book data
109 ratings,
3.72
average rating, 19 reviews
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published
October 1st 1995
by Dutton Adult
details
Hardcover, 240 pages
isbn
0525937900
(isbn13: 9780525937906)
description
Sarah Schulman's Rat Bohemia is a witty, moving and sometimes shocking look at how lesbians and gay men are treated by their biological families. Set …more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 165)
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5 stars (27)
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4 stars (38)
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3 stars (33)
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2 stars (9)
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1 star (2)
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avg 3.72
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
I'm so glad this is back in print I'm been trying to find this forever. My least favourite part is the back and forth section between Killer and Troy, but the rest was almost perfect. the Introductiono alone is worth getting the book.
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Read in July, 2009
I just happened to page through the beginning of this book and found that it was actually autographed by Schulman and a note had been written to Kate Bornstein of all people. How awesome!
As for the book itself, as always, Schulman's superb prose and her careful and insightful observations about life were amazing. Especially since she never relents when it comes to holding straight people accountable for the horrible things they can do to queers.
However, I did not real...more
As for the book itself, as always, Schulman's superb prose and her careful and insightful observations about life were amazing. Especially since she never relents when it comes to holding straight people accountable for the horrible things they can do to queers.
However, I did not real...more
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Read in December, 2008
I'm in the mood for an extended metaphor, and the best way I can think to describe this book is a small town fire works show. You're waiting for a bit, sure it's going to be good, wondering when it will start... only when it's dark enough. The first 'work comes from nowhere, startling you with its bright light. The bursts continue, in no discernible order, each one beautiful and slightly different. There are some repeats. There are standouts: the sparkly shimmery one that last for minutes, ...more
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Oh Sarah Schulman, you live in the East Village,
with the rats, and your moles. Your writing, among the
bad lesbian fiction, is the best.
Wont you take me for pierogis at Veselka once again?
with the rats, and your moles. Your writing, among the
bad lesbian fiction, is the best.
Wont you take me for pierogis at Veselka once again?
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Read in September, 2007
This is a really sad book focusing on three friends, two lesbians and a gay man, in New York City in the early 90s when all their gay male friends (and the main gay male character) are dying of AIDS. The characters themselves were kind of annoying in that all three viewpoint characters basically had the same voice and thought process, but I'm glad I read it nonetheless. I'm so far removed from that part of history, even though it had such a huge impact on where things are in the queer world to...more
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Read in December, 2007
Writing in the 'raw' but in a good way! Reveals a side of New York not seen by the mainstream literary presses.
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Read in October, 2006
I read this the same time I re-watched "Angels in America" (my favorite play.) They both are about young working gay people in NY in the 80s with AIDS problems, drug problems, money problems, relationships problems. "Rat Bohemia" is from the point of you of a lesbian though who works for the NYC Rat Control.
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Read in September, 2007
3 friends in the NYC gay community in the middle of the AIDS crisis. Surprisingly this book makes a powerful statement on the meaning of family and who becomes it when your own family abandons you. This book made me laugh and cry from one line to the next. It is most excellent.
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Squandered potential. I think the writer has talent and an eye for detail, but she seemed to have skipped right on over the story and created a book of character backgrounds. So, overall... ugh.
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Read in May, 2008
why was i in the dark about sarah schulman for so long?!? she's fucking brilliant! everything i ever wanted in a book is present in this one, and that's all i really have to say about that.
Read in January, 2008
the chapters and sections of this book were very hit or miss. not really a bad read, but i found myself skipping ahead occasionally. and the sad part is is that i never really missed much.
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I could swear I've read this before, but I don't own a copy. Perhaps I'm remembering from the book reading I saw in 1995? That's pretty promising, if so.
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The only book ever that has followed a 'vermin exterminator' that delves into family, community, identity, and pain. Really an amazing read.
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Read in January, 1997
Good slice of life look at three gay characters in rat-infested New York. Imaginative ending.
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Read in July, 2008
Great short stories about people living in the margins in New York City.
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bookshelves:
boy-kisses-boy,
girl-on-girl,
good-for-you-like-broccoli,
repeat-offender,
this-was-recommended-to-me
Schulman at the top of her game.
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Jan 12, 2008
Themurphyhypothesis Murphy
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Read in January, 2000
terrible
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"Straight people are the most pathetic of all. I’ve never seen such a miserable group of people in my life. They don’t know anything about themselves" —
1 person liked it
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