John Copenhaver on Parallels Between the Crime Novel and the Coming Out Narrative @ElectricLit @CutterStreeby @johncopenhaver

John Copenhaver discusses similarities between the crime novel and the coming-out novel. He begins by saying,

The act of coming out is an unveiling. Since queer people live in a straight, cis-gendered dominant culture, we have the burden of proclaiming our sexual orientation or our gender identity. As a narrative, the coming-out story is one we’re familiar with, and one we’ve embraced. Crime stories have a similar structure, which perhaps is why they resonate with queer readers and writers: the tension of withheld secrets, the satisfying snap of the puzzle pieces fitting together, the wonder of the reveal. We’re drawn to a narrative where the unknown becomes known. Where motives are made clear. Where identity is made evident.

Among the crime narrative he offers for inspection:  Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, Katherine V. Forrest's Apparition Alley, and Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley.

More here.