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gillesbianreads's review against another edition
3.0
Curious Wine by Katherine V. Forrest is sexy, sensual, romantic, and fairly uneventful (in the best way): it was an easy and enjoyable read. It is yet another classic lesbian novel that was rare for its time in the way it ended happily for the sapphic couple.
The story takes place at a cabin in the mountains in Nevada, where a handful of women in their 30s and 40s are spending the week skiing, gambling, drinking, and playing games by the fire. Some of the women know each other, but most are merely acquaintances or have never met before. With a trope that I love, Lane and Diana, who did not know each other prior but connected right away, end up sharing a bed. The women connect emotionally over heartbreak, their shared dislike for some of the other women, loss, and they have instant chemistry. Dot, dot, dot.
The most uncomfortable parts were some of the insufferable supporting characters, and there is a rape scene. I was also left a bit unsure as to whether Diana was bisexual or lesbian, but I think that’s indicative of Diana’s confusion herself. And Lane’s doubts of Diana’s sureness of her feelings for women were understandable— as Diana never experienced attraction to women previously, so Lane was worried she could merely be experimenting— but it also felt ignorant to bisexuality. If any bisexuals who have read the book have any thoughts on this aspect, I would love to hear them!
Although most the characters were hard to connect to personally (being cis(het), middle aged, middle-to-upper class white women, with some who were very explicitly racist), I deeply felt the feelings the two sapphic women have for each other through the author’s writing. You can really tell Forrest is a lesbian herself by the way she describes women, writes about their bodies, and how they make love. Let me just sum up how I felt with emojis:
The story takes place at a cabin in the mountains in Nevada, where a handful of women in their 30s and 40s are spending the week skiing, gambling, drinking, and playing games by the fire. Some of the women know each other, but most are merely acquaintances or have never met before. With a trope that I love, Lane and Diana, who did not know each other prior but connected right away, end up sharing a bed. The women connect emotionally over heartbreak, their shared dislike for some of the other women, loss, and they have instant chemistry. Dot, dot, dot.
The most uncomfortable parts were some of the insufferable supporting characters, and there is a rape scene. I was also left a bit unsure as to whether Diana was bisexual or lesbian, but I think that’s indicative of Diana’s confusion herself. And Lane’s doubts of Diana’s sureness of her feelings for women were understandable— as Diana never experienced attraction to women previously, so Lane was worried she could merely be experimenting— but it also felt ignorant to bisexuality. If any bisexuals who have read the book have any thoughts on this aspect, I would love to hear them!
Although most the characters were hard to connect to personally (being cis(het), middle aged, middle-to-upper class white women, with some who were very explicitly racist), I deeply felt the feelings the two sapphic women have for each other through the author’s writing. You can really tell Forrest is a lesbian herself by the way she describes women, writes about their bodies, and how they make love. Let me just sum up how I felt with emojis:
jessicabrazeal's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one. I got bored at times, but overall compelling.
horrorqueen's review against another edition
5.0
A moving, magnificent novel about love and the discovery of self. Despite how short the novel is, I felt an incredible affinity with the two lead characters and was desperately willing them on the whole time. Beautifully written, I can't remember the last time a book made me smile so much. A simple story that needed to be told, and one of those books that makes you want to flip right back to page 1 and indulge all over again.
The characters I am sure will stay with me for a long time, and this is going to become a very well read one in my collection from now on. How had I not read this before now?!
The characters I am sure will stay with me for a long time, and this is going to become a very well read one in my collection from now on. How had I not read this before now?!
annekepaige's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
sanewberg's review against another edition
4.0
Erotic yet tender at the same time. I loved this.
I need to know about Diana and Lane's live together ugh.
I need to know about Diana and Lane's live together ugh.
avoryfaucette's review against another edition
2.0
This is a very dated book, and a bit in the cheesy romance novel genre. There are some things about it that feel very real, but a lot of it makes me think of bad early 90s hair and the world of the perma-closet.
eyrinreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is easily one of my favorite reads of all time. I'm so happy I found it.
dnauvrg's review against another edition
2.0
Hard to take this book seriously when it seemed so dated. Yikes.