What we’re about
Sydney Gay Men of Letters is a book club for classic gay male writing. Books chosen will be fairly easily available, either from local bookshops, The Bookshop (207 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst), local council libraries, or free soft copies from the organiser (write to me at dalemills@cantab.net).
Although almost everyone there will be a gay man (as the title suggests), non-gay men and women are welcome. The only request, really, is that you read, or attempt to read, or listen, to the book.
Feel free to join the Facebook group to keep in touch with other members. https://www.facebook.com/groups/636542215866313
Upcoming events
4
A Thief's Journal (1949) by Jean Genet
The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Sydney, AU## Details
Meeting at the usual place, The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, at 7.00pm on Thursday 8 January 2026, we will be discussing A Thief's Journal by Jean Genet.
This partially autobiographical novel explores the author's progress through 1930s Europe, wearing little and enduring hunger, contempt, and fatigue. The protagonist is 'hot for crime' and romanticizes criminality and homosexuality.
Contact dalemills (at) cantab.net for a free pdf or Kindle-compatible file.
The Shakespeare Hotel is a busy inner-city pub, but we meet in a semi-private room upstairs, conducive for discussion. Many of us arrive around 6.00pm for drinks or food, and the meeting starts at 7.00pm. The format is that we have a focused discussion on the book till about 8.00pm, and then the meeting formally closes. Almost everyone stays back to further chat about the book or anything else.
##4 attendees
Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood
The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Sydney, AUMeeting at the usual place, The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, at 7.00pm on Thursday 12 Feburary 2026, we will be discussing Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood.
It is a semi-autobiographical novel set in 1930s Berlin, portraying the city’s poverty, decadence, and political unrest through bars, cabarets, and boarding houses, where queer and gender-nonconforming people lived and socialised. Meanwhile, the Nazis rose to power.
The novel inspired the musical Cabaret and its 1972 film adaptation starring Liza Minnelli.
Contact dalemills (at) cantab.net for a free pdf or Kindle-compatible file.
The Shakespeare Hotel is a busy inner-city pub, but we meet in a semi-private room upstairs, conducive for discussion. Many of us arrive around 6.00pm for drinks or food, and the meeting starts at 7.00pm. The format is that we have a focused discussion on the book till about 8.00pm, and then the meeting formally closes. Almost everyone stays back to further chat about the book or anything else.
##6 attendees
Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran
The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Sydney, AUMeeting at the usual place, The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, at 7.00pm on Thursday 12 March 2026, we will be discussing Dancer from the Dance by Alan Hollinghurst.
Dancer from the Dance is a 1978 gay novel. A defining work of gay fiction after Stonewall but before the AIDS crisis. Themes include beauty, loneliness, the pursuit of pleasure and the fleeting nature of youth.
Contact dalemills (at) cantab.net for a free pdf or Kindle-compatible file.
The Shakespeare Hotel is a busy inner-city pub, but we meet in a semi-private room upstairs, conducive for discussion. Many of us arrive around 6.00pm for drinks or food, and the meeting starts at 7.00pm. The format is that we have a focused discussion on the book till about 8.00pm, and then the meeting formally closes. Almost everyone stays back to chat about the book or anything else.
The Shakespeare is a 10 min walk from Central train station, almost opposite Surrey Hills Light Rail and local parking is reasonable. Access to the room requires walking up two small flights of stairs3 attendees
Past events
11
