I enjoyed this programme about Lesbian writers, on Radio 4 at 11.30am, this morning The first of a series, I think it's available as a download. Particularly interesting for me because it's presented by Val McDermid. I'm trying to get through 'Beneath the Bleeding' for a local crime reading group next Saturday. It has a great first chapter and then complications, not all so rivetting. It occurred to me during all the talk of Radclyffe Hall, Virginia Woolf and encoding that maybe it's why Tony Hill (played by Robson Green on TV) is so unconvincing. He's not really meant to be understood as a man. Trouble is, he's not a woman, either. I get on better with her books when he's not in them.

Sheila<BR><BR><B><Added><BR><BR>From <img src=../images/smile.gif>

The only one of hers I liked was "A PLACE OF EXECUTION' loosely based on the Moors murders and having nothing to do with Tony Hill. That was one of the best books I've ever read.
My daughter (16 next month) has just finished reading 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.' There's hope she may become a reader yet!
Missed this programme Sheila - may have to download it.

Yes, I stumbled across it, and thought it was really interesting - will certainly be tuning in next week. I love Val McD's Kate Brannigan books (Kate's relationship with Richard is only truly cardboard thing in them), and enjoyed the lesbian ones she wrote for Women's Press alongside as well, but I don't get on with her or anyone else's psycho-crime type stuff.

Emma



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I loved how rude they all were about The Well of Loneliness, which is, indeed, a very bad book. Just shows that sometimes writing with a powerful moral purpose really doesn't work...

My favourite VM so far has been Star Struck, in which Kate Brannigan goes solo. She takes on the job of body-guard for a soap-opera star and spends a lot of time on the set of what seems like Coronation Street.

Sheila

Yes, it's a terrific one. Though I liked Blue Genes, too. When I first read them I didn't know Val McD was gay, and puzzled over the deadness of the relationship with Richard - was I being unfair to think, 'Ah, yes, well, I see know,' when I realised? Because within the limits of the genre, the other relationships are really well done.

Emma