 "A Classic" | 2008-08-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1HCY0CZ57HBBA |
I read this book only recently and although it is a bit dated because of being published in 1983, it is also what I would consider a classic. I think it set the stage for lesbian fiction to also be literary fiction. It is a subtle yet powerful story of what happens when two women find themselves attracted to one another.
I only wish I had found this book in 1983 when I was married and raising small children and found myself in love with my best female friend. I think I spent a decade hating myself for it. This book would have helped me accept and understand what was happening to me.
I don't know Katherine Forrest's motivation for writing this story, but I am certainly grateful that she had the courage to write it down and publish it, so that women, even 25 years later can find it again or read it for the first time. |
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| "One of the best in lesbian fiction" | 2008-07-23 |
| - Reviewed By llb73 |
| I gave a copy of this book to all of my straight friends so they could read what romanace and love between two women is really like--and they loved the book too! The characters are so well developed and the love is very true to life. It felt good to read a book that echoed how I really feel. After I read this book, I dove into An Emergence of Green, which was also very good. |
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 "A little outdated by now, but probably a good intro into the genre" | 2007-12-03 |
| - Reviewed By jennifer8508 |
| This is the first lesbian romance that I've read, and I enjoyed it. The book can't help being a bit outdated given when it was published and the time period it's set in. The characters were well developed, and the romance was sweet. I felt a bit let down at the end, since once they left the cabin the remaining characters were completely neglected (we never even found out for sure if Liz took her husband back). I also wondered about the ease of Diana's outing, in that the only person addressed was her dad. Having never come out to anyone, obviously I can't attest to the accuracy of it, but I thought his reaction was sweet and sincere. I don't much care for the "bodice ripper" style in general, and the whole interaction with Chick felt a bit that way -- kind of unnecessary, and I could really have done without the detail in the aftermath (I doubt young women today would know what a good deal of the terms are referring to). It was slow going in the beginning, but picked up about 1/2 through, then did tend to turn a bit trashy, but I like trashy romance novels, so that worked for me. Anyway, I don't have much to say that hasn't been said already, but a heterosexual's viewpoint can't hurt, right? I doubt this will be the only dip into this genre I take, but I think I'll stick with books written within the last 10 years or so, just so that I'll be able to follow along a bit better. I was only a few years old in the time this book was set in, so I'm probably missing a bit of it. |
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| "I too was curious" | 2007-10-29 |
| - Reviewed By ginagirlylover |
| I have to admit I wasn't into all the conversation of the women at the beginning, but the fact that the constant attraction and want between the two women kept me reading I couldn't put it down I finished it without putting it down once, i finished within a couple of hours and was aching for more.. it's truly a wonderful love story well written and very descriptive, my favorite kind. i will make my lover read it! |
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| "Still A Classic" | 2006-11-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A34PBT5SFUP8RD |
| I loaned my copy of "Curious Wine" out years ago, and since I can't remember to who, I decided to pick up a new copy. I read it again and loved it just as much as I ever did. I have heard complaints that the story is far-fetched, but for some reason, as you read it IS believable. Besides, I don't read novels to steep myself in reality. This is a great page-turner and a light, even beautiful, story. A must-have for any lesbian's book collection. |
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| "Curious????" | 2006-07-31 |
| - Reviewed By User: AXA7RL5VUV4XF |
I loved this book and have read it many times over the years. It is pretty fast paced, but what the heck at least there was no U-Haul involved.
This novel made my heart swell with joy and love.
I offer this novel as a first lesbian must read. Yes, in today's world it wouldn't fly, but it is fiction and it was written quite awhile ago.
Enjoy!
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 "Endlessly Re-readable" | 2006-06-15 |
| - Reviewed By ladydanay |
Curious Wine was part of the beginning of my lesbian book collection (having come out in the mid-80's). It's still one of my favorite lesbian romances after all these years. I am not one to re-read books much, but I do have a short list of select lesbian novels that I tend to re-read every 1-2 years as sort of my "lezzie break" from reading everything else that I do, the majority of which is written by and about straight people. Curious Wine is right smack at the top of that list. (Along with one of Forrest's other novels, Emergence of Green.)
As another reviewer mentioned, this is lesbian fantasy romance. It's not terribly believable that two women meet, fall in love, and decide to devote their lives to each other in the space of three or four days. Normally that sort of thing irritates me in a book. But in this case, it doesn't matter! The characters are so wonderfully drawn, their connection so profound, and the setting so beautifully detailed, that it all works wonderfully in this singular book.
Curious Wine is historically important in lesbian fiction because of the time period in which the story takes place, and the time period in which it was published. Lesbian fiction was just starting to get a significant foothold back then with the help of publishers like Naiad Press. So even if you're not a romance fan, it's worth reading at least once just for that.
