BOOKS
Two lesbian-gay youth books examine current day issues
We're Not Alone by Rik Isensee
Lavender Press, 127 p. $7.95, softcover.
Children of Horizons: How Gay and Lesbian Teens Are Leading A New Way Out of the Closet
by Gilbert Herdt and Andrew Boxer Beacon press, 290 p. $25.00, hardcover.
Reviewed by Jennifer Engel
We're Not Alone, at first seems like typical treatment of a cliché topic: a boy's struggle with homosexuality in high school. This book, however, has many elements that the typical does not: realism, a good narrative style, and a happy ending. All four of the main characters are introduced in the first two-page "chapter," and from then on, anything that can happen to them does, from typical parental rejection, to gay bashing, to coming out publicly. The characters do become stronger, better people because of it. The only disappointing factor in this gay
coming of age story is that we see less of the protagonist's thoughts and views than we do of what goes on in other minor characters' minds. For example, the author does not allow us to see Mike's thoughts when he comes out to his mother, or when he comes out to himself for that matter. But through Mike's eyes and Susan's outspokenness, we know her thoughts and motivations throughout the novel. Susan's undaunted idealism is an inspiration.
Children of Horizons is a well written, though surprisingly technical, look at “a new culture." Children examines the topic of gay and lesbian youth from every angle, based on the writers' experience with the Horizons youth group of Chicago. This is a very important book, because it is not afraid to address issues that other books for or about youth have shied away from or treated too casually. Some of the questions discussed include: How does a boy approach another boy? Why don't these teenagers have the same goals as others? Bisexuality and suicide risk are also discussed.
Although the language is technical and oriented to sociologists or case workers, this book should be on every teacher's and parent's reading list.
A lyrical, engaging,
erotic lesbian love story
Curious Wine
by Katherine V. Forrest
Naiad Press, 160 p. $9.95, softcover.
Reviewed by K.T. McCann Curious Wine is a tender, enchanting love story. Published originally over ten years ago, Naiad Press has published a tenth anniversary edition. You owe it to yourself to rediscover it if you haven't read it in a while. If, like me, you are discovering it for the first time, you're in for a treat.
Diana Holland and Lane Christianson meet for the first time at a holiday retreat for six women at a mountain cabin in Lake Tahoe. The women are all heterosexual, with varying, but mostly negative attitudes and experiences with men. Diana and Lane are immediately drawn to each other, although most of the other women find Lane aloof and enigmatic. Thrown together in the loft because of late arrival, they innocently decide to share a bed and a view rather than taking turns occupying the smaller, less magnificent adjoining bedroom, and your imagination could take over from there. However, we are not prepared for the authentic, intensely erotic, utterly lesbian lovemaking that gradually develops between the two new friends.
Katherine Forrest's superb writing provides a venue for us to insert ourselves in her story. Never are we made aware of the fact that we are reading a book because of a false note, or inauthentic tone. Lyrical, simple, engaging, the book draws us on as the love
story and erotic discovery develop between these two women who are easy to care about and love. So natural is their coming together that Diana at least suspects, even assumes, that Lane is an experienced lover of women. Only when Lane points out that Diana was just as skillful a lover as Lane appears to be does Diana realize that what is happening to her for the first time is the first time for both of them.
Lane looked at her with a slow, deeply amused smile. "How many other women do you think there've been?""Thousands." Lane laughed. "Why do you think so?" "The way you know how to touch me." Lane rolled over onto her stomach and propped herself on her elbows to smile down at Diana. “Have you forgotten what you just did with me?" Diana said awkwardly, "That just... happened." "Yes. But how did you know how to touch me?" "I... just knew. You made it very easy for me to know. From how you were with me, and... from myself, and there were things I thought you would like... and things I wanted to do." "There were things I wanted to do, too. I wanted to please you, and I wanted to... do everything I did. And that's how I knew how to touch you."
The treasure of this book are the love scenes. Intensely erotic, they never offend, but instead awaken the memories of "the first time" for every lesbian. They have given this book a lush, powerful, passionate sensuality that is echoed in the extravagant surroundings of the snowy, radiance of mountainous Lake Tahoe. The book richly deserves the reputation of the "classic" that it has become.
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