Read: 4+
Aural: 5
Absolutely LOVE this classic! I think I read this way back when but totally had no memory of it. As I've been going through Abby Craden's FF audiobook list, I saw this book and decided to listen to it. Listening to Abby Craden portraying the characters with such aplomb really brought home the very realistic, affecting and resonating love story AND the all-consuming social matter that still haunts us today, albeit we're faring better than 30 years ago. But we still have a long way to go. Bigotry casts long shadows. Hate is learned. I gave it 4+ stars when I read it but with Craden bringing this subject matter and the characters to life, I have to change my rating to 5 stars. End of.
Martin's flair in writing stories and characters that really hit home with issues that affect our LGBTQ+ community and women is timeless, imho. Reading this story that deals with a woman who thinks she's straight all her life suddenly realises she's fallen in love with a woman is a reality that I'm sure a lot of queer women have gone through. On the other hand, Martin's other MC is also a reality that a lot of queer women have also experienced in their lives - falling in love or being in a relationship with a straight woman who then leaves you for a man. The nightmare scenario for a lot of lesbians, I'm sure! The reason, at least back in the day, was almost always because of fear - isolation, rejection, discrimination, bigotry. Even today, albeit less so but as long as society still views anything but heteronormative lifestyle as something less than and to be ashamed of, we will always have women who're afraid to be who they truly are.
The thing I love about Martin's writing style is that it's so grounded. It's quiet and subtle in simplicity that it elevates the nuances of human behaviour, the human condition, when faced with situations and scenarios that affect every soul's daily life. When it's vocalised with realistic effect, it's like you're listening to a slice of life that she's showcasing for us so there's an understanding, an awareness, reached amongst the readers (and listeners). It can happen to and experienced by anyone because it's part of life, part of the journey, that we go through, albeit in different perspectives, circumstances, maybe, but almost always with the same mindset, which is, we're doing the best that we can, or at least we try to.