Customer Reviews

Sister Gin

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As an undergrad at a major American university which shall remain nameless, I had the misfortune of being trapped in a painfully P.C. course on American women novelists of the 20th century. "Sister Gin" was the token lesbian novel -- and the only truly worthwhile book on the syllabus.

Sister Gin has it all: a book-reviewing protagonist who does a scathing critique of Joyce Carol Oates, vigilante justice dealt out by a bunch of old women, a truly subversive intergenerational love affair, and much heavy drinking (along with an amusing explanation of why killing brain cells with alcohol can be a good thing.)

Oh, yeah, and a discussion on the semantics of mashed potatoes. What more could you want from a novel?

This is one of my favorite books, and for some strange reason I can never find it in the bookstore. I consider myself a discriminating reader, and in my opinion, this book ranks as one of the best I've ever read.

I must admit that it's been a few years since I've read this book, so I'm unable to give it a worthy review.

June Arnold tells the story of Su, a southern journalist facing a mid life crisis. Among other things, Su is faced with the desire to leave her long-time lover Bettina, while receiving mysterious missives in her locked desk drawer.

The book is both feminist fiction and mystery writing. As a woman of color, I was not the slightest bit turned off by this tale of white southern womanhood. It is so deftly and intelligently written, I urge all readers to give it a try. You won't be disappointed. I promise!!!

Sometimes it's good to be forwarned (the same way I like to know in advance that a film is subtitled.)

That said, let me offer a second warning: I *rarely* write these reviews. I'm doing so because I feel compelled to make sure this "lost" classic isn't completely forgotten because it is amazing--as keeper of the southern literary tradition, an examination of alcoholism, a lesbian novel, a look at racial issues, a description of menopause, an inquiry into creativity, a mystery, an homage to older women, and a feminist work. I think the latter is the most interesting, given that Sister Gin was published in 1975, when feminists were torn between self-examination and a united front. (Some would argue they still are). Arnold manages to do both and do so convincingly--even with some humor. So please don't be turned off by the experimental nature of the novel. It's a fun, fun read--very honest and very worthwhile. I'm in my early 30s, and Arnold's work reminded me that I still have plenty to look forward to in life.

I bought this book because it is recommended reading by Tee A. Corinne in her book `Dreams of the Woman Who Loved Sex" where she writes, "I have always treasured June Arnold's poetic description of aging and sexuality."

This is a don't miss book -

Book Description - Aging, lesbian consciousness, the difficulty of escaping from alcoholism -- these are the themes of June Arnold's extraordinary novel, first published in 1975. The novel stands squarely in the southern literary tradition, depicting with memorable hilarity a group of elderly female vigilantes who take local rape deterrence into their own hands. Critics and fellow writers have lauded it as a classic of experimental fiction. It is also a unique exploration of menopause as rebirth.

Highly original and entertaining

I bought this book because it is recommended reading by Tee A. Corinne in her book `Dreams of the Woman Who Loved Sex" where she writes, "I have always treasured June Arnold's poetic description of aging and sexuality."

This is a don't miss book -

Book Description - Aging, lesbian consciousness, the difficulty of escaping from alcoholism -- these are the themes of June Arnold's extraordinary novel, first published in 1975. The novel stands squarely in the southern literary tradition, depicting with memorable hilarity a group of elderly female vigilantes who take local rape deterrence into their own hands. Critics and fellow writers have lauded it as a classic of experimental fiction. It is also a unique exploration of menopause as rebirth.

From Publishers Weekly - Lovers Su and Bettina--and their network of elderly relatives and friends--confront aging, alcoholism, menopause, disillusionment and lesbian identity in North Carolina, 1974. Arnold's ( Baby Houston ) long-out-of-print [...] novel is predominantly vague and impressionistic, but certain episodes are stunningly honest and memorable for distilling the essence of women's interior lives. While each has bouts with self-loathing ("She's thin. Does she know what getting dressed is like if you're fat?") and shock of aging ("It was a terrible thing that the mind knew no age at all, could dart from seventy-seven to thirty-two in a fraction of a second without oneself ever being aware"), the characters function best as symbols of a woman's need to come to terms with her true desires. The menopausal experience is central to the plot as the pivotal though awkward passage to rebirth "as soon as a woman's body stops being under the moon's dominion. The child and the old don't go by clocks and don't know fear. Time took away the child and only time can give her back." Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

At the risk of sounding sexist, there is a warning I must issue to all intersted parties. THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR MEN TO READ. As a male reader, I was thoroughly lost on several occasions. For example, being a man, I cannot relate to or comprehend hot flashes (i.e. the dinnner scene). I am sure some women will protest, but this IS a book for lesbian women written by a lesbian woman. (To keep from being discredited, let me make it clear that I am gay myself, thus the brand of homophobic will not hold water).

The overall style of the book is quite different, which in this case means quite dry. I was already bored with the novel by page 20, but still read on.

Then, out of nowhere, there is a personal attack on Joyce Carolyn Oates. This was highly inappropriate and not needed. The fake reviewer could easily have written about a fake author. Few people read Oates as it is; she doesn't need more negative press.

In short, this book is to be avoided by men.