I picked up The Gilda Stories a few years ago after it was published as a Vintage Classic in 2023: 32 years after its release. I was curious to see what book had been blurbed by Sarah Waters and excited by the fact it was a black lesbian vampire story.
To describe it with those words alone does not do the actual book justice. We follow Gilda throughout various moments in her life, from when she is first turned into a vampire in the 1800s after escaping slavery, all the way into the future in 2050. Her sexuality is a subtle part of the story, but she forms several deep female friendships (many of which I would argue are definitely romantically coded) and her relationship with these women, and the others in her life, is one of the strong story threads that weave throughout each of the episodic chapters.
One of the most interesting elements of this book is the way that vampires work. Typical vampire lore is subverted—when taking blood, the vampires are able to leave behind memories and feelings; they can spend limited time in the sun; their feelings are shared with the other vampires they are connected with, almost like faint telepathy that links them across long distances. I really appreciate the way this was done, as for me it stands out as one of the most unique elements of the story.
The story can feel a little disjointed at times. I would say it is literary fiction before it is speculative, and with such huge breaks between time periods, we step into completely different eras, with different people and different focuses. Ultimately, Gilda, her companion Bird, and the other vampires remain as constants throughout, and we see them grow and change as they experience life over the centuries.
Reading this book 34 years after its release as a biracial black lesbian myself, it reinforces the need to continue to read and celebrate the trailblazers that have shaped the BIPOC queer literary canon.
