Reviews (1)

Rollercoaster, angst filled thriller

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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    5. Children    6. Fiction / Lesbian    7. Fiction-Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths    8. General & Literary Fiction    9. Lesbians   

Subjects:  1. Erotica - General    2. Erotica - Lesbian    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Adult    5. Lesbian    6. Popular American Fiction    7. 19th century fiction    8. Erotic fiction    9. Fiction anthologies & collections    10. Literature of special Lesbian interest   

Reviews (35)

To Julia
Thanks for your in depth review, Julia.
An Amazing Read
I FIND IT ODD THAT THIS BOOK IS LAZILY REFERRED TO A "VEILED AUTOBIOGRAPHY."FIRST, THE FACTS: MARGUERITE RADCLYFFE HALL WAS BORN TO NEARLY ESTRANGED PARENTS,WHO DIVORCED SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS BORN;SHE SPENT NO TIME WITH HER FATHER, AND CERTAINLY NONE IN MANOR-LIKE LUXURY; MONEY SHE INHERITED AS A YOUNG WOMAN AFTER HER FATHER "RAT'S" (THE MAN'S NICKNAME;HE WAS SAID TO BE A ROGUE) DEATH.BEFORE THEN SHE LIVED UNDER THE THUMB OF HER INDIFFERENT MOTHER, AND "DIRTY OLD STEPFATHER," WHO MOLESTED HER AT LEAST ONCE.(FOR THOSE APT TO PSYCHOANALYZE, HALL DENIED THAT THE MOLESTATION FACTORED INTO HER BEING A LESBIAN.)THE YOUNG HALL, WHILE TO BE SEEN IN TIES, AND JACKETS, IS ALSO NOTABLE FOR HER LONG SKIRTS AND JEWELRY - IN OTHER WORDS, SHE DID NOT LEAP INTO BEING IN A SUIT OF ELEGANTLY TAILORED TWEEDS LIKE HER IDEALIZED COUNTERPART STEPHEN GORDON.
extremely well written romantic tragedy
The first thing I noticed about Radclyffe Hall's "The Well of Loneliness," was the beautiful descriptive exposition. Before the novel delves too far into modernism, it is apparent that it is hedging out the Victorian. Descriptions of the English countryside, of London and of Paris are some of the finest written in English. Not only this but the painstaking care the Hall takes to describe her characters, though even Stephen remains a bit fuzzy to me, are lovely and purposeful. Her sense of loss, loneliness and love are extremely powerful and extremely well conveyed.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Lesbian    3. Lesbians    4. Literary    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Popular English Fiction    7. Fiction / Lesbian   

Reviews (31)

Different- Sensual, Sweet and Heartbreaking
There are books like Stella Duffy's "Calendar Girl" that have abrupt, tragic endings, and then there are books like Sylvia Brownrigg's "Pages For You".
Lyrical and poignant
I got this book at the campus library this morning on a whim. I started it at 10 and plowed through it, completely entranced and finished by 12.
Wonderful
This is the wonderful love story of Flannery and Anne - I read this book in 2 days. It's very touching and real. I highly recommend it to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Lesbian    5. Lesbians    6. Love stories    7. Married women    8. Women college students   

Reviews (2)

You'll Want to Read it Again
This is a book every woman who loves bright imagination and ripping adventure should own.You won't find the heroine skittish or numb as in so many novels where she must be saved by the hero.This is a novel about women whose lives are compelling and smart.Tristaine is peopled by women from everywhere; many ran away from the sterile, restrictive environments that often became too dangerous for them to survive.The clan of Tristaine has finally found a settling place in the mountains.There are already cabins there built by former Amazons perhaps centuries past.Shann is the queen.She is regal in her bearing and wise as she must be in order to lead her clan through the fear presented by a lingering unseen menace in this new home that is otherwise exactly where they need to be to see out the coming winter.
Excellent Read
The third title in the Tristaine series is as exciting a read as the previous two. It is the continuing story of the Amazon women as they head into the wilderness to escape the oppression of the City.Their flight leads them to an abandoned village where the Clan faces their toughest challenge yet. They are being stalked by an evil that will pit them against each other and their sisters from the past.
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Subjects:  1. Fantasy - General    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Lesbian    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Romance - Fantasy   

