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A review by jessmsamuels
Curious Wine by Katherine V. Forrest
2.0
Described as "a classic lesbian romance," this book was was written in 1983 (despite what GoodReads shows), so I went in cautiously optimistic. I thought that it would be an interesting read as an important book of its time. It was likely the model for many other lesbian romances that came after - and also important for the people who read it and saw themselves in the characters.
I have no doubt that it was groundbreaking for its time, but reading it in 2020 made it a bit cringe-worthy (and I am sure it's author would probably agree). The romance was a lighting fast hook-up that turned into a U-HAULing affair. They have known each other for about a month (and spent no more than a few days together but are ready to move in and spend the rest of their lives together?). Their shared love of poetry and chemistry between the sheets was not enough to convince me that they really knew each other. A month away to consider the consequences of a lesbian relationship? How about a month of talking on the phone and getting to know each other instead!?
Also, similar to other reviewers, I found the sexual assault as a plot point to drive Diane back to Lane distasteful, especially since the trama of such an event was never mentioned again.
Overall, glad it was only a 3-hour audiobook. And glad that it existed in the 1980's when I am sure it was much needed but do not recommend it as a read unless you are a lesbian fiction history fan.
I have no doubt that it was groundbreaking for its time, but reading it in 2020 made it a bit cringe-worthy (and I am sure it's author would probably agree). The romance was a lighting fast hook-up that turned into a U-HAULing affair. They have known each other for about a month (and spent no more than a few days together but are ready to move in and spend the rest of their lives together?). Their shared love of poetry and chemistry between the sheets was not enough to convince me that they really knew each other. A month away to consider the consequences of a lesbian relationship? How about a month of talking on the phone and getting to know each other instead!?
Also, similar to other reviewers, I found the sexual assault as a plot point to drive Diane back to Lane distasteful, especially since the trama of such an event was never mentioned again.
Overall, glad it was only a 3-hour audiobook. And glad that it existed in the 1980's when I am sure it was much needed but do not recommend it as a read unless you are a lesbian fiction history fan.