we do; how these ideas get tangled up with our culture and our understanding of biology, psychology and sexology; and how these views have been disputed and challenged.

Along the way we look at key landmarks which shift our perspective of what's 'normal' - Alfred Kinsey's view of sexuality as a spectrum, Judith Butler's view of gendered behaviour as a performance, the play Wicked, or moments in Casino Royale when we're invited to view James Bond with the kind of desiring gaze usually directed at female bodies in mainstream media.

Presented in a brilliantly engaging and witty style, this is a unique portrait of the universe of queer thinking.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fresh interpretations and clever illustrations help bring new life to academic constructs and an understanding of the intersection of biology, psychology, and modern culture." — The Washington Blade

"[
Queer] succeeds in opening its rarified subject matter to nonacademic audiences and disrupting assumptions and preconceptions about gender and sexuality, not to mention race, class, and the idea of 'normal.'. . . .Former undergrads will wish they had such resources when they were hacking through this difficult material." — Library Journal

"[
Queer has] unexpected, extraordinary wit and erudition...the graphic-novel format proves exceptional at exploring identity politics, gender, biology, privilege, exclusion, and sexology through a queer lens...one small step for queer theory." — Foreword Magazine

"
Queer is a great primer that will open ideas and start a great search for even more details. Perfect for when you find yourself stuck in conversations outside of your small talk repertoire. This book will make a great addition to your library of queer essentials." — Lambda Literary

["
Queer] is for the funky free thinker." — OUT Magazine

"a self-contained and utterly riveting seminar in gender theory, queer thought and LGBTQ+ action... this should be required reading for every student." —
Largehearted Boy

"This invaluable book by Dr. Barker and illustrated by Scheele is a friendly introduction to the vast, deep, chaotic sea of (almost) everything 'Queer'." — Erika Moen,
Oh Joy Sex Toy

About the Author

Meg-John Barker is the author of a number of popular books on sex, gender, and relationships, including Queer: A Graphic History, Gender: A Graphic Guide, How To Understand Your Gender, Life Isn't Binary, Enjoy Sex (How, When, and IF You Want To), Rewriting the Rules, The Psychology of Sex, and The Secrets of Enduring Love. They have also written a number of books for scholars and counsellors on these topics, drawing on their own research and therapeutic practice. Websites: rewriting-the-rules.com, megjohnandjustin.com. Twitter: @megjohnbarker, Instagram: @meg_john_barker.





Jules Scheele is an illustrator, graphic facilitator and comic book artist. Jules runs One Beat Zines, a feminist zine collective and distributor. @julesscheele

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Icon Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 8, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1785780719
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1785780714
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 16 years and up
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.85 x 0.6 x 10 inches
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1270L
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 1,045 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,045 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the graphic history book to be a good introduction to complex subjects, particularly queer theory, and appreciate its accessible approach. The book is beautifully illustrated, with one customer noting its effective balance of graphics and text, and customers find it entertaining to read. They also value its theoretical content, with one review highlighting its exploration of seemingly conflicting ideas.

33 customers mention "Information quality"31 positive2 negative

Customers find the book provides a good introduction to complex subjects, particularly queer theory, while remaining engaging and educational.

"absolutely great overview of queer theory. I've already recommended it to friends...." Read more

"This is one of the most accesible and best versions of queer theory that I have ever read. I'd strongly recommend for everyone." Read more

"Read with our college student for their Queer Studies class. Great information, entertaining layout." Read more

"The idea behind this text is to use comics along with more accessible language to provide a guide to the history and development of queer theory in..." Read more

26 customers mention "Readability"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and entertaining, describing it as well done and a worthwhile purchase.

"Great book." Read more

"...Great graphic visuals thrown in too." Read more

"this is such a great read!!..." Read more

"Entertaining and so good at describing/explaining complex ideas..." Read more

11 customers mention "Visual quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual presentation of the book, finding it beautifully illustrated and particularly praising its exploration of false binaries.

"I loved the look at false binaries and the breaking down of a lot of very academic language into concepts that could be easily absorbed by the lay..." Read more

"...Great information, entertaining layout." Read more

"...It is beautifully illustrated, very easy to read, and teaches a lot. Worth it!" Read more

"...The illustrations are excellent and they even acknowledge the restriction of lacking people of color getting their acknowledgement...." Read more

4 customers mention "Theory"3 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the book's theoretical approach, with one mentioning how it explores seemingly conflicting ideas.

