A monthly book club focusing on queer gothic writing. Every month we choose a book (or selection of shorter texts) by LGBTQ+ authors, or featuring queer characters/themes to read and discuss together. We alternate between classic and contemporary texts.

December: break

January’s book: Moby Dick by Herman Melville.

As Moby Dick is quite a long book, there’s the option to read an abridged version that still keeps most of the plot. Feel free to read as much or as little as you want.

This cut-down version should come to about 300~350 pages (depending on your version), or about 110,000 words.

Chapter 1 “Loomings” through till the end of Chapter 42 “The Whiteness of the Whale”, (but skipping Chapter 32 “Cetology”). 

Chapter 94 “A Squeeze of the Hand”

Chapter 109 “Ahab and Starbuck in his cabin”, and then Chapter 110 “Queequeg in his Coffin”

Chapter 119 “The Candles” through ’til the end of the Epilogue. 

(though bear in mind occasionally different versions will have slightly different chapter numbering/naming)

Please book in advance. If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to someone else.

Venue & Accessibility
The event is located at the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive in Edinburgh Palette. There is information on how to get to us on public transport and by car, along with access information, on our location & accessibility page.

Any other questions
Please email us: themenaces@lavendermenace.org.uk