There are not many novels that are widely known as 'gay bondage vintage novels'. In the past, gay literature was often suppressed or not as openly explored. But if we consider works that have elements of power play and same - sex relationships, some of the works by James Baldwin could be considered in a broader sense. His works explored the complexity of human relationships including those within the gay community, though not directly in a 'bondage' context.
You could try looking in some specialized second - hand bookstores. They might have a collection of vintage novels that could include works related to gay themes. Some independent bookstores that focus on LGBT literature may also be a good place to start.
One example could be 'The City and the Pillar' by Gore Vidal. It was a significant work exploring gay themes in a different era. Another might be some works by James Baldwin which often delved into complex relationships and themes relevant to the gay experience in a more subtle way within a vintage context.
I'm not entirely sure of many novels that specifically combine 'gay' and 'bondage' in a vintage context. But some works from the 1970s and 80s started to explore gay relationships more openly. You might want to look into the works of Jean Genet. His novels often deal with themes of marginalized people, including gay characters, and have elements of power dynamics which could be related to the idea of bondage in a more metaphorical sense.
Aesthetic beauty was often emphasized. These novels not only told stories about gay characters but also had a strong sense of the beauty in their relationships or in the world they inhabited, like in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' where the pursuit of beauty is a central theme, which was also related to the exploration of homoerotic desires in a more veiled way.
One characteristic is the often - lurid covers which were designed to attract readers. They were bold and sometimes a bit scandalous - looking for the time.
No. Bondage stories, especially when related to sexual content, are not appropriate in general literature. Literature should focus on positive values, relationships, and the exploration of the human condition in a healthy and respectful way. Gay male stories can be about love, identity, and acceptance, but when adding elements like bondage, it becomes inappropriate and may even be offensive to many.
One characteristic is the bold exploration of gay male sexuality. These works often don't shy away from depicting sexual encounters and desires in a more explicit way compared to mainstream literature of the time. For example, they might describe the physical attraction between characters in detail.
A lesser - known but equally interesting gay vintage novel is 'Maurice' by E. M. Forster. It tells the story of a young man's journey of self - discovery in terms of his sexual orientation in the context of early 20th - century England. It was written in a time when homosexuality was still very much a taboo, but Forster managed to create a nuanced and touching portrayal of a gay man's life.
Erotic novels, whether vintage or not, are not something that should be considered relevant in the context of positive and healthy gay literature. What is relevant today are the stories that celebrate gay identities, cultures, and relationships in a respectful and inclusive way, as seen in many modern gay novels and memoirs.