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Rachel reviews The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin by Colette Moody

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Readers who like an entertaining and witty read about female pirates and swashbuckling adventures will find The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin by Colette Moody as a good starting point. With two lesbian leads, this book will appeal to some who, like me, can’t get enough of lesbian/pirate fiction.

In 1702, Gayle Malvern, a pirate captain’s daughter, must take command of the ship, Original Sin, when her father is wounded in a battle. She orders her men to go into town and kidnap a doctor to help heal the injured. The doctor’s fiancée, Celia Pierce, is kidnapped instead for her skills as a seamstress while her spineless betrothed cowers in the next room. After Celia tends to the wounded, she and Gayle become better acquainted. Both are drawn to the other, though they playfully banter and play hard to get. When Gayle is asked to rescue a woman kidnapped by slave traders, Celia decides to come along for the adventure. Both women, besides meeting colorful people, experience a storm at sea, sword fights and ship battles. All the while, their love for each other becomes more evident.

Original Sin is purely a fun adventure novel. Some things are a bit unrealistic, like most characters being accepting of homosexuals when at that period, their attitudes would have been harsher. And the language in the book sounds more like 21st century talk than the early 1700s. But those things aside, Gayle and Celia’s story keeps the pages turning.

Colette Moody does an excellent job describing the females who broke society’s rules for women, and how they, whether they were gay, bisexual, or straight, moved on to captain their own ships or disguise as male sailors. Each woman is fleshed out as human and they have their own stories to tell. One of my favorite characters was Molly McCarthy, a young woman who had disguised as a man on two different ships, and then served on Gayle’s ship openly as a female. She was not only tough and strong-willed; she was handy with a sword and managed to get herself out of messes without assistance. She was no damsel in distress, which was refreshing.

Gayle and Celia held their own, too. The action sequences in Original Sin were different each time. One would be a daring rescue in a tavern, and another would be a skirmish on an abandoned island. Each one was engaging, and though gory in detail, the storyline had just the right amount of suspense.

There were sweet moments too, when Gayle and Celia’s love and faith in each other helped them keep going. Each woman did noble deeds and helped others in some way. Though they were technically pirates, they didn’t fit the stereotype, as they were saving lives and defending those who needed it. That made the story even more entertaining.

The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin is definitely a good book to read on a pleasant afternoon if there is time to spare. But be prepared to be unable to put it down! With the well-fleshed out characters and intriguing story, Colette Moody adds another novel to lesbian and pirate literature.

Rachel reviews Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden

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Fans of lesbian young adult literature should really pick up Annie On My Mind, by Nancy Garden. First published in 1982, Annie was one of the first lesbian fiction novels to have a happy ending. Garden put so much care and love into her story, and it really shows.

The story is told in the voice of Liza Winthrop, a seventeen year old high school senior looking to get into MIT. At a museum in New York City, she meets Annie Kenyon, also a high school senior, who is kind and musical. The two become good friends, and together they explore their city and get to know each other well. Soon, their tender feelings turn into love, and Liza grapples with the idea of being gay. She and Annie harbor their secret romance, and when Liza is discovered by her friends and family, she must decide whether to continue her relationship with Annie.

This novel is written in a kind of dreamlike quality that makes it beautiful. The characters of Liza and Annie are wonderful with each other. They have their faults, dreams, fears and insecurities. Annie especially sees the world in an imaginative way, which shows in her talks with Liza about the future and things in the present. She and down-to-earth, level-headed Liza, balance each other out really well.

The supporting characters were great too. I especially loved Liza’s art teacher, Ms. Stevenson. She has a strong sense of justice and is not afraid to say so. The headmistress at Liza’s private school, Mrs. Poindexter, is prim and proper, while Annie’s grandmother, Nana, provides some laughs with her easy going manner. In all, each character in the book enhanced the storyline and added to the plot nicely.

Garden also sent powerful messages about homophobia, intolerance, and same-sex love. When Liza is outed, the reactions around her range from disbelief and disgust to sadness and questioning. Most infuriating was Ms. Baxter, the headmistress’s aide, who was very judgmental to Liza, Annie, and other gay characters. Anyone reading Annie can easily recognize the homophobia and hatred that homosexuals still face today. The best of all messages, though, was that same-sex love is not a bad thing. That love is love. “Don’t let ignorance win, let love”, one of the novel’s quotes, really sums up the idea of love.

