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I've been sitting here for half-an-hour wondering what words to use for this ... book. (See, I've again run short of words and adjectives to describe this book).
Set in the 1980s, this is on one level is simple enough story of Joan Goodwin — her quiet life, her silent dreams, her family dynamics, her personality, earnestness, her work ethic and her friendships. On another level, it's about space, large dreams, deep philosophies, patriarchy, socio-political environment of the time, and personal growth.
And on every level, this is a stunning and incredibly beautiful love story between Joan and Venessa Ford — navigating everything mentioned above. Intensely romantic, touchingly tender and heartbreakingly soft. Everything love should be.
Jenkins' superpower is her ability to weave in so much in a way that you're eager to read the next word; sentence; page; chapter — even when you know how the story is going to unfold. It's her ability to make you feel connections and ache for the pen-people like it's all happening to you. You viscerally feel each characters' feelings — be it supporting characters that are just meant to give enough tapestry to build the world or the MCs who are living, breathing, feeling people.
In the entirely incredible book there are two standout chapters:
- When Joan want to sacrifice and Venessa fights for them: This is the most beautiful 'fight' ever. I haven't read anything even comparable.
- The last chapter is entirely devastating. You'll be re-reading it repeatedly.
I literally cannot recommend this book enough. It's lesbian romance at its finest.
PS: Love the cover too.
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