Since its publication, in 1928, "The Well Of Loneliness" has been both the mantle and bane of the lesbian's existence. Its heroine, called Stephen, would seem out of place even in our time, and the final plea, "Give us the right to exist!," while impacting, does not justify how generations of lesbians have used this text as an excuse for beating their breasts or gnashing their teeth in anguish over this book, which, at one time was all they had, and, while possessing a degree of advocacy, still goes on to generate even more anxiety and anguish. Is this all lesbians have?
Fannie Flagg eased things up a bit, with "Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Café," but Amy Bloom's "White Houses" goes even further. This is the poetically evocative, yet subtly erotic lesbian love story that beats Hall by miles. And its two characters are real, Eleanor Roosevelt--yes, THE Eleanor--and her companion/lover, Lorena Alice Hickcock.
The lesbian world painted here is one of subtle, Thirties glamour, shopping, wearing white gloves, undoing skirts, luncheons, kisses on the sly, and trying to look one's best going about their business. Anyone looking for lesbian graphics is advised to skip this one, although I had no idea that the euphemistic phrase, "See You Next Tuesday," went this far back. After all, I only discovered it for the first time, in "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" And I never thought of its meaning, till about ten years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, next Tuesday or not, girls, this is a fiercely poetic tale of love between two very independent and intelligent women. Lord knows, Eleanor was no beauty, and I guess Alice was not, either, but love from the heart and soul is more what Amy Bloom (did I read "Away?" I cannot recall!) writes about with such poetic lyricism the book cannot help but be moving.
Interesting for me, personally, was the appearance of a speech writer named Joe Lash. I imagine this was the Joe Lash, (or his son?) who wrote the dual bios "Eleanor And Franklin," and "Eleanor:The Years Alone." I struggled to get through them, one summer between high school years; they were both so lugubrious, and idealized both to the point of sainthood. Bloom's book, while fiction, humanizes both women to a point where both can well be tolerated.
The book has its own brand of feminine enchantment. I am telling you, girls, when the reading is done, you will want to don white gloves, and have tea with them both!
Even if, like me, you are not a lesbian!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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