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mxsallybend's review
3.0
One of the greatest thrills of the holiday season is the excitement of discovering an exquisitely wrapped present under the tree, and having no idea what is inside. We hold it, shake it, feel it, weigh it, and do everything we can to peek at its secrets, but often we actually regret the eventual unwrapping. Such is the case with Eustacia's Secret, a love story about two young teenagers in love.
I must admit to having had some trepidation over the way sexuality was treated in the novel. I know Laing had only the best of intentions, and the rather vulgar examples of homophobia were intended to create tension, but it does make for a difficult read. For instance, Darcy’s mother tells her 14 year old son that homosexuals use their anuses and mouths “as vaginas”, and that because there are so few of them, they try to “convince” young men to become homosexual. It's shocking stuff, but authentic in the time period of the novel.
Had it not been for the tenderness of the relationship between Darcy and Eustacia, I’m not sure I could have continued, but that's where the book shines. Despite having been indoctrinated with homophobic thoughts by his mother, Darcy is mature enough to trust his heart, and to not confuse gender with sexuality. When the truth of Eustacia’s nature is revealed, Darcy discounts his mother’s fears of suicidal depression, and declares instead that “there is so much more to my dear, sweet love than a silly appendage.”
Some of the language and terminology here is a bit suspect, and it’s never quite clear whether Eustacia is intersex or transgendered, but I love that the question of her gender was never the focus. In fact, any doubts are swept aside by Eustacia’s lovely post surgical declaration:
“I was born a boy, but my mind and body would have none of it, so with the help of a little operation, I have transitioned into a woman, which suits me very well indeed."
Similarly, Darcy has a bit of an awakening of his own towards the end, which does a lot to redeem the story’s take on sexuality. When speaking of Mr. Hall, the homosexual his mother tried so hard to ‘caution’ him about early on, Darcy describes him as “a wonderful person - an avid sailor and a true gentleman.” He still finds the concept of homosexual acts upsetting, but he can see through the question of sexuality to appreciate the man behind it, just as he is able to see through the question of gender to appreciate the woman at its core.
It may not be the message some reader may crave, but it's a very brave and very realistic attitude that shines because of the societal framework.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a few words about Eustacia’s fascination with I Dream of Jeannie. It’s a very light-hearted and sincere sort of homage, but one that’s also symbolic. It’s what the young man named Stanford is wearing when we first see him, and what the young woman Eustacia is removing when we last see here – a rather fitting, and beautiful sort of progression.
Originally reviewed for Frock Magazine
I must admit to having had some trepidation over the way sexuality was treated in the novel. I know Laing had only the best of intentions, and the rather vulgar examples of homophobia were intended to create tension, but it does make for a difficult read. For instance, Darcy’s mother tells her 14 year old son that homosexuals use their anuses and mouths “as vaginas”, and that because there are so few of them, they try to “convince” young men to become homosexual. It's shocking stuff, but authentic in the time period of the novel.
Had it not been for the tenderness of the relationship between Darcy and Eustacia, I’m not sure I could have continued, but that's where the book shines. Despite having been indoctrinated with homophobic thoughts by his mother, Darcy is mature enough to trust his heart, and to not confuse gender with sexuality. When the truth of Eustacia’s nature is revealed, Darcy discounts his mother’s fears of suicidal depression, and declares instead that “there is so much more to my dear, sweet love than a silly appendage.”
Some of the language and terminology here is a bit suspect, and it’s never quite clear whether Eustacia is intersex or transgendered, but I love that the question of her gender was never the focus. In fact, any doubts are swept aside by Eustacia’s lovely post surgical declaration:
“I was born a boy, but my mind and body would have none of it, so with the help of a little operation, I have transitioned into a woman, which suits me very well indeed."
Similarly, Darcy has a bit of an awakening of his own towards the end, which does a lot to redeem the story’s take on sexuality. When speaking of Mr. Hall, the homosexual his mother tried so hard to ‘caution’ him about early on, Darcy describes him as “a wonderful person - an avid sailor and a true gentleman.” He still finds the concept of homosexual acts upsetting, but he can see through the question of sexuality to appreciate the man behind it, just as he is able to see through the question of gender to appreciate the woman at its core.
It may not be the message some reader may crave, but it's a very brave and very realistic attitude that shines because of the societal framework.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a few words about Eustacia’s fascination with I Dream of Jeannie. It’s a very light-hearted and sincere sort of homage, but one that’s also symbolic. It’s what the young man named Stanford is wearing when we first see him, and what the young woman Eustacia is removing when we last see here – a rather fitting, and beautiful sort of progression.
Originally reviewed for Frock Magazine
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