"...This book is filled with lots of interesting seemingly conflicting ideas, yet it very much works for me. I recommend it!" Read more

"...It deals a lot at a more theoretical level." Read more

"...My main take-aways were that queer theory abhors binaries, queer theory doesn’t hold much with essences, and queer theory is rather ill-defined and..." Read more

"Fascinating and accessible!..." Read more

Very Interesting Book
5 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting Book
Bought this as a required text for a LGBTQ+ Studies class. Book came in perfect condition, no scratches or bends. It’s really a quick read because of the graphic nature of the book and gives a great overview of things like queer theory, identity, psychology, important members of the LGBTQ+ community, etc. Highly recommend this read!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Read with our college student for their Queer Studies class. Great information, entertaining layout.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The stated aim of this book is to bring out some of the main ideas of queer theory. I’ll hazard a guess that the audience is undergraduate students taking a first or second course in gender and sexuality studies. Bright high school students will benefit, too, and this book belongs in high school libraries. I doubt the book is intended for more advanced scholars. My main take-aways were that queer theory abhors binaries, queer theory doesn’t hold much with essences, and queer theory is rather ill-defined and kind of a mash-up, probably containing the seeds of its own self-destruction.
    The idea that gender roles are socially constructed and performed, as indeed is human activity in general, is obvious enough these days. Feminism has a lot to say about this too, of course, and performance varies across cultures/races/social class & etc. To make progress in the study of these things, then, requires a difficult decision—what to leave out (temporarily) in order to have something simple enough to understand, and what to leave in. If you put ‘everything’ in right at the start then you have no general theory. The result is that queer theory is in constant tension with itself.
    I think though, that perhaps too much is made of the idea of fluidity. Certainly genders and sexual orientations are fluid to some extent, but for any particular individual they are also constrained. More needs to be made of the reality of these constraints.
    I found in this book a lack of distinction between sexual orientation and performance of sexual orientation. The constraints for sexual orientation may be more loose than those of sex, but they are still real. Performance of sexual orientation is another thing entirely.
    The quote of Harry Hay is apt to be hugely misunderstand. In this book it is presented without a suitable context.
    In spite of these criticisms, which may be more of queer theory than the book, the book succeeds in its aim. Spryly recommended.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The idea behind this text is to use comics along with more accessible language to provide a guide to the history and development of queer theory in particular and the study of sexual behavior and gender more generally. It mostly succeeds.

    I say “mostly” because some elements of queer theory formidably resist simplification. As the authors themselves accurately remind us, queer theory is a discipline that refuses to be disciplined. It is constantly changing, morphing, and transforming into something that it currently isn’t, might have been in the past, might have claimed it certainly wasn’t in the past, and will most definitely be different tomorrow. That is the beauty and the enigma of it.

    For those entirely unfamiliar with queer theory, this text will provide an approachable introduction. For those who know just enough to question how much they know (I count myself in this group), it will clarify some ideas and complicate others—which is kind of the point. Nothing is ever “either/or,” according to queer theory. Especially not queer theory.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I love this book so much!!! It is just so beautifully written and it packs in such a vast and important group of knowledge and history and experiences.

    As a queer mom of a queer kid and a former teacher and lifelong student whose memory of all the awesome stuff I learned in grad school has basically gone out the window, this book helped reignite areas of my brain in a fun and relatively easy and accessible manner!

    You should totally get it, and it would make an awesome gift for all of the queers in your life or anybody who is interested in queer theory and queer life! Buy multiple copies! Do it!!!
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Wish I'd had this book last semester, when I was slogging through dense literary theory and straining to understand it. Besides providing an excellent overview of queer theory, this book breaks down a lot of the usual meaningless grade school buzzwords into terms that actually make sense and apply to reality in some way. If you're in grad school or thinking of enrolling, this book is a great tool for helping you master the specific dialect of academic jargon that English professors love.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a great book for people looking to step their toes into queer studies! It is beautifully illustrated, very easy to read, and teaches a lot. Worth it!
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Purchased this for a class and have found myself reaching back for it consistently. It contains a good overview of different facets and philosophies within queer theory. It's perfect for someone looking to learn a little more or to help teach others difficult concepts in a way that is non-threatening, concise, and attention grabbing while also practicing what it preaches in "queering" our approach to learning. A worthwhile purchase all around, and a book that I will happily keep on my shelf for a long time.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Shubhajit
    5.0 out of 5 stars Queen is what we do
    Reviewed in India on February 19, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you are intrigued about queer and its origin what it means vis a vis sexuality, gender identity, and cultural criticism, then this graphic book is a must-have handbook. Reading this is a starter. The lesson lies in your queering the heteronormativity around us.
  • Lucas L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Esclarecedor!
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 18, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A leitura é repleta de referências acadêmicas simplificadas e de ilustrações sempre muito informativas. Isso possibilita a compreensão de diversas vertentes referentes às teorias Queer, às outras questões precedentes e aos diversos problemas dentro do debate levando em consideração variáveis como raça, status social, cultura e mais. É um livro muito esclarecedor e que me facilitou bastante o entendimento das limitações binárias e os problemas em tentar categorizar vivências individuais em grupos. Recomendo!
    Report
  • Leonard
    5.0 out of 5 stars A clear first approach to Queer theory.
    Reviewed in France on June 18, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book didn't give me all the answers I needed but it helped a lot.
    It's quite clear, easy to read, and I would recommend it.
  • Paola G
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy buen libro
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 21, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Es una novela gráfica tanto informativa como divertida, te dan ganas de investigar y conocer más. Los materiales e impresiones del libro son de muy buena calidad, totalmente recomendable para quienes quieran saber del tema.
  • Alicia R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book does a wonderful job of briefly describing the history of queer theory ...
    Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book does a wonderful job of briefly describing the history of queer theory in an accessible way. It is engaging and fun to read.