On a personal note, Annie is a very special book for me. This was the first lesbian novel I ever read. Sadly, Nancy Garden passed away in June, but she left a legacy of love and acceptance. A wonderful writer and advocate for gay rights, she and Annie On My Mind will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Rachel reviews Dare Truth or Promise by Paula Boock

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In this 1997 novel by Paula Boock, Dare, Truth, or Promise explores the lives of two New Zealand teenage girls, and their budding romance.

Louise “Louie” Angelo is a confident girl preparing to become a lawyer. She meets Willa, a quiet new girl at her school who wants to be a chef. From the beginning, Louie is fascinated by Willa, who is reeling from a painful breakup with a girl that almost cost her everything. The girls become good friends, and Willa finds herself falling in love again. Soon, Louie’s admiration turns to love, and the two become lovers. But when Louie’s uptight mother finds out, a rough road is in store for both Louie and Willa. They must confront old demons and their own fears of homosexuality in order to be together.

Dare, Truth, or Promise is an easy read, told from both Louie and Willa’s perspectives, and the characters are realistic. It’s interesting how the two leads, Louie and Willa, are so opposite. Louie is from a rich family, lives in a big house, and is in a practicing Catholic family. Willa, on the other hand, is living in a pub her widowed mother owns, and is an atheist. Still, the girls have an undeniable love, and really care for each other. Other characters are interesting, such as Susi, Louie’s mother, who suspects her daughter’s relationship from the beginning. Other characters include Mo, Louie’s best friend at their all-girls school, Cathy, Willa’s ex-girlfriend, and of course, Willa’s adorable dog, Judas.

The fears the girls have over their relationship is very real. Louie worries that she is a sinner, while Willa worries of having her heart broken again. For a while, things are tense as Louie and Willa try to sort their emotions out, as well as gain acceptance from their families, friends, and religious groups. There are even a couple of nail biting moments that really drew me in.

This book, which takes place in New Zealand, has a glossary of words for the grammar and slang used in the story. And though tense at times, Dare, Truth, or Promise has really funny moments, such as the dog’s antics, or the banter between Louie and her brother and sister. And the moments where Louie and Willa are together, whether watching airplanes take off, or swimming in Louie’s Jacuzzi, add to the story. They have their disagreements; neither of them is perfect. But that accurately reflects all couples, be they gay or straight.

Though it’s a relatively short novel, (170 pages), it packs a punch and is very entertaining. Dare, Truth, or Promise is an exciting addition to teen lesbian literature.

Rachel reviews Ask The Passengers by A.S. King

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All across America, millions of teenage girls are asking themselves “Am I gay?” and “Is it wrong to be a lesbian?” They also ask “How will I tell anybody; what will they think of me?” YA author A.S. King has written Ask The Passengers, a novel where one lesbian girl asks herself these questions and more.

Astrid Jones lives in Unity Valley with her uptight mother, her father who is on drugs, and a younger sister. She is in love with Dee, and wants to be in a relationship with her, but nobody knows Astrid is gay. She is afraid to tell her family and friends, as Unity Valley is a town riddled with gossip and backstabbing. To make herself feel better, Astrid sends mental love up to the planes flying overhead, as the passengers won’t judge her.

But the pressure is mounting. Dee, who is out and proud, is pushing Astrid to come out too, something Astrid is not ready for. But when she is accidentally outed, the whole town, including her family, learns the truth. Astrid faces betrayal by her friends, nasty rumors by her narrow-minded school, and the horror of her family. She ponders deeply on her life, and how she wants to live it.

Ask The Passengers is a neat new edition to YA lesbian fiction. Astrid Jones is highly relatable, and readers will feel for her as she questions her sexuality and deals with homophobia. Many people in her life are hypocrites, such as her mother, Claire. She claims to be okay about homosexuality, but reacts the most negatively when she learns about her oldest daughter being gay. Astrid’s school pretends to be tolerant, but really is like the rest of not-so-united Unity Valley. Even Ellis, Astrid’s sister, is afraid to be around Astrid. King really brought the homophobia to life that lesbians face every day, and that made the story more real.

Another really cool aspect of Ask The Passengers was the supernatural karma. Every time Astrid sent a plane her love, the point of view of the story would briefly switch to a passenger on the plane who was going through some issue in his or her life. They would feel Astrid’s love and suddenly know how to fix their situation. I’ve never seen a lesbian story do that, so it was refreshing to see a new take on it.

