Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
San Francisco : Cleis Press, c2002.
Pages
202
Description
Designated the "Queen of Lesbian Pulp" for her landmark novels beginning in 1957, Ann Bannon's work defined lesbian fiction for the pre-Stonewall generation. Following the release of Cleis Press's new editions of Beebo Brinker and Odd Girl Out, Women in the Shadows picks up with Beebo's relationship with Laura waning, as both women become caught in the cultural tumult (gay bar raids, heavy drinking, gay rights advocacy) that anticipates by ten years the Stonewall Rebellion of 1969. New introduction explains the book's evolution, including the role Bannon's divorce played in shaping the lesbian protagonist's outrage.
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
202 p.; 8.3 inches
ISBN
157344149X / 9781573441490
Similar in this library
Library's review
Note: This review is for this book alone, not the series as a whole; it does assume the reader has read the first two books in the series and is familiar with the characters.
When Women in the Shadows opens, Laura and Beebo are marking their second anniversary, and Laura's initial love and
This is, as the title would suggest, a dark book. If the Beebo Brinker books in general are about the joy of discovering that even in the 1950s gay people were not completely alone, that other lesbians and even lesbian communities did exist, Women in the Shadows is about Bannon's realization that these communities had their own serious problems, and Bannon says as much in the introduction to the 2002 edition. This is a transitional book; if the story arc of the four main books (excluding the prequel) is considered as a whole, this is the low point before things start looking better for Laura and Beebo (and Beth) in the final volume.
When Women in the Shadows opens, Laura and Beebo are marking their second anniversary, and Laura's initial love and
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excitement at finding a community have turned to disillusionment. Unhappy with Beebo but frightened to leave, she increasingly turns to Jack for support, and to a dance instructor named Tris for love.This is, as the title would suggest, a dark book. If the Beebo Brinker books in general are about the joy of discovering that even in the 1950s gay people were not completely alone, that other lesbians and even lesbian communities did exist, Women in the Shadows is about Bannon's realization that these communities had their own serious problems, and Bannon says as much in the introduction to the 2002 edition. This is a transitional book; if the story arc of the four main books (excluding the prequel) is considered as a whole, this is the low point before things start looking better for Laura and Beebo (and Beth) in the final volume.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member schatzi
***this review contains spoilers***
The third book in the Beebo Brinker series, Women in the Shadows is dark and quite depressing. Although Laura and Beebo ended up together, seemingly happy, at the end of I Am a Woman, their relationship has soured, at least on Laura's side. She no longer loves
As if that isn't enough, Laura carries on a quasi-affair with an Indian girl named Tris (who isn't really Indian or named Tris), Beebo almost kills Laura, and Laura ends up marrying a man - Jack. And is pregnant with his baby by the end of the book (although thanks to artificial insemination).
It's like the series took some horrible turn and started moralizing about how being gay is wrong and Jack and Laura are only able to find a mutually fulfilling relationship with each other because one of them is a man and one is a woman and they're fulfilling the biological imperative to reproduce. I don't know what happened.
I'll finish out the series, but this book is definitely not the highlight of it. Hopefully the next is better.
The third book in the Beebo Brinker series, Women in the Shadows is dark and quite depressing. Although Laura and Beebo ended up together, seemingly happy, at the end of I Am a Woman, their relationship has soured, at least on Laura's side. She no longer loves
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Beebo, although Beebo is desperately in love with her - so desperate, in fact, that Beebo kills her beloved dog Nix and tells Laura that she was beaten and raped. Wow. As if that isn't enough, Laura carries on a quasi-affair with an Indian girl named Tris (who isn't really Indian or named Tris), Beebo almost kills Laura, and Laura ends up marrying a man - Jack. And is pregnant with his baby by the end of the book (although thanks to artificial insemination).
It's like the series took some horrible turn and started moralizing about how being gay is wrong and Jack and Laura are only able to find a mutually fulfilling relationship with each other because one of them is a man and one is a woman and they're fulfilling the biological imperative to reproduce. I don't know what happened.
I'll finish out the series, but this book is definitely not the highlight of it. Hopefully the next is better.
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LibraryThing member caedocyon
This book is hella traumatic. I had to put it down for a moment several times. Not really what I thought I was getting into. I only finished it because it seemed like I needed the context in order to read the next book.
It's interesting as a primer in how homophobia can make gay people destroy
Mostly, though, Laura is too stupid to believe.
It's interesting as a primer in how homophobia can make gay people destroy
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themselves without straight people having to lift a finger. (Domestic violence, alcoholism, self-hatred... what fun!)Mostly, though, Laura is too stupid to believe.
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