(by 9 people)
I posted on my blog recently that I've been thinking alot lately about queer stories and the lack thereof and how that's frustrating. Sure, Anne of Green Gables probably turned me gay, but can you imagine how much GAYER I could have been if there had been a queer equivalent in my childhood? Say Rebecca of Beaver Mountain? I recently went through a period of having "nothing to read" because I couldn't bring myself to crack the spine on yet another story about (god bless you all) straight people.
Don't get me wrong. I love straight people. My parents are straight. But Sweet Lavendar Lord, I was in need of some LESBIAN BOOKS. The other thing I was in need of was a source of GOOD lesbian books (even more rare).
I got some great reading suggestions and thought that now would be the perfect time to start a Fine Lesbian Fiction lens. I'm reviewing books as I read (or re-read) them - if you have any suggestions, please feel free to share!
P.S. I also have a lens on fine, and not so fine, lesbian movies.
WARNING: Some of these reviews may contain spoilers. I don't want to ruin these books for you, gentle readers - but I may warn you if horror and tragedy await our various lesbonic heroines. Because I am fucking sick of stories where one of the lesbians dies.
Sarah Waters
Still my favourite
Tipping the Velvet: A Novel
Victorian England! Girls falling for girls! Girls dressing up as boys! Betrayal! Luxury! Poverty! Dildos! A deeply satisfying lesbian romp and probably my personal favourite lesbian book. So far.
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/20/2008)
Affinity
Again with the Victorians. And this time, there's prison AND corsets. The whole thing is quite brilliant, brooding, fraught with desire and yearning. **SPOILER ALERT** I nearly had to take a personal day off work when I finished this book. Because I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach. Loved it and yet will never read it again.
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/20/2008)
Fingersmith
I seriously couldn't put this tale of pick-pockets, orphan heiresses, dastardly plots and yes, corsets, down. Except for the parts where I was so shocked by the plot's twists and turns that I was forced to scream and throw the book across the room.
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 07/20/2008)
The Night Watch
This one's set in 1940's London, during and just after WWII. Incredible historical detail, well-drawn characters and intricately woven story-lines; the book is written in reverse chronological order, which was interesting, but frustrating; when you get to the beginning, you already know how it ends. No corsets, but lots of powder and tea. And, of course, lesbians.
Amazon Price: $11.25 (as of 07/20/2008)
Emma Donoghue
Warning: Not all of her books contain lesbians.
Landing
Long distance romance, anyone? While I did spend a portion of the book being frustrated with one of the characters, I really did enjoy it and will likely read it again when I'm pining for a hot, trans-continential, correspondence-driven lesbian lurve affair.
Amazon Price: $18.25 (as of 07/20/2008)
Life Mask
I'm just re-reading this one at the moment and am enjoying it even more the second time. Incredibly rich historical detail, fantastic writing and great, fleshed out characters. Also, corsets. Also, this line: "They were such lean, powerful hands; that must come from the sculpting." Mm-hmmm.
Amazon Price: $20.28 (as of 07/20/2008)
We Are Michael Field (Outlines)
From Publishers Weekly:
"Author of some 30 plays and 11 books of poetry, Michael Field was a prolific if relatively minor late-Victorian literary figure. What early reviewers didn't know was that "Michael Field" was actually two women, Katherine Bradley and her sister's daughter, Edith Cooper, who were not only literary collaborators but also lovers." Excellent biography of these two, who trod the line between respectability and naughty girl-on-girl action. Also, probably wore corsets.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Stir-Fry
Sadly, there's no photo of this one. No matter. It's a sweet, coming of age story about a young college student in Dublin who finds she's taken a room in a flat with . . . LESBIANS. Drama and self-discovery ensue.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Susan Smith
Finally, some camping! Well, a cabin on a lake . . .
Of Drag Kings And the Wheel of Fate
When divorced professor Rosalind sees young drag king Taryn onstage, it's hot, bothered love at first sight! But the course of true love never did run smooth and Taryn and Rosalind must overcome a number of obstacles, some mystical and some prosaic, to free themselves from the shittiness fate has in store for them and create a new future for themselves and their loved ones. Also, they get it ON.
Amazon Price: $12.76 (as of 07/20/2008)
Burning Dreams
The sequel to "Of Drag Kings", this book starts pretty much where the first one ends and introduces a new complication in the form of Rosalind's ex-husband, who's in need of some healing. I was worried that it would be the Marvin Gaye kind of healing, but then I also knew Smitty wouldn't screw me over. Compelling story, great character development and I really enjoyed the sense of humour in this one. There was laughing - and then there was blushing. Huzzah!
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 07/20/2008)
Diana Souhami
Okay, these aren't actually fiction. But they READ like fiction.
Mrs Keppel and Her Daughter
Turns out Camilla Parker-Bowles' great-grandma was also mistress to the king! Also, her great-aunt Violet liked the ladies. Good times with the Edwardians.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Wild Girls: Paris, Sappho, and Art: The Lives and Loves of Natalie Barney and Romaine Brooks
Publisher's Weekly said this biography of poet Natalie Barney and artist Romaine Brooks was "reads more like a lesbian soap opera than a biography". Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaah!
