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banjo_hammer's review against another edition
Got pulled into other books. This one is very interesting, but a bit dense
fractaltexan's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting book that characterizes and challenges the myth that Same-Sex Marriage is a recent phenomenon. Through the lens of the Victorian Era and its problems with morality in the world of sexuality, this is a fresh beam of light that shows that LGBT people not only existed but that, for the most part, society didn't care. I find this to be a true example of liberalism and personal freedoms.
Cleves uses sources in a clever way, piecing the lives of Charity and Sylvia together from personal letters and the like.
Cleves uses sources in a clever way, piecing the lives of Charity and Sylvia together from personal letters and the like.
beckykirk's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. Well researched and well written.
andipants's review against another edition
4.0
Well-researched and extensively documented. The subject matter necessitates a good deal of "reading between the lines", as it were, but the author does a good job of explaining when she's doing that, and why, and going over all possible interpretations where multiple possibilities exist. My only complaint was that the end product was honestly a little dull, but if nothing else, that underscores the fact that these were ordinary people living ordinary lives except for a few (obviously very important) differences in detail. And even apart from the question of Charity and Sylvia's relationship, this is a fascinating glimpse at everyday life in early 19th century America. The short length makes up for any tedium; definitely worth the read.
short9's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
larsntg's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
5.0
bronwynmb's review against another edition
5.0
I found this randomly at HPB a while ago. They had an end cap full (probably remainders) and it sounded right up my alley. This was so fascinating and such good scholarship (so many citations! Makes my history heart happy!). I loved reading about late 18th-early 19th century New England through Charity and Sylvia’s relationship. This is so much more though. Cleves touches on early American education, business, religion, law, and so much more in telling this story. I wish it was a bit more chronological rather than thematic, but the story did move on well. Such a good history.