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Review of This Is Not For You By Jane Rule Jane Rule's epistolary tale, This Is Not For You, should be considered a literary classic in lesbian writing. Veiled references to the lifestyle are appropriate to the time, giving readers today a greater understanding of the advances in tolerance by society since the 1950's and 1960's. This by no means implies that the text has only historical worth --- it speaks of the turmoil felt by individuals struggling with sexual identity today. Kate is a woman sure of her own sexuality, but unsure how to deal with her desires for women who are not so certain. This novel is an undelivered letter that is addressed to a woman Kate regrets not explaining her feelings to before it was too late. At turns poignant and ironic, this epistle speaks of the universal truths behind unrequited love. Rule's civilized manner of writing --- almost prudish --- is sometimes considered too dry by those accustomed to current lesbian literature, but discounting the work on this basis is a mistake. "I was surprised by her body, surprised by its ignorance of itself and therefore of mine. She must always before have done all the teaching of the very little she knew, physically too shy to be curious, simply needy. I would like to have been relieved, but I was disappointed. We lay in the dark, silent. Then Sandy got up. 'I can't stand much more of this,' she said. 'Oh? I'd heard you were determined to make everyone in the graduating class.' 'Don't, Kate. Help me.' How? In the dark, particularly, words are important, as graphic and repetitive as the body's rhythm, but anticipating it so that nothing is uncertain or clumsy. While touch is gentle, exploring, let words invade, startle so that crude touch does not. Then speak gently so that breasts do not forget what thighs open for now. Talk desire, call to it, make it come to you all together. Now. 'There,' I said. 'That's something worth feeling guilty about, anyway.' 'You're incredible.' Not bad for a girl, I wanted to say, or it's nothing really, or all I'm after is a credible performance; but I didn't say anything. After a moment, I turned on the light to find a cigarette. 'Don't hide. You've got a lovely body.' 'Aren't you ever afraid?' 'Of this? No.' Now get out, I wanted to say, but I didn't. We talked awkwardly for a little while before she finally dressed and left…." In the previous excerpt, Rule shows there is no need for lurid details to show the reality coursing beneath sexuality --- the feelings, interactive dynamics. She shows Kate with a somewhat masculine side, engaging in the internal debate about when to ask a lover to leave after a tryst. This Is Not For You is a necessary addition to the library of anyone who considers herself a student of women's literature. It can only be hoped it will remain a novel of historical importance, and not a cautionary tale of a future of intolerance. This Is Not For You, By Jane Rule ISBN 1-894663-84-5 Toronto, Canada, Insomniac Press, 2005 Originally published 1970, New York, McCall Pub. Co. |