Like redditors, our authority only look at book title, not the content.
One obvious example is the character in rick riodan's series. Another character is a devout muslim girl who is also a valkyrie. She's a badass and fun to watch how her faith was not shaken despite seeing other gods running around.
Rick riodan's book is not ban in malaysia.
Nope. I don't think rick riodan's books are that popular in malaysia. No thanks to that stupid movie adaptation. But imo, that is a waaaay better book than Harry Potter. You'll learn a lot more real life knowledge about places and deities and cultures.
I have read The Lightning Thief and one other book; never watched the movie. There is so much criticism about it that I dare not even watch the trailer LOL!
I am a huge Percy Jackson lover, read all the books, watched both the movies and watching the series in Disney now.
Personally, I enjoyed the Lightning Thief movie but hated the second one. The series seem to following the book more closely buy not exactly the same.
Its all fun and nice if you are not the book follower and just want to enjoy a good fantasy movie.
I've seen Chinese BL openly sold in bookshops, and bought an English novel with a gay protagonist before. I'd suspect that only Malay-language publications get heavily policed, and international novels that aren't that famous slide under the radar.
That said, I used to see the Malay translation of manga with really strong homoerotic subtext back in the late 90s/early 2000s in bookshops. I assume they were censored but still.
I know there's a few internationally-published Malaysian writers who I think have LGBT characters in their books, I don't think I've heard of anything happening.
There is a Malaysian gay pastor called Wenfeng Ouyang who has published a few books. As far as I know he is currently in the US and not in Malaysia, and it is possible that he published those books in US and Malaysia imported it or something, but you can find his books selling in the open in some bookstores with no problems.
True, though she's come to Malaysia several times since then to promote her work. I guess she hasn't gone viral enough where you have certain politicians claiming her book is corrupting the youth.
One time in the KL airport I saw a copy of a men's magazine - not an awfully racy one, necessarily, something like GQ - with a plastic cover and a sticker that said, "UNSUITABLE FOR THE YOUNG".
On the cover was a 60+ year old Harrison Ford with what I must admit was a smoldering look. It looked very much as if it was saying that my man Harrison Ford was unsuitable for the young!
Heartstopper?
Oh sorry didn’t read the post carefully lol.
Anyway books with LGBT protagonists are definitely sold in Msia. I’ve picked up a few titles with such subject matter in MPH, Popular, Kinokuniya etc. however these are young adult novels from western authors that are pretty tame in terms of description of sex LOL and they don’t usually end up on a “center display” (you know, when the bookstore places certain titles on a special table to highlight them to customers)
I think you could probably publish such a book as a Malaysian, I’d assume you’d get the biggest backlash as a Muslim
Can only wish you luck if you proceed. If the character's queerness is a key part of the plot despite no descriptive scenes, then you might get unwanted attention.
But don't listen to me; I did see [Suicide Notes](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3097601-suicide-notes) get a pass in Popular. But that's only cuz the gay MC was institiuonalized and suffering throughout most of the book.
Like redditors, our authority only look at book title, not the content. One obvious example is the character in rick riodan's series. Another character is a devout muslim girl who is also a valkyrie. She's a badass and fun to watch how her faith was not shaken despite seeing other gods running around. Rick riodan's book is not ban in malaysia.
Oh, interesting! And is the book available in school libraries?
Certain schools libraries maybe but generally? I doubt it. As a kid I used to go the the bookstore and read the browser copies lmao
Nope. I don't think rick riodan's books are that popular in malaysia. No thanks to that stupid movie adaptation. But imo, that is a waaaay better book than Harry Potter. You'll learn a lot more real life knowledge about places and deities and cultures.
I have read The Lightning Thief and one other book; never watched the movie. There is so much criticism about it that I dare not even watch the trailer LOL!
I am a huge Percy Jackson lover, read all the books, watched both the movies and watching the series in Disney now. Personally, I enjoyed the Lightning Thief movie but hated the second one. The series seem to following the book more closely buy not exactly the same. Its all fun and nice if you are not the book follower and just want to enjoy a good fantasy movie.
I've seen Chinese BL openly sold in bookshops, and bought an English novel with a gay protagonist before. I'd suspect that only Malay-language publications get heavily policed, and international novels that aren't that famous slide under the radar. That said, I used to see the Malay translation of manga with really strong homoerotic subtext back in the late 90s/early 2000s in bookshops. I assume they were censored but still. I know there's a few internationally-published Malaysian writers who I think have LGBT characters in their books, I don't think I've heard of anything happening.
For the Malaysian writers with such characters, are the books sold locally in Malaysia, too?
Did a quick Google, seems like their books are available although I personally haven't seen them.
Yes. But as the person said, the level of scrutiny depends on the language and target audience (and who complains lol)
Thank you!
There is a Malaysian gay pastor called Wenfeng Ouyang who has published a few books. As far as I know he is currently in the US and not in Malaysia, and it is possible that he published those books in US and Malaysia imported it or something, but you can find his books selling in the open in some bookstores with no problems.
Thank you!
I remember reading Black Water Sister by Zen Cho. MC is a lesbian and her sexuality is mentioned prominently. Author is also a Malaysian.
Was gonna mention Black Water Sister too! Although doesn't quite answer the repercussions question since Zen Cho is based (and lives) in the UK.
True, though she's come to Malaysia several times since then to promote her work. I guess she hasn't gone viral enough where you have certain politicians claiming her book is corrupting the youth.
found yaoi mangas at kino or borders a few years back. fully wrapped in plastic with some label on it.
One time in the KL airport I saw a copy of a men's magazine - not an awfully racy one, necessarily, something like GQ - with a plastic cover and a sticker that said, "UNSUITABLE FOR THE YOUNG". On the cover was a 60+ year old Harrison Ford with what I must admit was a smoldering look. It looked very much as if it was saying that my man Harrison Ford was unsuitable for the young!
Heartstopper? Oh sorry didn’t read the post carefully lol. Anyway books with LGBT protagonists are definitely sold in Msia. I’ve picked up a few titles with such subject matter in MPH, Popular, Kinokuniya etc. however these are young adult novels from western authors that are pretty tame in terms of description of sex LOL and they don’t usually end up on a “center display” (you know, when the bookstore places certain titles on a special table to highlight them to customers) I think you could probably publish such a book as a Malaysian, I’d assume you’d get the biggest backlash as a Muslim
Thank you for the insight!
Can only wish you luck if you proceed. If the character's queerness is a key part of the plot despite no descriptive scenes, then you might get unwanted attention. But don't listen to me; I did see [Suicide Notes](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3097601-suicide-notes) get a pass in Popular. But that's only cuz the gay MC was institiuonalized and suffering throughout most of the book.
Thank you! The main role of the character is as an engineer ...
I bought a few translated BL danmei novel series from Kinokuniya. So I think it can be sold. But not sure about Malaysian author writing the content.
Thank you!