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render's review against another edition
2.0
I;m not sure what to make of this book-- on the surface it seems a great idea, putting back into history famous LGBT creators, with their supportive partners/'spouses'. Where it falls down hard, though, is in its shallow survey of gay life-- from the repetition of the phrase 'same-sex couple' where just 'couple' could be used, to the implication of (curiously all women) couples that did not forever as victims of a fame differential.
The book is well-researched but poorly and even unimaginatively written. That dullness spreads eveywhere in the book, and I found myself wishing I was reading a book about Audre Lorde (who is slighted early on for not sticking with one person for all eternity) or rereading Gay LA.
The book is well-researched but poorly and even unimaginatively written. That dullness spreads eveywhere in the book, and I found myself wishing I was reading a book about Audre Lorde (who is slighted early on for not sticking with one person for all eternity) or rereading Gay LA.
mgoorchenko's review
3.0
I didn’t *not* like it...but the writing style was a bit informal for my taste. I would recommend the content, purely to have that moment when you realize that the personal and intimate lives of so many beloved people have been essentially kept invisible until very recently. I’m thankful to have read this.
lizabethstucker's review against another edition
3.5
3.5 out of 5
As the title conveys, this is a collection of same-sex relationships, with a focus on the folks we might or might not recognize. Writers, actors, collectors, artists paired with people who were muses or with a similar interests.
If you're looking for in-depth details, this might not be the book for you. I would call this a sampler of the history of these couples, an overview of who they are, how they met, how they managed to mesh their personal and professional lives, and whether they managed to stay together as the years rolled on.
The author has, however, provided a wealth of footnotes with more detailed references that can expand on what happened in their lives. I did enjoy this look behind the heteronormative history we are usually given. For me the surprise wasn't in who was gay/bisexual/lesbian, it was how long most of them stayed together in times that were, frankly, dangerous for sexually loving relationships.
As the title conveys, this is a collection of same-sex relationships, with a focus on the folks we might or might not recognize. Writers, actors, collectors, artists paired with people who were muses or with a similar interests.
If you're looking for in-depth details, this might not be the book for you. I would call this a sampler of the history of these couples, an overview of who they are, how they met, how they managed to mesh their personal and professional lives, and whether they managed to stay together as the years rolled on.
The author has, however, provided a wealth of footnotes with more detailed references that can expand on what happened in their lives. I did enjoy this look behind the heteronormative history we are usually given. For me the surprise wasn't in who was gay/bisexual/lesbian, it was how long most of them stayed together in times that were, frankly, dangerous for sexually loving relationships.
marymagdalena's review against another edition
2.75
not necessarily a bad read, just wasn't what i was expecting going into it. i was expecting a history of the concept of the outlaw marriage and in a way i got that, but this is more a series of mini biographies on famous same-sex relationships through history. some of them i wouldn't personally consider "outlaw marriages," but i'm not the author of the book so it was not my decision to make ultimately.
i would've liked a little more detail in the biographies told and at times they felt dry and were kind of a slog to get through. but this is a good jumping off point to find names of figures to look more into on their own.
didn't hate the book, just wasn't necessarily what i was expecting and wanting from a history read
i would've liked a little more detail in the biographies told and at times they felt dry and were kind of a slog to get through. but this is a good jumping off point to find names of figures to look more into on their own.
didn't hate the book, just wasn't necessarily what i was expecting and wanting from a history read
emmalinegc's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a delightful book for learning just a little about some fantastic stories & getting a peak at history from the 1980s to the late 1800s. I usually don't find myself reading books so quickly but I was reading this on my lunch breaks, with dinner, and before bed for a week.
usecauti0n's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
eestellar's review against another edition
It was boring - the people's stories didn't feel real, just like a textbook. Also the author overused the phrase "outlaw marriage". All the couples I read about were rich and white which made it a lot less interesting
aliena_jackson's review against another edition
1.0
One of the most boring and uninspiring reads of the decade. If you’re going to write about same sex couple who influenced history, try to do more than the bare minimum of research.
silverleaf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.25