Amazon Price: $15.16 (as of 07/20/2008)
Gertrude and Alice (Phoenix Press)
Ah, Gertrude and Alice. Those crazy kids.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
The Trials of Radclyffe Hall
You know - Radclyffe Hall. She wrote The Well of Loneliness. As its title indicates, not the peppiest of stories but damn, what a life she led.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Jeannette Winterson
Bold.
Written on the Body
My brother gave this to me. Because I hear about all the good lesbian things from my brother. Of course, the thing about this book is that the narrator never reveals their gender, which I loved.
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 07/20/2008)
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
I remember finding this unusual coming of age story confident, compelling and witty. And, you know, fucked up. But in a delightful way.
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/20/2008)
The PowerBook
I bought this one because it had to do with using online means to transform and redefine yourself. Enjoyed it immensely - rich language, exotic locations, yearning and discontent. Good times.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/20/2008)
Kathleen Oliver
Okay, this is a play, not a book. But still a great story. That RHYMES.
Swollen Tongues
A contemporary twist on Restoration comedy. Written entirely in rhyming couplets, Swollen Tongues is a flurry of disguises, tricks and revelations that prove that poetry can unlock the door to love (and lust) in unexpected ways. If you know what I mean. And I think that you do.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Ann-Marie MacDonald
Witty wordplay! Sexy innuendo! Cross-dressing! And . . . despair.
Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)
Mousy Shakespearian scholar Constance Ledbelly gets sucked into the worlds of Othello and Romeo & Juliet and totally fucks them up. So clever, so fun, so many layers - like an onion! An hilarious onion.
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/20/2008)
Fall On Your Knees (Oprah's Book Club)
Like all of the other books in Oprah's Book Club, this one is beautifully written and makes you want to off yourself as tragedy after tragedy claim the lives and/or hope of the characters. That said, there are some extremely sexy parts about 3/4 of the way through the book between Kathleen and Rose. Maybe get it from the library.
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 07/20/2008)
Fannie Flagg
I'm a little in love with Idgie
I really enjoyed Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man as well, but you know - no lesbians.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe
I've lost count of how many times I've bought this book, lent it out and never seen it again. Be warned.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/20/2008)
Marnie Woodrow
Mmmm-HMMMMM
In the Spice House
A disclaimer: I dislike short stories. But these were a great introduction to Woodrow's poetic, evocative prose and for that, I am thankful.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Spelling Mississippi
Set in New Orleans, this book is both hot and bothered, though I feel that most of the lovemaking was between the author and New Orleans instead of the two women in the story. Intrigue, romance and languid Southern setting - sweet as beignet, bitter as chicory and hot like the "Ass in Space" hot sauce you buy in the market.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Susan Holbrook
Probably thought I was stalking her.
Misled (Poetry)
I enjoy many of the poems in this volume, but my favourite are the "Why do I feel guilty . . ." series. Because I'm a sucker for the funny lesbians.
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/20/2008)
Rita Mae Brown
I love that my parents had this book
Rubyfruit Jungle
Great lesbonic coming of age story. That Molly Bolt - she's pretty cool.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/20/2008)
Elana Dykewomon
Pssst - I think she might be gay
Beyond the Pale
From a reader review on Amazon: A lovely, touching -- and yet, horrifying -- chronicle of Jewish [lesbian!] life in the Pale of Settlement in Russia and the tenements of New York in the late 1890's and early 1900's.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
Monica Nolan
Lesbian Pulp Fiction at its best
Lois Lenz, Lesbian Secretary
Oh, Lois. So innocent. So dedicated. So lesbonic.
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/20/2008)
Bill Richardson
Honourary Lesbian?
Waiting for Gertrude: A Graveyard Gothic
Sweet, whimsical, hilarious. And I don't even like cats.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/20/2008)
New Guestbook
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clouda9
Your descriptions of the books was my capture. Ordered Swollen Tongues tonight and *****'d the lens. Posted February 19, 2008 |
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Marisange
Hey there---would you consider posting my comedy lesbian novel on your lens? Posted January 27, 2008 |
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Creampuff
Thanks for the kudos and tips, folks! Wildfire - I'm so jealous. And Josie, thanks for the suggestions! I look forward to checking out your work! Posted January 11, 2008 |
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josiehenley
I agree with all of the above and would also add Ann Bannon, Fiona Cooper and my good self. Posted August 27, 2007 |
I also LOVE Susan Holbrook. She was my university professor one semester, a few years back, and I totally fell in love with her. My fave part of "misled" is also the "Why do I feel guilty" series. She's just as funny in real life, too, by the way!
Posted July 13, 2007
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DeWayne-FilmFreak
Great Lesbian books! Giving you 5 stars! Posted May 22, 2007 |
