My intention with this essay is to analyze how lesbianism is described in Swedish youth literature. I have done a queer reading of three books written in the 2000’s to find out if lesbian love is described as a problem, and if it isn’t: what it causing problems in the novels? When reading the novels I have also observed how the environment and the characters themselves perceive lesbian identity. The novels I have chosen are Det händer nu by Sofia Nordin (2010), Som eld by Sara Lövestam (2015) and Du och jag, Marie Curie by Annika Ruth Persson (2003). To apply queer theory I have used several concepts, such as heteronormativity, coming out, shame and internalized homophobia, when analyzing the texts.

The conclusion of my analysis is that one of the novels describes the lesbian love itself as a problem, while the other two are wider in their descriptions. Some characters are comfortable in their lesbian identity, while some are struggling with shame and coming out-issues. My final conclusion is that it is heteronormativity that is causing problems in the novels, not lesbianism.