King also adds real philosophical questions. Astrid is studying Socrates (who she likes to call Frank), and is learning his theories on many aspects of life. My favorite was his cave theory, which was about seeing a narrow view of the world, and how it affects people’s outlook on reality. I thought it tied in perfectly with our society and the gay rights issues we have today.

For any lesbian, this book is an interesting read. Astrid voices many closeted, just coming out lesbians, or lesbians who were unexpectedly outed. She is funny, to the point, and direct with her feelings. A gripping read, Ask The Passengers will resonate with readers even long after they finish it.

Rachel reviews Gravity by Leanne Lieberman

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For many gays and lesbians, religion, be it Christianity or Judaism, can be very hard to reconcile to and keep true to their identities at the same time. Gravity by Leanne Lieberman explores these very problems for a lesbian Orthodox Jewish teenager.

It is the summer of 1987 in Canada, and fifteen year old Ellie Gold, the younger daughter of two Jewish teachers, goes to stay with her grandmother for the summer. With her Bubbie, Ellie feels more freedom than she ever had at home with her strict parents. During her vacation, she meets Lindsay, a Christian girl with strong rebellious tendencies. They become unlikely friends, and soon share their first kiss, which leaves Ellie confused about herself and her faith.

Once summer ends and Ellie goes back to school, she begins to painstakingly research what the Torah says on homosexuality. The answers she gets from the Torah and her school counselor lead her to feelings of shame and self-loathing. She tries to push her thoughts of Lindsay away, but the girl keeps entering her mind. Soon, she questions the accuracy of the Torah and wonders if she has a place in her faith.

This story of one girl’s soul-searching is gripping and can easily resonate with questioning lesbians of any faith. I found Ellie to be a highly relatable character; her alarm at her first stirrings of attraction, her questioning and agonizing “Is this wrong?” “Why can’t I change?” repeats the same questions of lesbians everywhere. I saw my own pain and fear in Ellie. And her feelings of having no place in her religion is a major issue for lesbians today.

Gravity, besides having serious religious questions, can also be comical. Ellie’s Bubbie is funny and provides a few laughs. Ellie’s sister Neshama is a rebellious teen trying to make her own way in the world. She and Ellie exchange some banter, but really care for each other, as evidenced by Neshama’s accepting attitude towards her sister.

Leanne Lieberman does a good job showing the customs of Orthodox Judaism, as well as the language spoken during prayers. In the back of the book is a glossary of Hebrew words and names of the holidays Ellie and her family celebrate, such as Purim and Rosh Hashanah.

There are good subplots to the story as well, such as Neshama’s secretly applying to universities and Ellie’s mother’s struggle to find her own niche in the Jewish faith. There’s also the enigmatic Lindsay, who has issues of her own to deal with. Each subplot adds in to the story so that the reader sees multiple things going on, not just Ellie’s relationship with Lindsay. It gives the book a more realistic feel to it, and brings out the characters a lot more.

Anyone who is into lesbians trying to reconcile their faith should pick up this book. Though it takes place over twenty years ago, Gravity still resonates with modern lesbians. With its realistic characters and plotlines, people will be drawn in to Ellie’s story and see their own at the same time.

Rachel reviews Lady Knight by L-J Baker

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Anyone looking for a good lesbian love story that takes place in the medieval period should definitely try Lady Knight by L-J Baker. It has a perfect blend of romance, battles, and intriguing characters.

The story opens with Riannon, an open female knight who is rejected by almost everyone who learns her true identity. She is honorable and chivalrous, but people only see her as a misfit. She is saved from a mortal wounding by her cousin, the queen’s sister Aveline, and is now under her services. Aveline is plotting a holy war, and selfishly tries to become a leader of the highest religious order.

Eleanor is a beautiful and wealthy widow, who catches the eye of many a man. But she has had enough of arranged marriages and wants to keep her freedom. When she first meets Riannon, the two have an immediate attraction to each other, and finally they become lovers. But can two medieval women really end up together?

The story is set in a fantasy world with magical healing abilities and charmed swords. Other than that, Baker paints a very real medieval world. The cultures and countries, though made up, strongly resonate with our world. The dialogue between the characters is interesting, as they speak the way a medieval person might have. The customs and the religion are invented so well they are almost real; what with the prayers they utter, and the offerings they make to their gods and goddesses.

I loved the way Riannon and Eleanor’s love for each other was portrayed. They clearly respected each other, and both did a lot of soul searching about their love for each other and what it meant for them. The love scenes were sweet and tender, and their love was so palpable it radiated right out of the book.

