Boston Marriages: Romantic by Asexual Relationships Among Contemproary Lesbians [Paperback]

Kathleen A. Brehony (Editor), Esther D. Rothblum (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 1993

This collection of theoretical essays and personal stories is not just about "Boston marriages," a term referring to two women in a nonsexual but nonetheless deeply committed relationship. As the book so well concludes, there is no language for this type of relationship, not just for lesbians but for anyone--gay, straight, male, or female--who relates to others outside the traditional roles of friend, lover, spouse, or relative. Living in a society that invalidates a love that has not been sexually validated, the women subjects of this book speak passionately about relationships they have kept hidden even from their own lesbian community; the essays by well-known writers in the area of lesbian studies pale in comparison. This book's apparently specific nature should not deter academics and others interested in the study of human relationships. For academic libraries and women's studies collections.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This collection of theoretical essays and personal stories is not just about "Boston marriages," a term referring to two women in a nonsexual but nonetheless deeply committed relationship. As the book so well concludes, there is no language for this type of relationship, not just for lesbians but for anyone--gay, straight, male, or female--who relates to others outside the traditional roles of friend, lover, spouse, or relative. Living in a society that invalidates a love that has not been sexually validated, the women subjects of this book speak passionately about relationships they have kept hidden even from their own lesbian community; the essays by well-known writers in the area of lesbian studies pale in comparison. This book's apparently specific nature should not deter academics and others interested in the study of human relationships. For academic libraries and women's studies collections.
- Patricia Sarles, Brooklyn P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press (November 17, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870238760
• ISBN-13: 978-0870238765
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What's in a relationship?, November 6, 2000

By 

Maggie (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boston Marriages: Romantic but Asexual Relationships Among Contemporary Lesbians (Hardcover)

Apparently not sex-necessarily. In this book, Brehony and Rothblum explore the lives of lesbian women who, for whatever reason, omit sex from their relationships. The authors' inclusion of theoretical models, personal accounts, and discussants effectively illustrates portraits of real people who make conscious decisions about their sexuality- not women who are controlled or defined by existing social constructions. The book powerfully raises philosophical questions about the nature of relationships in general- for example, what is a relationship without sex? The book calls all people to question the nature and purpose of their own sexuality. I omit one star simply for its lack of historical and statistical data. However, the book serves its purpose- recognizing and attempting to understand relationships that have previously been undiscussed.