OMG Sue
What an important book this is. Our stories are different yet exactly the same. Any lesbian will identify. At first, I thought that younger lesbians will feel less alone, less shame and less held back by their lesbianism. But, in truth, I don’t think so. Lesbians are always different, always alone in their first families. Intentionally or otherwise, we feel ashamed of ourselves. Of course, later we find our lesbian families and allies but the damage is done.
Your book perfectly describes the lesbian condition. All of us spend at least some time in the ‘closet’. Some a lifetime, some 20 years (like you) for me it was 10 years. No matter how young we ‘come out’, we feel it the same. It manifests in different ways but its damaging effect is lifelong without action.
You have helped me realise I also need to find a way to get it out. To expel it. To come to terms with it. To find me, the unashamed child. As you have managed to do. When I finished your book this morning, I cried.
Jo O’Sullivan
4 August 2023
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I finished the book last night – so deeply moving, what courage and generosity to share your journey. May your book find its way to the people that need to read it – as your journey of repression and shedding is still so relevant for many – and will be an inspiration. Having been sent to boarding school myself at nine, it touched me personally to read of that experience. What a beautifully woven work you have created.
Sian 26th July 2023
Very powerful and wonderful. Great sensitivity, the all important thing is that it is your truth, so if any person takes exception to it, that is their issue to reflect on and not yours, otherwise you’re into old patterns of acquiescing and subsuming yourself again (as of course we all do, do you know the story of the person walking over a manhole cover, remind me sometime if not).Your brave and honest descriptions are achingly relatable, you really have written a remarkable piece of work.
I notice your keen powers of observation, about yourself and society. It’s very intricate how you’ve woven words on your own inner senses, I think your writing almost took you into a language of it’s own. It is really so good, for the reader (in this case me) to then get beyond the words to just feel it with you – a bit like watching a fine actor, you get lost in their story and performance.
Catherine May 2023
Wonderfully written, truly from within. I marvelled at the complexity of parallels and am inspired to further unravel me, thank you. Thank you for your deep observations, openness and revelations.
Margaret Sills December 2023
sue orton | gathering threads 