Lesbian Fiction by Elly Bulkin

Lesbian Fiction

An Anthology

Elly Bulkin

Lesbian Fiction: An Anthology, edited by Elly Bulkin and published in 1981 by Persephone Press, is a landmark collection that brings together 28 short stories by lesbian writers, offering a rich tapestry of lesbian experiences and identities.

This anthology features a diverse range of voices, including Dorothy Allison, Audre Lorde, Jewelle Gomez, Jane Rule, Elizabeth A. Lynn, and Ann Allen Shockley. The stories delve into themes such as motherhood, aging, Southern life, sexual relationships, work, illness, coming of age, racism, family bonds, and friendships. The collection reflects a mosaic of lesbian lives, highlighting various racial, ethnic, class, and regional identities.

These stories are praised for their emotional depth and exploration of complex themes.

The anthology has been lauded for its comprehensive introduction by Elly Bulkin, which spans 27 pages and offers scholarly insight into lesbian short fiction. Reviewers have highlighted the anthology’s role in bringing attention to writers who were not widely recognized at the time of publication.

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Legacy

Lesbian Fiction: An Anthology stands as a significant work in lesbian literature, capturing the voices and experiences of lesbian women in the late 20th century. Its diverse narratives and inclusion of both emerging and established writers make it a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of lesbian fiction.

Contents: Introduction: a look at lesbian short fiction / Elly Bulkin — Day’s growth / Pat Suncircle — Boys at the rodeo / Judy Grahn — Maria Littlebear / Jo Carrillo — In the attic of the house / Jane Rule — Photographs of energy and color / Katherine Sturtevant — Kansas in the spring / Sandy Boucher — Thanksgiving day / Barbara Noda — Family reunion / Diana Rivers — Kippy / Julie Blackwoman — Mariam / Pat Suncircle — Another place to begin / Flying Clouds — I’m working on my charm / Dorothy Allison — Thesis: antithesis / Jan Clausen — Sequences / Aleida Rodriquez — Case of telemania / Ann Allen Shockley — Journal of Rachel Robotnik / Irena Klepfisz — Poa Poa is living breathing light / Kitty Tsui — River of names / Dorothy Allison — Present danger / Judith McDaniel — Oxblood shawls / Lynn Michaels — Twins / Barbara Sheen — No day too long Jewelle Gomez — Woman who loved the moon / Elizabeth A. Lynn — Beginning / Audre Lorde.

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