The oxfam near us got a bunch of lesbian novels, so I picked up a few of the mysteries. Having enjoyed lesbian mysteries in the past I have to say thiThe oxfam near us got a bunch of lesbian novels, so I picked up a few of the mysteries. Having enjoyed lesbian mysteries in the past I have to say this one was quite disappointing. First of all there's a huge lesbian night club which is raging every night of the week. Which seems improbable, given the current state of lesbian bars in the US. Also there's a lesbian and gay porn studio attached to it. The serial killer isn't really someone you seem coming, or much of a story. The main characters are all over the place. The sex descriptions are also pretty bad. But I kinda found myself interested in the characters and what would happen anyway. But I'm definitely not going to rush out and buy the first one, especially as it was described in so much detail in this one it was almost as if I read it anyway. ...more
Oh the fucked up world of 60s pulp lesbians. It's sensational and trash and yet there are some utterly wonderful gems of reality in here. The descriptOh the fucked up world of 60s pulp lesbians. It's sensational and trash and yet there are some utterly wonderful gems of reality in here. The description of her work as a library assistant was so good, and her secret crush on her straight boss. And the "horror" of things that are totally normal. And the women who are so mentally fucked up because society has told them they are evil for being who they are. And the ridiculous over the top ending, because that's the punishment for being gay. ...more
I found this 1960 lesbian pulp in the oxfam by our new flat. It was definitely more brutal than other lesbian pulps I've read from around that time. TI found this 1960 lesbian pulp in the oxfam by our new flat. It was definitely more brutal than other lesbian pulps I've read from around that time. To start with our heroine was in an incredibly abusive relationship, emotionally, physically and even sexually, as her girlfriend got kicks pimping her out to men. And there was also a lot of self loathing, both lesbians felt like they still needed men to be somehow sexually satisfied. And the "happy ending" of the book, is that conversion therapy is possible to make lesbians "normal". And yet despite that there was something honest about this. I recognised the emotions of the characters, the needing to get drunk, the beat parties. It was all very real despite all the internalised homophobia that was SO rife in it. I'm now reading a recently published trans novel and I'm seeing a lot of the same things in that that I did in this. Having read so many new queer books lately where characters are just left to be queer it was an interesting slice of history to go back and read this. It was definitely much harder to be queer in this book that Ann Bannon or Katherine Forrest. But I'm really curious now to read more of the author's works. As apparently some of them did actually have happy lesbian couples in them....more
It's funny read you read a book and suddenly realise you are the villain of the piece. Not the company execs trying to kill each other off, but ratherIt's funny read you read a book and suddenly realise you are the villain of the piece. Not the company execs trying to kill each other off, but rather the evil women in open relationships who just use that as an excuse to hit on women who aren't and who drink too much... (Absoultely dreadful portrayal of poly people). But it was nice to see Janeway back in her AU fic. This was definitely more fic than mystery. There were more sex scenes than there were scenes involving the murder. In fact when it did all come out in the last chapter I had such a hard time remembering which sibling was which, because there was so little time given to them. I remembered the bad ones had grown up in the trailer park, but not their names... Also I realised for a book that was about a book store owner, and one of her best customers, no one ever read! Except the newspaper occassionally. While it was nice to see Nikki and Kate happy together there really wasn't enough plot for a whole book here. I'm not surprised there wasn't a third....more
This was delightful. I read that it was Janeway/Seven AU fic. I have to say their Kate was very much like Kate. You could hear Kate Mulgrew saying allThis was delightful. I read that it was Janeway/Seven AU fic. I have to say their Kate was very much like Kate. You could hear Kate Mulgrew saying all her lines. Seven was just a lovely lesbian. Not much like Seven but that was ok with me. It was a really wonderful story about two women falling in love, in the winter in Canada. There was also a murder. It was a very sweet and honest story, more romance than mystery. The only thing that bothered me was that it was a world without bisexuals. Everyone was confused how Kate could be a lesbian when she'd been married to a man, and no one thought she might have been bisexual all along, the only choices were gay or straight. But I'm glad I found this. There was a list of other lesbian books at the back and I will definitely have to get some of those for next year....more
I've really enjoyed nearly all of Katherine Forrest lesbian detective novels. They are very gritty and realistic depicting various social problems of I've really enjoyed nearly all of Katherine Forrest lesbian detective novels. They are very gritty and realistic depicting various social problems of America with great characterisation. I'd heard she'd also written a scifi novel so when I found a free copy of this at Archway I had to read it. It was very much a utopian novel, in that there wasn't much plot and things didn't make a whole lot of sense. Here we had a woman whose offspring ended up as 6000 while everyone was still alive, so they decided to go and colonise another world. Which they did, with no real threat or danger. Finally when the men from Earth arrived I was expecting some danger, but no instead there was a lot of naked women doing sports. The characters were likeable though. There's a sequel about the women that were left behind which sounds like a more interesting idea so will give that a try....more
This was the comic that I'd missed, and it was good to go back and re-read how they discovered what was going on with Evil!synergy. This was the comic that I'd missed, and it was good to go back and re-read how they discovered what was going on with Evil!synergy. ...more
This was simply brilliant! I randomly came across this as Leah Moore tweeted a review of it that Alan Moore had written and I was intrigued. This was This was simply brilliant! I randomly came across this as Leah Moore tweeted a review of it that Alan Moore had written and I was intrigued. This was a very different crime novel. There was a serial killer whose identity is known from the first chapter so there's no mystery. But instead what you have is an incredibly detailed character driven story with some of the most interesting and realistic characters I've come across.
