White Ravens’98/New Zealand/64391
Boock, Paula
Dare truth or promise
Dunedin: Longacre Press, 1997. 180pp
ISBN 1-877135-08-9
First love - Lesbian - Homosexuality - 
Mother/Daughter - Homophobia - Identity
Louie is a fast-talking, witty girl who likes acting and plans to be a lawyer.
Willa is quieter, has a dog as a constant companion, likes fencing and
hopes to become a chef. In two marvellous early scenes of the skilfully told
narrative, which alternates, in the third person, between Louie and Willa,
each personality is brilliantly captured. The ups and downs of their
gradually acknowledged feelings - which give way to passionate romance -
and the varying reactions of others are authentically portrayed. Not only
does Boock depict each scene with much insight and vivid detail, she also
brings in a large supporting cast of well-drawn characters - friends, family,
schoolmates and working colleagues - to create a very realistic
background. As in many relationships that break norms, there is a long
painful separation as Louie copes with the negative reactions of her family
and re-examines her feelings. Unlike earlier books about homo-sexuality in
which anxiety and conflict prevail, here the joy of finding a kindred spirit is
portrayed, making it evident that love and romance can take the same
course regardless of the sex of the partners. (14+)

Backward      Forward      Countries