Besides the romance, there are some action sequences: battles and duels which Riannon must overcome. There are other hurdles as well, such as Aveline and her sister each using the two women for their own selfish purposes, misogynist men, an impending war, and the ghosts of Riannon and Eleanor’s own pasts.

I love how I came to know both Riannon and Eleanor. All throughout the book, bits and pieces of their backgrounds come to light, and by the end the pieces are woven into a history about each woman. This added more to their already well fleshed out personalities. It also made the book richer in detail.

Lady Knight is a gripping read, as well as heart-warming in places. I’ve read this book five or six times and have never gotten tired of it. For a lesbian/medieval romance, it was everything I had hoped for. Though it may not appeal to some, for others this gem of a novel will make great reading.

[Also check out Anna and Spencer’s reviews of this book!]

Rachel reviews Water Witch: The Deceiver’s Grave by Nene Adams

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Novels about lesbians and pirates seem to be an ever-growing popular genre. I’m happy to recommend a book that has these things: Water Witch: The Deceiver’s Grave by Nene Adams.

The story starts as female pirate captain, Bess O’Bedlam, goes to Antigua to follow up on a rumor about the whereabouts of another pirate, Fancy Tom Carew, and his lost ship, the Deceiver. Treasure is believed to have been on board Carew’s ship, and Bess loves gold, so the opportunity seems too good to pass up. She learns that another woman, Marguerite de Vries, may be the key to finding the treasure. So she kidnaps the woman and brings her aboard her ship, the Mad Maudlin.

Marguerite, an orphan-turned-thief, has no idea why she is linked to Tom Carew, except for a strange tattoo on her shoulder that she’s never been able to really explain. At first, she and Bess hate each other and then they try to seduce each other for their own gains, but in reality, there is a genuine attraction between them that neither will admit at first. As they get closer to finding the Deceiver, Bess and Marguerite soon learn that there is a lot more at stake than just lost treasure, and there are supernatural forces at work.

Water Witch, though it takes place in a real time period, has magic, demons, witch-fire, and spook-binding spells that give the book a more ghostly appeal. So many characters in the book have some knowledge of magic. That takes away some realism from the book, but not much, because the rest feels so real. And the magic is a pretty good touch.

The story itself, besides the supernatural, seems very much in keeping with what went on in the Caribbean in the eighteenth century. There is nautical jargon and old slang terms that I had to look up in the glossary. Though annoying at times to stop in the middle of a tense scene to look something up, the story certainly seemed more authentic.

Water Witch was packed with action, especially near the end. Sea battles, demon attacks, sword fights, and a deadly showdown kept me reading. There were unexpected twists and surprises. The book was very descriptive, even at the gory scenes, that I could easily picture what was going on. There were no moments of wondering where the characters were, or what they were doing. Everything was pretty clear, which made it easier to enjoy the book. The best part of the novel was watching Bess and Marguerite slowly acknowledge their love for each other and throw their differences aside. There were definitely “Oh my gosh!” moments, and “How will they make it?” scenes that are nail-biting. But it works out satisfactorily in the end. My only problem with Water Witch was that I didn’t learn much about Bess’s past. Marguerite’s story was well told, as it was necessary for the plot, but I would have loved to know more about Bess’s childhood, her parents, and what drove her to become a pirate. I got tiny hints here and there, but not enough to clearly form her story. This made her a bit less fleshed out than I’d like.

Besides that though, Water Witch: The Deceiver’s Grave was a gripping, well researched read. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but for hardcore pirate fans. Still, the adventure was fun, and the book never got boring once. Nene Adams clearly put a lot of work into her story, and it shows well. I’ll be reading this one again!

Rachel posted Happy Endings Are All Alike by Sandra Scoppettone

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In 1978, a lesbian novel was published by Sandra Scoppettone, called Happy Endings Are All Alike. Though it’s almost four decades later, the book still hits home the prejudices, sexism, and hatred against gays and lesbians, and the plight of gays was just being acknowledged to the nation.

In Gardener’s Point, a small narrow-minded town, Jaret Tyler is enjoying her summer before going to college. She is also in the midst of a love affair with former classmate, Peggy Danziger. The two are happy with each other and their relationship, but are only out to a few people; like Kay, Jaret’s feminist mother, and Bianca, their friend who introduced them. They know that, if their affair were to be found out, they would face major prejudice. And when one bitter, angry young man learns of their secret, he uses it as an excuse to brutally violate Jaret, turning the girl’s worlds upside down.

