Suffering Sappho!: Lesbian Camp in American Popular Culture

In postwar America, an obsession with managing gender and female sexuality spread their campy manifestations throughout mainstream culture, leading to the emergence of five prototypical queer icons: the sicko, the monster, the spinster, the Amazon, and the rebel. Suffering Sappho! offers the first major consideration of lesbian camp in American popular culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

In a frantic and panicked state, Wonder Woman desperately rushes through the city skyline, desperately pleading with Steve to halt her. A twisted queen of sorority row, driven by her own queer shame, crashes her convertible in an attempt to escape the societal pressures that weigh upon her. A suave butch emcee takes center stage, introducing the glamorous and feathered stars of the most celebrated drag revue of the era. These startling figures, emerging in an unsettled and retrenching postwar America, betrayed the failure of promised consensus and the pursuit of conformity. However, they could also be cruel, painful, and disciplinary jokes. It becomes evident that an obsession with managing gender and female sexuality after the war would hardly confine these campy manifestations. Instead, it spread their campy manifestations throughout mainstream culture.

Suffering Sappho! offers a groundbreaking exploration of lesbian camp in American popular culture, delving into a larger-than-life lesbian menace that permeates various midcentury media forms. Through the pages of comics, sensational pulp fiction, television dramas, and drive-in movies, Barbara Jane Brickman uncovers a rich tapestry of evidence, revealing not just campy sexual deviants but also troubling female performers whose failures could be epic yet hold a subversive potential that inspires.

Within this comprehensive examination, Brickman identifies five prototypical queer icons that emerge from the world of lesbian camp. These icons include the "sicko," the "monster," the "spinster," the "Amazon," and the "rebel." Each of these figures represents a distinct aspect of lesbian identity and experiences, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of a society grappling with gender and sexuality.

The "sicko" is a figure who revels in their unconventional sexual desires and practices, often defying societal norms and expectations. They are portrayed as deviant, perverse, and sometimes even dangerous, but their unapologetic embrace of their sexuality offers a subversive challenge to the dominant heterosexual narrative. The "monster" is a creature who embodies the fears and anxieties surrounding homosexuality, often depicted as monstrous, grotesque, or predatory. However, these representations can also be seen as a commentary on the societal fears and prejudices that marginalized LGBTQ+ individuals during this period. The "spinster" is a woman who remains unmarried or childless, often portrayed as lonely, sad, or desperate. However, the spinster's refusal to conform to traditional gender roles and her pursuit of personal fulfillment offer a defiant alternative to the pressures of marriage and family. The "Amazon" is a powerful and independent woman who embodies the ideals of female empowerment and self-reliance. She is often depicted as a warrior, fighter, or explorer, challenging traditional gender roles and asserting her authority. The "rebel" is a figure who rejects societal norms and expectations, often advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. They are portrayed as rebellious, defiant, and sometimes even dangerous, but their unwavering commitment to social justice and their refusal to be silenced offers a powerful example for others.

Through her meticulous research and analysis, Brickman demonstrates how these queer icons were perpetuated and transformed across different media forms. She explores the ways in which comics, pulp fiction, television dramas, and drive-in movies used campy aesthetics, exaggerated performances, and queer subtexts to create a sense of humor, pleasure, and empowerment for their audiences. These representations not only entertained but also challenged the dominant narratives of gender and sexuality, offering a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves and find community.

Suffering Sappho! is a seminal work that offers a fresh perspective on lesbian camp in American popular culture. It challenges the notion that camp is solely a form of entertainment or a niche interest, instead positioning it as a powerful tool for subversion and social commentary. Brickman's comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the complexities of gender and sexuality, shedding light on the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and their contributions to the broader cultural landscape.

In addition to its academic value, Suffering Sappho! is a visually captivating book that features supplemental images of interest related to the title. These images, drawn from various sources, including comics, pulp fiction, television dramas, and drive-in movies, add depth and context to the discussions presented in the text. They serve as visual evidence of the queer menace and the subversive potential of campy aesthetics, providing a visual feast for readers who are interested in exploring the world of lesbian camp.

Overall, Suffering Sappho! is a must-read for anyone interested in queer history, popular culture, and the complexities of gender and sexuality. It offers a rich and nuanced exploration of lesbian camp, providing a valuable contribution to the field of queer studies. Brickman's meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds, making it an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of gender and sexuality in midcentury America.

Weight: 59g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978828254