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Reviews
Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian Community by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy
myareads41's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
SO informative, essential reading, wish it was more widely known because this is such an important piece of our history. I love butches and fems give it up for butches and fems!!! going to hold this knowledge close to my heart for the rest of my life
cyruspapyrus's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
This book took a while to get through, but I would definitely consider it a key addition to anyone's reading list who is looking to learn more about butch/femme identities throughout history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each narrator's perspective on different issues, and though the analysis of each portion was bountiful, at times it felt excessive. Reading this book today as opposed to when this was first released definitely affects my rating, as a lot of information felt dated. Overall, if I had to choose between over-explaining and wishing for more analysis, I know I'd prefer an in-depth analysis at the risk of sounding repetitive. Would love to read more modern analysis on these identities, but the fact that a lot of stories were relatable today as well was actually pretty affirming! Glad this book exists.
meredith_collins's review
4.0
This is an amazing work of sociology. It feels a bit dated at this point, and it's blind spots regarding dealing with the reality of trans and bisexual women are real. Nonetheless, there's no other book like it treating Butch/Femme identity, sexuality, and practices.
jmercury's review against another edition
4.0
While non-academics will find parts of this book dry, it is an essential work documenting queer history. I am very impressed by the thorough work put into this text, and how the authors went out of their way to include butches and fems, and people of color as well as white people. With its eye towards intersectionality of race, class, gender, and sexuality, this balanced history offers great insight.
The highlights of this book are the chapters about relationships. The interviews relate stories that are sad, sexy, adorable, and amusing. Some of them are just too cute! The chapter discussing serial monogamy is also exceptionally well-crafted and provides much food for thought concerning how we, as creatures of society, view and engage in relationship structures.
The highlights of this book are the chapters about relationships. The interviews relate stories that are sad, sexy, adorable, and amusing. Some of them are just too cute! The chapter discussing serial monogamy is also exceptionally well-crafted and provides much food for thought concerning how we, as creatures of society, view and engage in relationship structures.