Reviews (3)

Outstanding anthology for any book collection
I bought this book for two authors I can not get enough of - Jane Rule and Joan Nestle.
Something for everyone
Whatever you're looking for, it's probably in here. I have returned to this book both when looking for a good read and when writing essays (for example on lesbian modernists): as well as having some wonderful stories spanning a broad range of styles, the introduction is damn good critical stuff and contains some very useful references. Thank goodness they've changed the cover; the previous edition featuring two half-naked women (whom you wouldn't want to run into on a dark evening) was somewhat embarrassing to be seen with at the university library. Delving into the Pool of lesbianism
Its the one compilation that has truely touched the humour, the enticing void of what it is to fall in love and what it is like to be ironically a normal lesbian, the pictures are pretty good as well :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Gay    5. Lesbian   

Editorial Review

Achy Obejas, a Cuban lesbian living in Chicago, scored a huge hit with her 1994 collection of short stories, We Came All the Way from Cuba So You Could Dress Like This? Now in Read more

Reviews (11)

Dancing the Memory Mambo
This book addresses a number of issues that are important in the understanding of Latin Americans living in the United States. She is successful at avoiding the "plot oriented" style that the United States embraces and focuses more on the epiphanies that the protagonist experiences. Through these epiphanies, the reader is drawn in and is forced to confront these realities that are usually ignored or avoided. It is not the most exciting book to read, however I recommend it for its biting, yet realistic humor, and its pragmatic search for truth.

what a dance of remembrance ! - one you won't forget !
Achy Obejas, in her "Memory Mambo," writes creatively and cleverly of -- among other things -- as the title suggests, the very complex dance that our minds do when confronted with unforgettable (if altered) images that are subjectively recorded, subconsciously stored, and blurred by the rose-tinted lens of a hawk-like ego-defense! A disturbingly good book
I had to read this book for an English class, but I am thankful I did.It is a good book, and the story moves pretty quickly.You get a sense of playing the roll of the alien, as Juani, is both a Cuban exile in AMerica and Lesbian, both of which make her an oustider of Main Stream American culture.Objeas, did an excellent job letting the reader feel how one might feel if they were a stranger in their native land, and treated as an outsider in their new home as well.A good read... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cuban American families    2. Cuban American women    3. Cuban Americans    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Lesbians    8. Modern fiction   

Reviews (4)

Funny
This book was entertaining.
Refreshingly Different Romance
Infinite Loop by Meghan O'Brien is another refreshingly different romance novel that has hit the bookshelves lately. It is, however, the type of romance story everyone thinks they want to read, but often have second thoughts after she realizes that idealistic novels don't always entertain. It is the perfect romance story. Right? No one leaves, no one gets stalked, no one is stubborn beyond belief, and best of all - no one gets shot in the end. It's great! Well, without all the drama, what's left?
Characters So Real You Can Almost Touch Them...
Meghan O'Brien has outdone herself with this incredibly realistic story of falling in love and facing old demons.Regan O'Riley considers herself the epitome of geekiness, but she's a really cool geek.She has always been one to seek solitude through her computer and video games.Her parents never really knew or understood her, but they were always supportive -- that is, when Regan let them be.Mel Raines is a sexy cop and womanizer.Her past (mother died young, father is an abusive alcoholic) is better left alone, but that all changes after she meets Regan at a straight bar while at a bachelorette party for her college roommate.Scared of being just another notch in Mel's headboard, Regan confronts Mel with their situation.This is a turning point for both of them, and the real beginning of their story.
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Subjects:  1. American Contemporary Fiction - Individual Authors +    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Lesbian    5. Fiction / Lesbian    6. General & Literary Fiction    7. Lesbians   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Lesbian   

Reviews (8)

It did not live up to my expectations
After reading the customer reviews I decided to purchase this book.Unfortunately, I did not find the book captivating at all and I was disappointed.Having read books by authors such as MG MacGregor, Katherine V. Forrest, Radclyffe, and Lyn Denison just to mention a few, I have become very picky.

