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marthareads's review
3.0
It's a bit dated now (2012), with a lot of talk about political lesbians vs congenital, etc. But the earlier sections are quite good. If I were teaching a course on societal attitudes to same-gender attraction, I would use portions of this. It's also very readable.
aliceburton's review
4.0
Even if you disagree with some of Faderman's 1981 conclusions (especially about more contemporary events — the section on feminism and women 'choosing' to be lesbian as a feminist statement made me do some facepalming), the amount of research that went into this book — PRE-INTERNET, mind you — is staggering.
She traces the history of romantic friendship from the 1500s to the 1970s, and gives an excellent overview of lesbian literature while doing so. She has stated in recent times that she regrets the Anne Lister diaries not having come to light when she was writing this, but that is one missed example among tens that she did find.
I read Diana Victrix by Florence Converse because of this book. I know more about Gertrude Stein; I am looking forward to reading the poetry of Amy Lowell; I'm trying to get my hands on the letters of Geraldine Jewsbury and Jane Carlyle; I'll be reading 'A Description of Millennium Hall,' as well as 'Lesbia Brandon' by Swinburne and 'Ormond' by Charles Brockden Brown.
It's been a fantastic experience.
She traces the history of romantic friendship from the 1500s to the 1970s, and gives an excellent overview of lesbian literature while doing so. She has stated in recent times that she regrets the Anne Lister diaries not having come to light when she was writing this, but that is one missed example among tens that she did find.
I read Diana Victrix by Florence Converse because of this book. I know more about Gertrude Stein; I am looking forward to reading the poetry of Amy Lowell; I'm trying to get my hands on the letters of Geraldine Jewsbury and Jane Carlyle; I'll be reading 'A Description of Millennium Hall,' as well as 'Lesbia Brandon' by Swinburne and 'Ormond' by Charles Brockden Brown.
It's been a fantastic experience.
pastelkerstin's review
I got this from the uni library and it's LONG so I didn't finish it and had to return it.
Some statements in this were really affirming as an ace aro-spec wlw. Of course the a-spec wasn't mentioned, because it's a book from the 80s, but the author presents the idea that non-sexual committed relationships between women can still be considered sapphic/lesbian. That being gay doesn't have to involve a sexual component. And I think that's super rad.
Some statements in this were really affirming as an ace aro-spec wlw. Of course the a-spec wasn't mentioned, because it's a book from the 80s, but the author presents the idea that non-sexual committed relationships between women can still be considered sapphic/lesbian. That being gay doesn't have to involve a sexual component. And I think that's super rad.
sabz's review
4.0
The first two thirds of this book, dealing with "romantic friendship" between women in the 16th-19th centuries, are brilliantly done. A fascinating examination of lesbian history and women's history. The final third, dealing with the 20th century, is weaker in comparison, particularly due to Faderman's advocacy for what are now seen as outdated concepts (e.g. political lesbianism). However, all in all, it's a valuable and enjoyable read. Maybe consider stopping reading once you get to the second wave feminist movement.
brynhammond's review
3.0
My 1981 cover isn't here: photograph of two nineteenth-century ladies, an arm around each other, one of them in a haughty go-away glance over her shoulder straight at the camera. I dare say this is way outdated in attitudes, but I met a lot of interesting women.
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