Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Yakut Orman

In many ways I really enjoyed this book and is definitely one I’d recommend, there are some negatives that I’ll discuss at the end but overall it was a very decent read. In ‘Rubyfruit Jungle’ we follow the main character of Molly from around ten to twenty five so is very much a ‘coming of age’ novel. She comes from a poor family in Pennsylvania and later moves to Florida just like the author Brown did so in a few ways it can be read as autofiction as other parts relate to her real life as well. The book chronicles many of Molly’s firsts in life, friendships and relationships and the like but the primary topic is her coming to terms with and acceptance of her queerness. The book is hailed as early lesbian fiction, first published in 1973 and I think despite its flaws the topics mentioned and messages shared are for sure what make this book a star read for me. It was so new for the time it was written, filling a space that was needed and allowing for many queer women to gain representation in books that was otherwise not readily (or ever) available. The discussions around the use of and need of labels was also very interesting and super modern for the time I’d say, Molly is clearly attracted to women despite having iaisons with men and does call herself a lesbian within the book but also she sometimes asks on what’s the point of labels rejecting them so I’m trying to call her queer - side note: I think Brown also isn’t too keen on labels thinking we’re all somewhere on the bisexual scale and I kinda love that but labels do still have their place and importance for some people.

Molly is a very developed character throughout this book as well and this is something I loved. She’s certainly not perfect but knows what she wants, is determined and at her heart I’d say does things for the good. I admired her ‘get up and go’ attitude to things, not wanting to be like other girls - and this is in general, not just because she’s queer but because she wants to see the world and make a name for herself, to rise above the circumstances she was born into - and she was also just really funny. I can picture homophobes reading this in the 70s being shocked at the outward queerness but finding it hard not to laugh out loud too, it’s honestly hilarious at times and Molly is just so damn cunning it’s pure gold. Many other characters were also quite developed, Molly’s mother Carrie definitely fit this bill despite how she may come across, her cousin Leroy too but his character didn’t have as much as a hold on me as the book developed. Her friends throughout were fun and interesting to see like Leota (her first love), Connie, Caroline, Fay, Kelvin (Awgh I wish he stayed for longer I kinda wanted a whole book about his character/storyline), Holly, Polina, and a few others. The writing was decent I’d say, I listened audibly so can’t say for sure but it flowed and I did find the pacing to be done exceptionally well.

I have a few problems and I think I’ll bullet point them.

Fatphobia - there sees to be quite a few references to certain characters (most notably Leroy at the start of the book) being fat and this is viewed in a negative light, it’s also not addressed as the book (and Molly) develops
Anti-butchness (is that a word?) - I did find Molly to view the Butch lesbians in a more negative way and once saying something like what’s the point when you could be with a man, it did develop to be a bit more nuanced and I know the author portrays herself as not the most feminine so it’s likely just the character and reflective of the time
Ageism - Molly seems to not really like or appreciate the older queers all that much, I get most younger people don’t and we leave her around twenty five so obviously her opinion will change but it’s a point
Rape & incest - the parts with Polina and later her daughter Alice were quite uncomfortable to read, when Molly manages to get Polina to have sex with her it’s quite forceful despite her later enjoying the act and it being done to release something she’s been repressing, that being said it’s still not right, later Alice thinks her mum wants to have sex with her and this whole discussion around incest was just totally unnecessary, weird and not handled the best I feel

With these issues being aired I do still think this was a very good book for the time and when I think about it in that context I am confident in my rating and recommendation. It’s obvious that times, expectations and standards have changed and there is now an abundance of more ‘correct’ lesbian/queer female literature but this still deserves its place and I did enjoy it.

Content Warnings

thaliareads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Overall I enjoyed the pace of this book, and I enjoyed watching Molly learn and grow as she moved further into her life. I especially loved how unapologetically herself she was. Her boldness in a time where she could have been severely punished for it was really cool. However, this probably isn't a book I would automatically feel compelled to re-read without a specific reason.

Content Warnings

hollifr's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I felt like the story had a slow start but once it picked up I got really into it. It's a great LGBTQ+ coming of age book with relatable characters and relevance to life now in the LBGTQ+ community. Will be recommending this book.

Content Warnings

sib_reads's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

marieketron's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I can see why this is a classic. Like many other readers I really enjoyed how molly is so completely in touch with her sexuality from the get go, and completely unapologetic about it. I also really connected with her revisiting her home town, as I was listening to this while back in nu own hometown. Anna Paquin was very well cast as the narrator. All that being said im not sure I would recommend this to just anyone. There is some really good stuff about male/female friendships, mother/daughter relationships, female friendships and insecurities, queer identity of course. But it all feels a bit rough as well, with everything bleeding out in the open and not much finesse (an effect which I'm sure to took a lot to create). That definitely has appeal and I enjoyed it but it might not be for everyone.

Content Warnings

drizzlybear's review against another edition

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challenging reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

slow start but it surprised me! somehow liked it despite the at-times abrasive characters & social commentary & lots of sex (not that that’s always bad, just not my favourite things in a book).
fascinating to have a look at what queer culture was like in the 60s/70s

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