Rekindling an Unknown Lost Love...
Having enjoyed Kenna White's first book, `Shared Winds,' this reader looked forward to reading `Beneath the Willow.' The book proved to be an enjoyable read with interesting characters and an engaging story line.However, when compared to `Shared Winds,' it's a little disappointing.
A few unnecessaries
I love Kenna White's simplistic, yet filling romance stories.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Romance - Contemporary    6. Romance: Modern    7. Modern fiction   

Reviews (16)

---
Maybe viewed as a sociological document, the book can be viewed as of some value.Ms. Tea documents about a decade of her life 14-24.Grew up in Boston area, seemed able to run into Boston and hang out with various crowds.Lots of drinking, living a "wild" life, I guess.Her boyfriend Ian, with whom sex was a chore.Moving into a lesbian life, which it almost appears she wills herself into because she does not seem to develop any sort of deep emotional attachment.She works some; has girlfriends; Lize gets her into whoring and they become a couple.Back and forth to Tucson a couple of times.Denouement, of sorts.
Not for everyone
The typos and run-on sentences were killing me, but this memoir was hard to put down and definitely worth my time.

worth a read if you like ms. tea
although this wasn't a life changing, earth shattering book by any means i thought it was worth my time.it was fun and personable.a good first attempt and worth a read when you consider the effect she has had on young, queer liturature.don't expect perfect prose or classic liturature, but if you're looking to kill a few hours with a "querky" queer gal or want to read the debut by the author of valencia, than give this book a shot. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boston (Mass.)    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Lesbians    5. Literary    6. Short Stories (single author)    7. Modern fiction    8. Other prose: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (4)

Read this Book!
Running Fiercely Toward a High Thin Sound by Judith Katz is an examination of the lives of a Jewish family in the late sixties.The story is told from a variety of viewpoints, but centers around the experiences of Nadine and Jane Morningstar, two daughters, who leave their home for the small college town of New Chelm.Both of them happen to be lesbians, and both of them quickly settle into the lesbian subculture of New Chelm's feminist movement.(Actually, it is questionable whether or not New Chelm houses any heterosexual residents, as they play no role in the experience of the women who live there.)Although the story centers around a thrice-marginalized group (e.g., lesbian Jewish women), the themes of alienation, familial dysfunction, coming-of-age, identity formation, drug addiction, and romantic obsession make the story extremely accessible to anyone who did not have a perfect adolescence.Perhaps the crux of Katz's genius lies in her ability to render each character in such an honest, realistic light that one begins to really understand and experience the uncommon struggles of these women.She creates such intimacy between the reader and the characters that the reader finds himself or herself forgetting the cultural, sexual, or religious differences that may exist between them and instead experiencing the events of the story along with the characters.The book's ability to produce this profound understanding, which is needed so desperately, is reason enough to recommend it to a wide readership, but Katz has done much more than producing a book that promotes understanding and empathy.Upon closer examination, one discovers that Running Fiercely Toward a High Thin Sound is not about lesbians, Jews, the mentally ill, or females.It is in fact a penetrating, honest, and entertaining examination of the human condition in modern society.Katz's greatest strength lies in her characterization, specifically in establishing a unique voice for each character, the realistic portrayal thereof, and her ability to advance the plot through the subjective viewpoints of such different viewpoints and voices.Her greatest weakness, perhaps, lies in her usage of clich�d elements, such as Rose's "trip through the mirror."These clich�s, though very rare, do mar an otherwise beautiful piece of writing, but the impact of these flaws on the total experience of reading the work is quite minimal.

