A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women's Culture - 'An inspiring celebration of lesbian camaraderie, activism and fun' (Sarah Waters)

Lesbians have created gathering places for themselves, from the intimate darkness of the lesbian bar to the sweaty camaraderie of the softball field. These spaces are essential for queer women defining their identities, and journalist June Thomas invites readers into six iconic lesbian spaces over the last sixty years.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2024
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Lesbians are a people without a home, which is why the ones they create for themselves are so essential. This captivating cultural history of queer women's lives in the second half of the twentieth century is presented through six iconic spaces, showcasing the strength, camaraderie, and resilience of the lesbian community.

Author Sarah Waters offers an inspiring celebration of lesbian camaraderie, activism, and fun, highlighting the significant role these spaces have played in shaping the lives of queer women. Val McDermid praises the book as "riveting," "indispensable," and "suffused with a humane warmth." Alison Bechdel describes it as a "must-have for any queer bookshelf."

For centuries, queer women have created gathering grounds where they can be themselves, from the intimate darkness of the lesbian bar to the sweaty camaraderie of the softball field. These spaces are not a luxury but a necessity for queer women defining their identities.

In her book, journalist June Thomas invites readers into six iconic lesbian spaces over the course of the last sixty years, including the rural commune, the sex toy boutique, the holiday destination, and the feminist bookstore. She also explores the shift from the exclusive, tight-knit women's spaces of the 1970s to today's more inclusive yet more diffuse LGBTQ+ communities.

Thomas's ability to resurrect the past is a testament to her meticulous research, but it is her charming, irreverent, and tender voice that makes the journey through lesbian history so worthwhile. The New York Times praises the book for its "delicious dykes and the spaces we have made for ourselves over the years." Stella Duffy describes it as a "wonderfully rangy, conversational, and thoughtful exploration of lesbian geographies." Daniel Lavender calls it "immensely readable . . . A celebration of what was - and can."

In conclusion, "Lesbians Are a People Without a Home" is a highly readable cultural history that offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of queer women in the second half of the twentieth century. Through six iconic spaces, the book celebrates lesbian camaraderie, activism, and fun while exploring the significant role these spaces have played in shaping the LGBTQ+ community. June Thomas's meticulous research and charming voice make this a must-read for anyone interested in queer history and culture.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349018973