For romance fans, Curious Wine will likely take an honored place on your bookshelf, to be taken down and read time after time. No lesbian home is complete without it. |
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| "The FIRST Classic Lesbian Love Story with a Happy Ending!!" | 2006-03-29 |
| - Reviewed By kefox@hotmail.com |
When I was questioning my sexuality (about being a lesbian) in the late 1980's, I was hungry for a book that would give me a positive outlook on being a lesbian. Unfortunately I didn't find or read any sexy, enlightening, and romantic lesbian novels until I stumbled upon 'Curious Wine' by Katherine Forrest. I read this book in a couple of hours and proceeded to read it at least another 50 times (this is no exaggeration.) I love this book so much, I own 4 copies. Also, in 2006 I travelled to Australia and New Zealand with a copy of this book in my luggage (I am NOT kidding!)
IN a nutshell, this book is about a groups of women (mostly acquaintances or strangers) who meet up in cabin in Lake Tahoe for a vacation. Lane Christianson, a lawyer, and Diana, a personnel manager, immediately strike up a friendship which soon develops into something more. Please be warned, this book is a bit dated (the time frame takes place in the late 1970's) but this is still one of my all time favorite books EVER! And at least to me, this book has it all - gorgeous women, fabulous and multiple lesbian love scenes, romantic intensity, and most especially A HAPPY ENDING.
Up until Curious Wine came out, lesbians (espeically good looking ones) living happily ever after was a rare thing (in fact I never read a book that had a happy ending until this one.) By the way, the book on tape of this book is also fabulous. The lady who reads it has this delicious English accent and I listened to it so much, I broke the tape!
Buy a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed (unless you hate romance.) |
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| "Good Read" | 2006-03-10 |
| - Reviewed By devonsinger |
| The story was easy to read and just detailed enough to fall into the book. I picked this book from another book I read, which is also my all time favorite, "Turning the Page". Curious Wine was titillating enough to stay up and extra hour to finish. |
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| "Review of "Curious Wine" by Cheri Rosenberg" | 2006-02-28 |
| - Reviewed By clrosenberg |
"Curious Wine" is a classic romance in every sense of the word. Lambda Literary award-winning author Katherine V. Forrest has captured the hearts and minds of readers since her debut novel came out in 1983. Best known today for her Kate Delafield mysteries and the groundbreaking science fiction novel, "Daughters of a Coral Dawn," Forrest writes romance, mystery, speculative fiction, short stories, and erotica equally well. She continues to be a positive role model to writers, editors, and just about every woman whose life she has touched.
"Curious Wine" is a coming out tale about two loveable, real, and enviable women, Diana Holland and Lane Christianson. The fact that they find each other unexpectedly and connect so profoundly in every way possible is amazing given the political climate of the late seventies. During that time, most lesbians were either in denial or in the closet. A stunning role model in an era when positive, life-affirming lesbian romances were rare, Forrest helped to change all that. "Curious Wine" is touted as "the most popular lesbian novel in the world today," by The Naiad Press, Inc. 1997, and with good reason. With over 100,000 copies sold, numerous editions printed, women of all generations continue to enjoy and be influenced by what she writes.
Diana Holland, a businesswoman who works for a title and trust company, is hurting from a breakup with her boyfriend. To get her mind off her heartache she heads out to Lake Tahoe with her best friend Vivian Kaufman. Forrest transports readers into a comfortable cabin in the woods in Lake Tahoe where both Diana and Lane are guests of Liz Russo. Six women, some meeting for the first time, get to know one another, over drinks, fun, and games. Each woman brings her own story and "baggage" along, which is revealed as the tale unfolds leading to both friendly and volatile interactions.
When Diana meets Lane, the stunning hotshot lawyer, she is impressed by her intelligence, sharp wit, and striking good looks. Diana and Lane form a special bond apart from the group when they discover they have much in common including the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Who would have guessed that Diana would find true love among women? Will Diana be brave enough to love Lane Christianson when every thought screams, "I am not a lesbian" [p. 80] but every fiber of her being is telling her loud and clear that she does in fact, want Lane.
What starts out as "friendly" comforting after a disastrous mind game played with the houseguests, ends up becoming the beginnings of a relationship between two women who become lovers. Each has her own agenda, wants, needs, and desires, but what is undeniable is that they both have an irrefutable attraction and affection for one another. It is easy to love these characters and root for their happiness especially when a less than perfect world of intolerance and bigotry exists. Hoping their love can withstand obstacles both intrinsic and extrinsic keeps the reader glued to the pages.
Amidst the gorgeous setting, divine prose, plausible plot, loveable characters, passionate lovemaking, and life-affirming story, "Curious Wine" is a classic, which transcends generations. The dialogue and narrative intermingle in a well-choreographed dance that makes Diana's world real enough to forget you're reading a novel. The year nineteen seventy-eight was not an easy time to "come out"; women and men who followed their hearts despite societal prejudices were very admirable indeed.
Having won the 2005 Lambda Literary Award in the Lesbian Mystery category for "Hancock Park" and the prestigious Lambda Pioneer Award, Katherine V. Forrest, is well deserving of these accolades with her tireless efforts for the gay community and her collection of captivating fiction. I applaud her with a standing ovation for what she has achieved and for the fine example she has set for future authors of this genre. I recommend "Curious Wine" to anyone who wants a delightful, expertly written, entertaining, engaging, and remarkably romantic tale. It is a timeless novel to be revisited often!
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