The Literary Values Reflected in Cambodian Boy’s Love Novels

Abstract

This article aims to examine the literary values present in 11 Cambodian boy’s love (BL) novels written between 2010 and 2022. The study found that Cambodian BL novels are characterized by the following features. First of all, titles are crafted using techniques to attract attention, such as the use of symbols. Secondly, the plot structure follows a romance novel pattern. Third, the narrators can be divided into two types, which are omniscient and pseudo first-person narrators. The latter being “I,” narrates alternately from the perspectives of the protagonist (Seme) and the main character (Uke). At the same time, it found that most scenes are set in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province, which are more developed cities than others. Another feature is that the characters are clearly divided by gender roles. That is, the main character acts as the Top (the protagonist) and the Bottom (the heroine). Additionally, the main character may have fluid sex roles. In other words, they switch from having a female partner to a male partner. Meanwhile, opposing characters often include the father figure and female characters. Also, the language used features numerous metaphorical images and symbols to enhance literary beauty and illustrations were used in order to help tell the story. Lastly, the key concept presented in the novels is that love is beautiful and should not be confined to a binary framework. This is because people of any gender can love each other and what matters the most is mutual learning, understanding, forgiveness, and sharing, to turn love into a genuine and enduring love.  The reason why Cambodian BL novels have gained widespread popularity today, aside from external factors such as Cambodian society becoming more accepting of LGBTQ+ groups, is undeniably driven by internal factors which are the literary values that entertain readers. These values are the main driving forces that sustain and allow this genre of literature to flourish now and in the future.