To Sappho, My Sister: Lesbian Sisters Write About Their Lives
Edited by Lee Fleming
Spinifex, 1995. 243 pp., $22.95
Reviewed by Jen Crothers
This collection from around the world, predominantly Canada and the US, documents the lives of lesbian sisters. Some of the stories are amazing, some are heartbreaking and all are interesting, for the simple reason that they document normal peoples' lives.
Each sister writes about growing up, coming out and her relationship with her sister or sisters. The selection of stories is fairly diverse, but Fleming could print only what she received, and I particularly noticed the lack of young women's stories.
For me, the most striking aspect of this book was the destructive nature of the family. Feelings of rejection, competitiveness and the struggle to be an individual all emerge repetitively. Of course these feelings are quite normal in all families, but the sexuality aspect lends an added dimension.
It's weird enough to have one lesbian in a family, but two? or three? Most of the women in this book had some fears of being seen as "copying". Nonetheless, through all the pain and hardship, strengthened personalities emerge. Most of the women see their family as a positive thing, despite all the negative aspects. The unity created by having the "same blood" runs deep, and all the more so for these women, because of their lesbianism in a heterosexist world.
Many aspects of these stories would be familiar, and thus interesting to many people, regardless of sexual orientation. Yet they will be most enjoyed by their target audience. To Sappho My Sister is an affirmation of lesbian sexuality and lesbian lives and is quite an inspiring read.