The GLBTRT has been reviewing books and movies in its newsletter since the early 1990s. Trace the evolution of queer publishing through these historic reviews. This review was originally published in Vol. 4, No. 2, Summer 1992.
Tee Corinne’s book is a beginning exploration of some parts of the San Francisco lesbian/ gay communities. If you ever wondered what the lesbians were doing while Maupin was writing Tales of the City et alia, you can at least find out what they’re doing now.
Centered on five lesbians of various ages who live in San Francisco and are from sundry parts of the South, the nexus of this novel in short story form is a gallery opening show of the photographs of one of the main characters, Jo.
Clair is the unwitting subject of several of Jo’s photos. In her late 30’s, she has spent the past 15 years caring first for her parent sand then for a young gay artist who had AIDS; her one relationship, with Gilliam, ended when Gilliam announced she was getting married. Gilliam, the most obviously troubled of the group, is now divorced, and completing her dissertation on contemporary women artists, among whom Jo is one of her favorites. Jo’s landladies are Dell and Lotimarie. Dell, a recovering alcoholic and incest survivor, is now a counselor for troubled teens; Lotimarie is in her fourth post-cancer year, and has just started a small lesbian/feminist publishing company with her retirement money; her first employee turns out to be Clair. Jo, the photographer, hasn’t settled down with anyone yet, but is strongly attracted to some of the women in her photography support group – and more so to Clair. The comparison with weaving is very tempting: separate lives/threads coming together, briefly forming a knot, then some staying while others go off in different directions, perhaps to meet again later.
All these women are well, if briefly, drawn and have their own voices. The minor characters are strong too,and I found myself looking forward to the next book to find out what happens: do Jo and Clair develop a relationship? Is Dell able to help Gilliam? What about Gilliam and Rosemary? What about Clair’s gay Uncle Paul and his partner? Does Lotimarie retain her health? What about Jo’s daughter?
This book is recommended for all collections which include lesbian and gay fiction.
Reviewed by Susan Lee Sills
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