Actually, 3 1/2
Others have said it, and I repeat the sentiments of those who have gone before me. This is a wonderful and engrossing read--the kind of book you could read in a few hours if you were so inclined. The characters and storyline are moving and touch upon many emotions. Katz is particularly good at capturing the different voices of her protagonists. My only complaint is the extended magical realism portion that occurs in the last two-thirds of the book. In such a short novel, I found it distracting and even in a lengthier piece I may have felt like it was forced as well as a distraction from the main story. Regardless, this is a book that upon finishing I immediately turned and handed to my roomate who took it in one big gulp. This is what can happen when families literally drive one another nuts and when political types lose sight of the lives of the people they profess to help. The book is also meditation of loving someone whether or not they are capable of giving back 100 percent.

Lyrical
Uneven at times, but within its covers there is music to be found. It is difficult to write a novel with different perspectives, but Katz pulls it off. Here, the story is told in the first person by the differentcharacters. An emotionally fragile, outcast of a daughter who sets herselfon fire, a resentful mother who hasn't made peace with her own parent, anda lesbian sister trapped between two conflicting worlds, struggle to livetheir lives while caught in each other's webs. There are beautiful momentslaced throughout, and images that soar. From the onset we are warned that"Nadine and my mother rubbed against each other and made dangeroussparks", and we are taken along on an unusual ride. Nadine's pain andabandonment are compelling, and coupled with her mental illness, I was leftwith a sad yearning for her to find peace. "Me, I bay and bay butnobody hears me. . .Do you see me? Nobody puts the fire out, but nobodyburns either. Only me." Near the end of the book, the story heads in adirection I didn't really care for, a magical realm of past lives andstruggles, but the writing and imagery continued to shine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Jewish fiction    4. Jewish women    5. Lesbian    6. Lesbians    7. Literature of special Lesbian interest    8. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Romance - General    6. Modern fiction   

Reviews (5)

Interesting
Each and every book I read broadens my horizons andmy knowledge base.No book is too good or too bad to read.
daughters of an emerald dusk
as witth all of kathryn forrest books , it excelled in both writing and description .

Daughters of an Emerald Dusk
o my god, i just loved it. i have the first two books that go along with this book. and i just couldn,t wait for this one. i was not disappointed! it was fantastic..... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Lesbians    5. Life on other planets    6. Science Fiction    7. Science Fiction - General    8. Space colonies    9. Women    10. Fiction / Science Fiction / General    11. Literature of special Lesbian interest    12. Modern fiction   

Reviews (6)

cute, immature and a little boring
IN "The Gift" I found the premise of psychic abilities and the lack of acceptance of the community, interesting...but the story and the characters never fully develped beyond a two-dimensional realm.I found it immature and unrealistic to say the least.I wouldn't recommend spending the money on this one.

Everyone Makes Mistakes... Some Pay Off
This reader has enjoyed everything she's read by Verda Foster.`The Gift' is no exception.Foster has written another quality story with intriguing, dimensional characters and a solid plot.
i wanted to like it but...
I tried to like this book but found it very disjointed. The jumps the author made (in story and emotional content)kept me rolling my eyes and wondering why I didn't just put it down. I added the book to my wish list based on the other reviews but I have to wonder 'what book did they read?' ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction - General    2. Lesbian    3. Adventure / thriller    4. Fiction / Lesbian   

Editorial Review

Physics seems to have become the new language of love in the 1990s, and Jeanette Winterson is not the first writer to make a major character a physicist. Jonathan Lethem mined similar territory earlier this year in his delightful book, Read more

Reviews (22)

Striking and beautiful -- prepare to fall in love yourself
I wasn't sure about this book, because I had read Winterson's first novel (Oranges are not the only Fruit) and, though impressed by her writing, was not crazy about it as a whole. But Gut Symmetries is an amazing book.It is beautiful in so many ways.
somewhat ok
I am trying to finish it. There are few philosophical remarks that I enjoyed.

