Helpful Score: 1
This is my first foray into explicit lesbian fiction and it was a pleasure to read in more ways than one! Waters is a wonderful writer and seems to effortlessly paint a picture with her words. The Victorian setting, the themes on gender and sexuality- it all came together beautifully.
One of the only major criticism that I have is a character flaw in Nancy. Her entire existence throughout the book seems to be for her partner. Each transition in her life is in response to her sweetheart. As a person, she is whoever she believes her partner wants her to be. She doesn't appear to have any motivations of her own. I find it unhealthy and unrealistic. (Though, not entirely unrealistic. 'Uhaul lesbian' isn't a joke in the Les community for nothing!) But since the writing is fabulous otherwise and the sex is lez-tastic it was a fair enough trade.
The ending is a bit rushed but not entirely unsatisfying (I would have liked to see Nance become her own person, for example). This is an author I'm sure I will revisit again and again.
One of the only major criticism that I have is a character flaw in Nancy. Her entire existence throughout the book seems to be for her partner. Each transition in her life is in response to her sweetheart. As a person, she is whoever she believes her partner wants her to be. She doesn't appear to have any motivations of her own. I find it unhealthy and unrealistic. (Though, not entirely unrealistic. 'Uhaul lesbian' isn't a joke in the Les community for nothing!) But since the writing is fabulous otherwise and the sex is lez-tastic it was a fair enough trade.
The ending is a bit rushed but not entirely unsatisfying (I would have liked to see Nance become her own person, for example). This is an author I'm sure I will revisit again and again.
