First Digital Edition; Grier Rating: A***
A question looms throughout the pages of The Lion House. Can a woman be a lesbian and not be aware of it? As Jo, our lead character, finds out—yes, it possible. Jo practically throws her husband at Frannie, then forgives all their transgressions because she is in love with Frannie. Does Frannie return her love? This is the second big question for our story. Extremely well-written, this tale is the story of two woman’s lives—two women who are linked through their everyday activities and their affection for each other. The subtle relationship between two women with its lesbian undertones is described with a skill worthy of Colette.
Marjorie Lee has written a book that is both brilliant and brave. She delves beneath the surface of deeds and emotions to deftly expose the savage that lies in all of us, even those who live in supposed serenity in the suburbs. Every woman will recognize parts of herself in the two leading characters. She will share the emotional turmoil of a woman caught in the agony of wanting love but not knowing how to get it because she does not know how to give it.
This is an exciting, original book brimming over with dialogue that is devastating in its pungency and its perception. Sometimes you feel like laughing, sometimes like crying, sometimes like gasping in shock as starkly written sexual scenes surge up from the pages. These are not included for mere sensationalism, but come out of an understanding of human nature. Always you care about those whose lives are being portrayed, and this is the true test of a book.
