Beyond Sex and Romance?: The Politics of Contemporary Lesbian Fiction - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0704345374 ISBN 13: 9780704345379

Publisher: Womens Pr Ltd, 1998

Synopsis

For almost three decades, a wide range of lesbian fiction has been published regularly and in quantity. So what effect has this writing had on the society in which we live? Has lesbian fiction challenged prevalent ideologies, or has the literature itself changed so that it merely perpetuates them? In this lively examination of contemporary lesbian novels and novelists, noted lesbian writers and thinkers address these questions and more. And as they celebrate the achievements of lesbian novelists, they also demonstrate the importance of providing a literature that both reflects and creates lesbian culture.

About this title

From Library Journal:

Nine lesbian feminists, some with literary or academic backgrounds, present essays on lesbian detective novels and thrillers, fantasy/sf, and works by American and British novelists including May Sarton, Lisa Alther, and Jeanette Winterson. Addressing a readership with the same ideological orientation, the authors rarely define or defend their positions. Their primary concern tends to be whether the treated literary works are "radical," i.e., supporting their ideology. All else is dismissed as reflective or else part of the "conservative backlash" (lesbians embracing political alliances with gay men and transsexuals) or the "heterosexist" patriarchal agenda. With the exception of Lynne Harne's chapter, these essays suffer from shallow literary analysis (often limited to narrative summaries), unsupported arguments, poor writing, and a lack of adequate historical or theoretical framework. Where context is provided, it is often digressive or relegated to endnotes. Dogmatic and self-righteous, this book may be useful as an example of its ideological perspective, but those seeking thoughtful literary or political analysis will be disappointed.AAnna Youssefi, Univ. of Houston Lib., TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Womens Pr Ltd
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0704345374
• ISBN 13: 9780704345379
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 218
• Editor: Hutton Elaine