Gut Symmetries
This book changed my view on what great literature can be. Previously I thought plot drove the reader to keep going - reading this I was driven forward by the beauty of the words that Winterson uses, sometimes not understanding, or paying attention to the action, often reading several times to revel in the flavours of her prose. I looked with regret at the dwindling number of pages as I approached the end, wanting to stay longer in the drunken, passionate language of this wonderful book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Couples    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Interpersonal relations    6. Lesbians    7. Ocean liners    8. Popular English Fiction    9. Fiction / General   

Reviews (6)

Jane Fletcher is the consummate story teller and plot wizard
Jane Fletcher is the consummate storyteller and plot wizard. Getting caught up in the action happens as if by magic and the fantasy elements are long forgotten. The world Fletcher creates, the characters she brings to life, and the rich detail described in eloquent prose, all serve to keep the reader enchanted, satisfied, yet wanting more. A 2005 Lammy finalist, "The Temple at Landfall" is surely a winner in this reader's book, and as an author, Jane Fletcher is the Goddess herself.
Celaneo Series...read me
Fletcher's Celaneo series is well-written and the character development makes the book.
The art of storytelling
There are two basic premises to fantasy storytelling.One: the possibilities are endless.Two: don't lose your audience.This book can be held up as the paradigm for all fantasy storytellers.Jane Fletcher creates an engaging central character in Lynn so well that a reader forgets the words and begins to experience the tale.Lynn has an extraordinary skill that is beautifully balanced by grounded, natural human feelings.Fletcher knows her craft and executes it well.Too often, writers attempt to hide their shortcomings with an excess of superflous words or a bombardment of technological wizardry.Fletcher has no need to employ such smoke and mirrors.She is a first class author with an enchanting imagination.I'm glad that this book was written and I'm definitely going to read Rangers at Roadsend and Wall at Westernfort. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fantasy fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Lesbian    5. Lesbians    6. Popular American Fiction    7. Romance - General    8. Science Fiction - General    9. Literature of special Lesbian interest    10. Modern fiction   

Reviews (1)

Tremendous Breath of Fresh Air - Fantastic!
I read a lot of lesbian fiction.Many of the books I've read, even those written by seasoned authors, can't hold a candle to this one.Well-edited and eloquently written, Wings is a phenomenal first book and I can't wait for more.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Modern fiction   

Reviews (7)

The final story...
I really loved this book - it grabbed me from the beginning to end. Its so much more than "lesbian fiction". The last story where her mother dies, had me cold. It really made me feel so depressed and sad that I had to call home just to hear a voice I knew. That part...its harrowing.
Highly dissapointed
I purchased this book with the intention of reading gritty tales of growing up in the South, not lesbian porn.I do not have a problem with Ms. Allison's sexual preference; some of what she had to say about being a lesbian was interesting.However, I found this book to be pornographic and disgusting.I did not realize that 80% of this book was detailed sexual encounters.For example, one story describes her partner urinating on her face. I do not recommend this book.

i am fat from the honey of her prose
This book is hot. There is heat, and there is fire. I agree with others...the later stories do not compel as the early. Even in "River of Names," the scenes between the persona and the lover make me cringe--it seems like too much of a Device. Without those parts, "River of Names" is layered and astonishing. Sure, shocking, too, if your childhood is not full of dead cousins, but I am using "astonishing" to describe the grace of Allison's prose. She picks you up and drops you into each episode...lets you fall through it like you're in it. Only to catch (you, caught, are breathless) and drop again. "Gospel Song" is the real heat. So hot you oughta know it'll end with real flames. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Lesbian    4. Lesbians    5. Literary    6. Poor women    7. Short Stories (single author)    8. Social life and customs    9. Southern States    10. Working class women    11. Fiction / Lesbian   

Reviews (1)

moon over the freeway
the title of this review is stolen from the new ditty bops cd which makes a great soundtrack to this volume.
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Subjects:  1. Comics & Graphic Novels    2. Fiction    3. General    4. Graphic Novels    5. Graphic Novels - General    6. Lesbian    7. Comics & Graphic Novels / General