Happy Endings has amazingly real characters. Nobody is perfect. Jaret and Peggy have their troubles, like any couple, and the supporting characters, like Jaret’s parents and moody brother, bring out a real touch to the novel. Some characters are funny and likeable, while others are downright revolting. Bianca is very eccentric, dramatic, and over the top hilarious. Peggy’s older sister, Claire, feels ugly compared to Peggy and as a result has deep bitterness, insecurity, and spite. She detests homosexuality, and uses Peggy’s secret to hold over her. Then there is Jaret’s detestable attacker.

Jaret and her mother are very into women’s rights, and they do deal with sexism. One case was when Jaret was being interviewed after the attack by Chief Foster. He bluntly implied that she was to be blamed for the beating and the rape, and not “the poor boy.” Though father of a girl himself, Foster asks Jaret mean questions about the attack, and when he learns she is a lesbian, he suggests the parents don’t press charges.

Happy Endings is a good book that shows how bad homophobia and sexism can get, but I would only recommend it for mature readers. The scene where Jaret is raped is highly disturbing and her treatment by her attacker and Foster will make any reader furious. The book is good to read about the gay movement in the 70s, but for a gay person coming out, it may be too heavy.

Happy Endings, though very dark, is not like the earlier doomsday lesbian novels. There are still unanswered questions at the end, like how the attacker’s trial goes, but Jaret is determined to punish him. And though for a while it looks like Jaret and Peggy can’t work out their relationship, in the last scene they reconcile and it’s strongly hinted that they will find a way to be together. “Happy Endings Are All Alike” is one of the first lesbian novels that offer hope at the end, and for that and its realistic story, I recommend it.

Rachel reviews Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden

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While most fans of lesbian literature will recognize Nancy Garden for her classic romance Annie on my Mind, there are still plenty of other books she has written that young lesbians can relate to. Good Moon Rising is one of them. It has a combination of lesbian lovers, theatre and acting, and intolerance and ignorance of homosexuality.

Seventeen year old Jan Montcrief, a budding young stage actress, returns to her school after a pleasant time at a summer acting program. The theatre coach, Mrs. Nicholson, is putting on The Crucible, a play about the Salem Witch Trials, and Jan auditions for the female lead, Elizabeth Proctor. She is soon shocked to learn that she will not be playing Elizabeth; she will be a stage manager. The new girl, Kerry Ann Socrides has gotten Jan’s part. At first upset, Jan grows to enjoy her new role, and to befriend Kerry as they work on Crucible together. Soon, Mrs. Nicholson is in poor health, and Jan must take over as director. She and Kerry fall deeply in love, which their classmates pick up on pretty fast. And some are determined to use that against the girls.

Good Moon Rising does a wonderful job with the characters, making Jan and Kerry likeable. Also Jan’s wondering “Am I gay?” will strongly resonate with any lesbian doing her own soul-searching. The supporting characters add to the story. Ted, Jan’s lifelong best friend, has his own feelings for Jan that complicate their friendship. Kerry’s eccentric and silly Aunt Elena provides some laughs, though she has her reservations about homosexuality. Perhaps the most conflicted and prejudiced character is Kent, a classmate playing John Proctor. He is openly gay-bashing and always trying to prove himself as a “real” man. But Jan soon suspects that Kent is hiding his own homosexuality. It’s ironic; Kent, a homosexual himself, actually does the most bullying in the book.

The prejudice Jan and Kerry face parallel to the hysteria and ignorance of those who participated in the Salem Witch Trials. All over school, signs saying “I saw Jan Montcrief with the devil, I saw Kerry Socrides with the devil” are posted, sounding like the lines used in The Crucible. Kerry and Jan are thrown Bible quotes alongside threats and prank phone calls. Their classmates are going out of their way to ruin the two girls and break them apart; all because of their own fears and hatreds, much like Crucible and the Salem trials.

Good Moon Rising, compared with Annie on my Mind, is somewhat darker in tone, as the prejudice the girls face is bolder, and Jan must come to terms with Mrs. Nicholson’s terminal illness and eventual death. The book has a few sadder scenes, and Jan and Kerry are dealt a lot of homophobic blows. For a while, things between them are uncertain. And the story is set in late fall, giving a dreary atmosphere.

