Curious Wine [Paperback]

Katherine V. Forrest (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Naiad; First Edition edition (1983)
• ASIN: B001L14VQQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,929,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A foundation novel, March 23, 2001

By 

Lesbian Reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Curious Wine (Paperback)

This is the book that I believe set the bar for the lesbian romance genre, both in quality of writing and expression of sexuality. Written nearly 20 years ago, this story presented a radical idea: that two women who have many other options to choose from can choose each other. Most of us now take this idea for granted, but 20 years ago not even lesbians were certain they had a right to happiness and forever after, or that they deserved to dream of romance and love.

From a literary standpoint, this novel, for me, thankfully also marked the end of flowery euphemisms for female genitalia -- Forrest's remarkable skill to describe by nuance undoubtedly inspired many other writers (like Karin Kallmaker and Marianne Martin, to name two) to make it clear exactly what is going on ... without explicit sexual language. That writing, not quite erotica, but quite erotic, definitely not pornographic, is one of the hallmarks of a good lesbian romance for me. It's a remarkable achievement in prose and Forrest set the standard for all who followed.

Because this book dates back 20 years, some of the relationship contexts have become dated -- for example, the "consciousness-raising" and emphasis on processing early on. But balance that against a moment of clarity when the two women realize they want each other and realize, also, that they really are old enough, free enough, and courageous enough to go to a motel in the middle of the day. The moments when both of them, separately, realize they have to reach out for what they want, were profound for me, in the context of the character's lives and in the context of our community's struggle to live open lives. We first have to know what we want, and have the strength to reach for it.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sultry, Warm, Perfect, October 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Curious Wine (Paperback)

This book is the classic lesbian romance. Woven with the heart-felt, painfully beautiful verse of Emily Dickinson, this honest and simple tale of two lovers is eloquently written, passionate, and satisfying. If you are sick of the butch/femme dicotomy and all of the labels and roles that often pollute the purity and authenticity of two women falling in love, you will find comfort here. Curious Wine is the story of two women, beautiful on both the inside and the outside, who not only fall deeply in love, but heal each other's pain. In contrast with the objectification of women that exists so much today even in the lesbian community, the lovers in Curious Wine see one another as people, and share an almost-spiritual connection. Diana and Lane truly come alive to the reader, and the depths of their characters are revealed with grace, honesty, and believability. Their love is gentle, tender, selfless, and delightfully passionate. Beautiful work. Highly recomended!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Undisputable Benchmark, April 22, 2005

By 

K. Johnson (Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Curious Wine (Paperback)

I have often wondered why so many reviewers of lesbian fiction compare books to 'Curious Wine,' and now I know. I was reluctant to purchase this one because I had already been disappointed by two other Forrest books ('Amateur City' and 'Dreams and Swords'). However, my curiosity got the best of me and I'm glad it did.

I won't go into the details of the story because you can get that from the 45 other reviews already here. The bottom line is two women fall in love in the midst of bigotry and small-mindedness. Their love is emotional and the sex is hot. To say more would not do justice to Forrest's accomplishment.

I'm keeping this one (well, I might let my partner read it if she's nice to me). You'll have to find your own copy to read.