One of the things that I liked best about this book was that the author presented full pictures of her characters. Whether they were drug users, prostitutes, single mums, the type of people who become a "type" were all presented as sympathetic real humans, with a past and a present. In many ways it reminded me of the type of social history Elizabeth Gaskell wrote in the mid 19th century, when she took the women outcasts of her day and presented them as sympathetic, and worthy of respect. Here Deborah was doing the same for women of the 1980s.
More than anything this book looks at the relationships between women, how crime can affect their lives and how they cope and move beyond that. I'm so glad I came across this book. I do hope Deborah writes more. I can't recommend this highly enough....more
I'd not heard of this comic but it was on a list of Feminist comics you should be reading with a bunch of other graphic novels I've really enjoyed so I'd not heard of this comic but it was on a list of Feminist comics you should be reading with a bunch of other graphic novels I've really enjoyed so I thought I would try it. I enjoyed it. The art was kinda simple and bold but it really fit the setting. It was near future sci-fi about a penal colony and the different gangs. Not the most original of ideas but it was well done, and there was good characterisation. Unlike some things where all the criminals seem the same here the main characters were different (though only one of the women seemed really fleshed out which was a bit disappointing). The other disappointing thing was that it was only 76 pages long. It felt more like a comic than a collected graphic novel. It felt like the story was only getting going when it ended. Still I enjoyed it enough that I will definitely be picking up the next volume. ...more
Oh dear. And then the very interesting and different Bombshells series turned into a very typical, and slightly dull, standard superhero comic! This wOh dear. And then the very interesting and different Bombshells series turned into a very typical, and slightly dull, standard superhero comic! This was ALL action, no character development (well except for Steve Trevor who finally became a human) and a bit of girls flirting. But it was nearly ALL ACTION. It was nice to see them all join together and have one big story, but despite that it still felt like it was all just a big long action sequence. Now I'm debating giving up on this as individual episodes and just wait for the graphic novels to come out to save money. Will see what the next one is like....more
First of all I've been excited to read this one for months. I think it is simply one of the most beautiful covers of a comic ever. The "evil" singer bFirst of all I've been excited to read this one for months. I think it is simply one of the most beautiful covers of a comic ever. The "evil" singer being all vulnerable and small with her cat. Simplistic and yet saying so much. It's kinda everything that's perfect about this series.
This issue felt WAY too short though. It was good that unlike the cartoon Jerrica's boyfriend isn't a two timing dick! But it still felt a bit odd the way she was able to break out of her evil programming. However, I LOVED the way they got the rest of the band members. I felt super sorry for Blaze singing to the possessed audience. I wanted them to love her as much as I did. Looking forward to seeing them take on synergy next issue. ...more
I know there was a little backlash about the way the comic handled Blaze outing herself to the group. But I thought it was lovely. Like the women's seI know there was a little backlash about the way the comic handled Blaze outing herself to the group. But I thought it was lovely. Like the women's sexuality there was just total acceptance and no comment needed. I understood why she did it and loved how it ended up not being a big deal. This comic is full of queer acceptance and story lines. Every time I read one I feel the little girl in me grow happier and feel more accepted. I love that there are queer girls out there who are reading this and can identify with it. Plus the dark Jem outfits are just GORGEOUS! Can I have them all please? The scene with the crowd at the end was terrifying. Fantastic series....more
Still loving this series. The mixture of good and bad characters is much more pleasant than standard super hero fare. The only downside is the storiesStill loving this series. The mixture of good and bad characters is much more pleasant than standard super hero fare. The only downside is the stories seem to short. I do hope this gets a massive trade/graphic novel at some point. The story that sticked with me the most was Zantana and John, no idea how he got into their world. But it's a very interesting development. Looking forward to the next issue as always....more
I will admit I didn't love this as much as the other Jem comics. It was entirely silly, a love potion that went awry. Fun and fluffy for Valentine's dI will admit I didn't love this as much as the other Jem comics. It was entirely silly, a love potion that went awry. Fun and fluffy for Valentine's day but I think I would have preferred a storyline that focused on the couples who were actually dating. But it was still entertaining and the art was better than the last non-Sophie drawn issue....more
Somehow I managed to miss that this issue had been released and ended up reading it after 11. It was a sweet story as it showed a much more balanced sSomehow I managed to miss that this issue had been released and ended up reading it after 11. It was a sweet story as it showed a much more balanced side of the Misfits as they all joined together for Piazza's hospital stay. It was interesting to see things from Rio's perspective. But I fear it was let down by the art. Corin just didn't know how to draw the women and they ended up looking ugly and frumpy! The other two guest artists added more of their own style to Sophie's creations but this time it just looked quite bad. I'm really glad that Sophie is back drawing now. ...more
I've been looking forward to the Dark Jem story line since it was revealed. I mean Goth Jem is just the most perfect idea. When I went to the store toI've been looking forward to the Dark Jem story line since it was revealed. I mean Goth Jem is just the most perfect idea. When I went to the store to buy this yesterday I ended up buying the box set of ALL the covers! Normally I scoff at the idea of variant covers. They seem designed purely to get money for collectors on the hopes of resale value. But I just LOVED all the girls so much I had to get them all in their outfits. Inside was no disappointment either. It was so wonderful to have Sophie illustrating again. As she had drawn the first issues, that's how I saw the women looking, and it was good to see them back to their original forms. Especially Stormer, I don't think she could possibly look any cuter!