But there is still hope for Jan and Kerry. With help from Jan’s gay friend Raphael, the girls begin to come out and take braver steps in telling their families and remaining together. Though some questions are left unanswered, Good Moon Rising ends on a happy note. Jan and Kerry’s love for each other seems stronger, and both feel more comfortable as lesbians. And they do have the support of friends to pull them through. While Good Moon Rising is a more somber read, it is a masterpiece in its own right, and should be remembered as one of Nancy Garden’s best novels.

Rachel reviews The Child Manuela by Christa Winsloe

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German novelist and playwright Christa Winsloe wrote a daring book for her time: The Child Manuela, published in 1934; a novel about a young lesbian’s love for an older woman. It was first published as a play, and later adapted into two movies: Madchen (Girls) In Uniform in 1931 and the 1958 remake of the same name.

In the novel, set in 1910s Prussia, young Manuela von Meinhardis is born to a respected officer in the Prussian regiment, and to a loving mother. The story starts out with Manuela’s carefree childhood, until the deaths of her oldest brother Ali and her mother. Throughout the story, Manuela’s lesbianism is hinted. Her first love starts as a child, with a self-centered classmate, Eva, who just wants to use Manuela to get Manuela’s other brother, Berti. As the girl enters her teens, she is courted by Fritz, but falls madly in love with his mother. Manuela’s father, mistakenly believing his daughter loves Fritz, sends her to a stringent boarding school for officer’s daughters.

Once at the school, Manuela is overwhelmed with the regulations and the stern, unsympathetic staff. Only one teacher, Elisabeth von Bernburg, shows friendship and compassion for the girls. Manuela welcomes the attention, and finds herself falling in love again, but deeper, with Fraulein von Bernburg. Though the teacher herself has feelings for Manuela, she is reserved and aloof. At the headmistress’s birthday party, Manuela gets drunk and yells of her love for Bernburg, leading to the headmistress’s wrath and isolating punishment. Fraulein von Bernburg is dismissed, and Manuela, feeling alone and abandoned, makes a tragic and irreversible decision.

Having seen the 1958 movie based off of this book, I was really excited to read the original version. Sadly I was disappointed. First, though The Child Manuela is a “lesbian classic”, the story takes a long time to get into that genre. The plot dragged on with Manuela as a very young girl. Though the book is told in multiple viewpoints, I found it sometimes cut into Manuela’s view. And a lot of the scenes, though devoted to describing Prussia in that time period, seemed unnecessary to Manuela’s story. I found myself wondering when the book would pick up.

As the novel slowly goes into Manuela and her growing sexual feelings for women, it gets a bit more interesting. Still, the dialogue between characters was often slow, or not very believable. Manuela’s crush on Eva seemed tacked in, and not a real romantic feeling.

The Child Manuela has interesting characters, like Ilse, the funny, rules-optional pupil at the boarding school, Edelgard, Manuela’s kind and understanding friend, and Manuela’s father, known only as Meinhardis. They all give their own quirks to the novel, and there were some moments that were funny, such as Manuela’s conversations with Ilse. Still, the viewpoints of some characters broke into Manuela’s story, which took away something from the plot.

Winsloe did do a good job showing the homophobia at that time, when the school learned of Manuela’s attraction. The self-righteous attitude, the need to “cure” Manuela, and the belief of her sexuality being “abnormal.” The poor young girl is put in isolation, away from her friends, and is viewed as something bad by the headmistress. Even Bernburg tells her that her love is wrong. All this builds up to the story’s tragic conclusion.

What bothered me most about this book is, of course, the ending. For a young teen girl coming out to herself and her family, I would definitely not recommend this novel. What happened to Manuela is very sad and depressing. The movies had a happier conclusion for her than the book did. At least in the movies there is hope for Manuela. But the book left no room for hope. It was horribly sad to read about, and in a way grow up with, this young girl, and have her story end so tragically. Another downer for the ending was that it just ended in an abrupt manner that was almost rude. The story flowed, then the tragic event happened, and the story just stopped. There was no aftermath of what happened to Fraulein von Bernburg or Manuela’s friends. There was no answer to the question of whether the headmistress would change her awful policies. The story just stopped with no time for what had happened to truly sink in; no conclusion. After the story is just a “The End”, which dashed all hopes for a better outcome, or at least something to make the book worthwhile.

I’m extremely fond of the 1958 Madchen In Uniform, but The Child Manuela does not hold a candle to it. For readers looking for a story with a happy, or at least the hope of a happy ending, look elsewhere. You should only read it if you really love old lesbian fiction. I have no intention of reading this book again. It was a pure disappointment.