'Harriet Hatfield begins a new life at the age of 60 after her lover of 30 years has died and left her comfortably well off. But when Harriet opens...
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reviews
Jul 19, 2009
Pmalcpoet
rated it: 
This book is my first venture into May Sarton's fiction; I've enjoyed her poetry and especially her memoirs over the years. The book is an exploration of topics of gay life, including coming out of the closet and AIDS, both within the larger issue of public reaction to gay people in their midst. It was important to remember this story was written in the late 1980's, when these were especially hot topics, and a diagnosis of AIDS was a death sentence. The story is immensely readable and provides a
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Jul 20, 2009
Carla
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I found this book to be charming and endearing. After Harriet's loss of her lifelong partner Vickie, she begins to realize how dependent and sheltered her life was in that relationship. She never regrets being with Vickie as she is the love of her life and always will be however she starts to step outside of her comfort zone and opens a feminist bookstore in a diverse but somewhat conservative area. With a few threats and attacks on her opening such a place, she never stops remembering why she w
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Jan 25, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it:
I enjoyed this book a lot. Not a huge page-turner...just a slow-paced, enjoyable book. May Sarton has extraordinarily taken just plain old life and chronicled everyday conversations without it being dull and boring. There is a lot of introspection in this book, and perhaps that's why I like it particularly right now, as I'm in an introspective mood.
The main character is a woman who has lost her partner of 30 years, and has decided to open a feminist bookstore. Of course, when y More...
The main character is a woman who has lost her partner of 30 years, and has decided to open a feminist bookstore. Of course, when y More...
Jan 10, 2011
Kristin
rated it: 
This novel is way too redundant with often choppy dialogue (and, at times, choppy narration). Sarton has some nice things to say, but the problem is that the people who will read this book will already agree with her and the people who should read this book won't read it. Additionally, it was clear she wrote the story with the express purpose of fitting the subject she wanted to "preach" about; it was not a smooth marriage of plot and theme. I was ready to like this one, so I'm a tad d
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Dec 29, 2007
Rita
rated it:
I enjoyed this book so much. Very low-key writing, but very well thought-out. Probably it helps that I have read several other books of hers. She touches on so many issues, from homosexuality and homophobia, to class differences; noting that racism is similar to sex discrimination.
Most interesting was her comment that, during the 30 years she [the main character] was in a relationship, her life centered around that relationship. And after her partner died, she felt very alone, and More...
Most interesting was her comment that, during the 30 years she [the main character] was in a relationship, her life centered around that relationship. And after her partner died, she felt very alone, and More...
Jan 26, 2009
Lisa
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This book was wonderful. I would love to own my own bookstore or have a reading room. The woman in this book does just that but with a few struggles I would not have to deal with.
Jan 23, 2011
Mary
rated it:
This review says it all for me. Lovely, easy reading. "I enjoyed this book a lot. Not a huge page-turner...just a slow-paced, enjoyable book. May Sarton has extraordinarily taken just plain old life and chronicled everyday conversations without it being dull and boring. There is a lot of introspection in this book, and perhaps that's why I like it particularly right now, as I'm in an introspective mood."
Feb 25, 2008
Claudia
rated it: 
Another great book by Ms. Sarton! This is not a journal but fiction. An outcast Lesbian opens a book store for women in New England. Just read and see how the community reacts to her. Have we really come that far???
Aug 05, 2008
Jean
rated it:
well to do lesbian struggles to open and run a book shop in Boston in the mid 1900s. Interesting Sarton, not memoir, but clearly based on herself in many aspects.
Mar 12, 2008
Gina
rated it: 
I gleaned so little enjoyment from this book that I can't even muster the energy to properly review it. Definitely not Sarton's best. (Probably her worst.)
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