Dog Tags [Paperback]

Alexis Jude (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set on an American army base in South Korea, this first novel offers action, romance and some graphic erotic detail as it tells the story of Specialist 7th Class Myra Sturdivan, a lesbian who is terrorized by Craft, a male subordinate who is infatuated with her. One night, Myra witnesses Craft committing a rape in a prostitution district off base. Craft threatens to expose her as a lesbian, which would likely result in her dishonorable discharge. When Myra and Sergeant 1st Class Tory Barrett become lovers, Craft's rage is heightened, and he lashes out in acts of violence and renewed threats against Myra. But as long as Myra insists on keeping her plight a secret, nobody can help her. Fortunately, secrets are not easily kept in the close confines of a military base. Unfortunately, this amateurishly written novel does not do justice to its premise: although gays in the military have legitimately feared exposure, Myra's deep reluctance to reveal her serious problem with Craft baffles the reader. And even readers who are eager for positive images of gays and lesbians will squirm at such statements as "She looked like the proud, beautiful dyke that she was."
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: New Victoria Publishers (October 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0934678502
• ISBN-13: 978-0934678506
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,886,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ATTENTION: Lesbian on Base..., November 24, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Dog Tags (Paperback)

Set on a US Army base in Korea after the Korean war, Alexis Jude presents a first-class story about lesbians in the military. The author's biography indicates she is a former soldier who spent two years in Korea herself -- thus adding to the realistic conditions in the book.

Specialist Myra Sturdivan is a closeted lesbian who has been stationed in Korea for 9 years. She is not in a relationship and is not really interested in one. During her time in the country she has befriended Mamasan, a local woman who cleans their barracks and is loyal to the easy-going Myra. She has also caught the eye of Craft, a dangerous man and fellow soldier who is determined to either get Myra willingly into his bed or expose her as a lesbian. Myra knows something about Craft that could put him away, but he threatens Mamasan and Myra to ensure her silence.

In walks Sgt. First Class Tory Barrett. This is her first tour in Korea and she's Myra's new boss. Top, the commander of her unit, is worried about Myra's recent withdrawal from her coworkers and Mamasan and asks Tory to spend extra time with her. The two women, scared for their careers, develop a close relationship which eventually turns into more. However, Myra remains reluctant to confess all to Tory -- even after Craft assaults her and threatens her lover. Tory continuously struggles with the balance between doing what's expected of her and respecting Myra's confidence.

An intriguing (sometimes infuriating) tale with many extremely emotional highs and lows, 'Dog Tags' is well worth the time to read. A hidden gem in the world of lesbian fiction, I highly recommend this book.