The story was wonderful too! It reminded me how much I love Kelly's writing. She just makes the characters so natural and believable. Teenage would be rock stars living with a hologram, but still totally people you can relate to. The Misfits were auditioning a new singer, and the holograms decided it was time for another party. The only problem with these comics is that 25 pages seems far too short! I'm really looking forward to the next issue! ...more
When I learned that there was a lesbian mystery set in the same time and period as all my theatre research I decided I really should read it. Reading When I learned that there was a lesbian mystery set in the same time and period as all my theatre research I decided I really should read it. Reading "historical fiction" having read so many primary sources from the period seemed odd. There was nothing wrong with the setting of the book the writer had clearly done her research on how things were, but the book just lacked the cultural vibe of the 30s. There was none of the wit or introspection found in most of the 30s books I've been immersing myself in.
Instead this book was filled with characters, there were many, and little distinguishing features between them it was hard to keep them all straight. In a way I can see this working better as a TV serial. There you would have different actors playing the different parts, it would be much easier to keep people straight. As it was there was no difference in style or description, or interior thoughts that often I found I'd entered a new scene with new characters and then had to go back and re-read because I'd missed the change over. I think part of this was down the prose. I'd just finished reading a Victorian gothic novel and I found this heavy going. It was just a bit turgid. No relief, no real insight into anyone until the end, and more telling than showing.
It was quite interesting to have a view of the queer woman actress and how people related to her. I saw hints of Beatrix there. But really that was the only interesting thing for me. When I finished the book I decided instead of reading more to read some of Josephine Tey's own mystery novels instead in the hopes that they are a little more lively. Definitely one I'm glad I borrowed from the library....more
Jem has definitely been my favourtie comic of the year. The holiday special saw the girls making ammends with the misfits, in a very sweet and adorablJem has definitely been my favourtie comic of the year. The holiday special saw the girls making ammends with the misfits, in a very sweet and adorable way, through a gift exchange. Happiness was brought about by girls dating! It was very sweet. Amy's art was much more rounded and childlike than the other two. The girls had lost their punkish look of Sophie's drawing, but the cuteness suited the story and there were some really beautiful pictures, especially of Stomer.
Loving this series and can't wait for the next issue! (which is set before this one but release dates got a bit messed up)...more
It took me ages to finish this and as such I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the first one. It started off well, but whereas the first volume was a It took me ages to finish this and as such I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the first one. It started off well, but whereas the first volume was a collection of short stories with different character, this was more of a novel, following the same two main characters but done in a very disjointed style. Because it was broken down into small sections the pacing felt very odd and a lot of the events seemed to have no greater significance. I think I probably would have given it four stars if I read it in a couple of days instead of several weeks. But as it was it just seemed to meander on too long.
The start was very interesting, and quite horrific, as a punishment for spurning a suitor a lesbian was forced into sex with every man in her kingdom. This seemed particularly hideous. To save her kingdom she had to go to great lengths, but then was punished for a 1000 years for it, and then dropped out of the story almost completely. She had a child who swapped genders, which was quite interesting, but the lives of the immortals seemed mostly pointless. There weren't nearly as many supernatural creatures that came into the story which I found disappointing.
I have bought the next one in this series already and am looking forward to reading it, but will definitely try and read it quicker than I managed this one!...more
This was wonderful. So lovely to read a second novel that doesn't disappoint. In many ways I think this was even better than the first. The murder vicThis was wonderful. So lovely to read a second novel that doesn't disappoint. In many ways I think this was even better than the first. The murder victim was more sympathetic. There were more characters and the world felt bigger and more defined. I love the way Cantor is written, even though she's not a detective she is a proper hard boiled, film noir anti hero that takes on gender norms beautifully. She is a butch in a world of dames. My only niggle with the book was the reveal of the murderer, it just felt a bit of an unhealthy cliche. Still everything else about this was wonderful. I can't wait for the next one in the series. ...more
