Besides this book being published almost 30 years ago, it (minus some outdated terms and views) is still poignant and a testament to the author’s writing skills. Mitchell’s attraction to thuggish men felt less like a fetishization and more of a trade off with Raheim as they both fell victim to patriarchal gender roles while seeking love and acceptance. This gave major Noah’s Arc vibes but with a toxic, central love story forged out of lust. Only flaw was the casual mention of some incestuous thoughts.