Odd Girl Out [Paperback]

Ann Bannon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2001 | Series: Lesbian Pulp Fiction

In the 1950s, Ann Bannon broke through the shame and isolation typically portrayed in lesbian pulps, offering instead women characters who embraced their sexuality. With Odd Girl Out, Bannon introduces Laura Landon, whose love affair with her college roommate Beth launched the lesbian pulp fiction genre.

Product Details

• Paperback: 211 pages
• Publisher: Cleis Press (September 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573441287
• ISBN-13: 978-1573441285
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lesbian Pulp Classic Returns September 5, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Thank heaven for Cleis Press and its resolve to re-publish this lesbian classic. Bannon's novel, a lesbian college romance set (circumspectly) at the University of Illinois in the '50's, was one of the first novels in which the central lesbian character was not utterly destroyed (by suicide, homicide, or insanity) as a consequence of her sexuality. While its prose may not strike you as lilting or even vigorous, the novel's charm lies in its unflinching depiction homoerotic attraction and burgeoning lesbian identity in the heavily surveilled atmosphere of a 1950's college social scene. Laura and Beth, the central characters, resurface in Bannon's later (sequel-ish) novels. *Beebo Brinker*, one of these later books, is also republished by Cleis. We should applaud Cleis press for its willingness to publish this important lesbian artefact. (Cleis, after all, was the daughter of Sappho; and Cleis Press seems to take its responsibility for publishing our mothers' work quite seriously.) At the same time, we should remind ourselves that dozens (perhaps hundreds) of lesbian pulp novels are languishing and, in fact, decaying. Pulp fiction was printed on the worst, acid-filled paper. It is only by reprinting them that we can guarantee continued access to these sometimes bizarre, frequently haunting representations of mid-twentieth century lesbians.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars To choose November 11, 2001

By "blissengine"

Format:Paperback

Bannon's classic romance focuses on Laura, who's attending university in the 1950s. She meets the alluring Beth, who helps her get into a sorority. Laura is drawn to Beth and slowly falls in love with her. Beth has been dating a slew of guys, looking to awaken her heart, and soon finds herself torn between the burgeoning love she feels for Laura and the deep desire she feels for Charlie, a man. It's a compelling story and reflective of the attitudes in the 1950s, although with a twist: the lesbian character has a hopeful ending instead of a sad one. It's wonderful to see this work back in print because of its historical value.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not high brow, but still good December 8, 2004

By Katherine M. Meadows

Format:Paperback

This was a quick and easy read. The plot was simple to follow, but it did leave me wondering a couple times what was going to happen in the end. Some might say the storyline and characters were on a slightly unbelievable side, but one must also consider when it was written and for what type of audience it was written. Once those two items are taken into consideration I believe this book can be seen as an important step in lesbian literature. I recommend if you are interested in the history of lesbian literature and/or you like trashy romance kind of stuff.