THE DAY WE WERE MOSTLY BUTTERFLIES, by Lousie W. King (Now World Writing 17); and THE SINGING AND THE GOLD, by Charlotte Morrow.

STRANGER ON

Among the paperbacks of special merit arc: LESBOS, by Valerie Taylor; THE WILD NIGHT, by Don Holliday; JOURNEY TO A WOMAN, by Ann Bannon; OF SHAME AND JOY, by Sheldon Lord; THE WHISPERED SEX, by Kay Martin; CAROL IN A THOUSAND CITIES, by Ann Aldrich; THE CENSORED SCREEN, by Brian Dunn; MAN AMONG WOMEN, by Randy Salom; SCANDAL IN SUBURBIA, by Gardner F. Fox; MEET MARILYN, by Sloane M. Britain; and THE UNASHIMED, by March Hastings.

Certain trends discerned in past years grow with passing time. More and more novelists include Lesbian figures in minor or simi-major roles without comment either pro or

con.

Fewer romantic novels appear each year; the depiction of intenso Lesbian romance in novel form appears to be nearly at a standstill, this in spite of continuing zalds in papdfback of the classic few. Many good propaganda motifs are casually included in all types of novals ranging from the "ponny dreadful" mysteries to magnifi. cont literary masterpieces such as CLEA by Lawrence Durrell.

Comparatively fewer novels vituperatively condemning the Lesbian appear each year and the attitude of accoptance is rapidly increasing from a statistical standpoint. Due to violent increasing "blue nose" censorship drives it seems likely the year 1961 will not be so numerically high in Losbian fiction, particularly among the paperbacks. However, I believe the current increased freedom among hardback publishers of quality fiction will produce a very Mubstantial and rewarding group of titles for 1961.

There is a tendency to omit sentiment and femininization among many current novels, with the emphasis on sexy scenes and four-letter words. For those who believe in Lesbianism an a way of life and who realize that romance is an essential, vital part of life, few current novels will fulfill their expectations. Perhaps one day the pendulum wi11 swing away from crudity back to the emotional climate of the 1930's.

(continued on page 16)

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