Post #1218159

@venetiana @thief_of_time one of my favorites is Cyteen, by C.J. Cherryh, but it is a psychological thriller and long and clever and the protagonist is a significantly nicer clone of a wicked and abusive original so it's a sustained tension and some abuse is described. So it may skirt your stated preferences. It's not my favorite because if its identity politics, but that's a bonus for me. I like how reading it makes me feel clever and emotionally articulate. Also old school but Le Guin is pretty casual and exploratory about sexuality and identity. And of course, Octavia Butler, especially the xenogenesis series. But because for them, identity was sort of primary in their generation, I guess they're not that casual. Newer school, Elizabeth Bear or Emma Bull have some good casually queer novels. Or at least identity is not the primary plot.