Out in the Mountains

OUTSPOKEN:

OITM’s Quote of the Month

“I’m a member as much as I need
to be a member. If they need me
as their role model, I’m there as
their role model. But not
because I’m going to placate and
pander to the lowest common
denominator of sexuality. I’m a
role model because I’m a damn
good person. And if that's not
enough, then they can lick my
ass.”

Sandra Bernhard, commenting
on her “membership” in the
lesbian and gay community

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OITM Review: STIR-F RY

Emma Donoghue
HarperCo1linsPublishers

Susan Jasmin

My ex—girlfriend and I, in the conceit of a
then blissful relationship, used to joke
about being the poster children for a suc-
cessful queer couple based on individuality
first and sexuality second. As we have
since successfully broken up, I would rec-
ommend Emma Donoghue’s new book,
Stir-Fry, as an affirmative, intelligent role
model and coming of age story.

Seventeen year old Maria, which rhymes
with “pariah”, who arrives in Dublin to
attend her first year at University and to
escape living with an elderly aunt, an-
swers a flyer for a flatmate with the cryp-
tic “2 female” symbol. A brief inquiry to
a stranger reveals that it “just means
women...but they’d probably be fairly
feministy, you know the sort”.

Undaunted, Maria arranges to see the flat
inhabited by Jael and Ruth, who share a
single room with one futon, Maria’s first
broad hint. She settles herself into their
somewhat bohemian lifestyle as well as
establishing her own typical f1rst—year—at—
University friendships, the party-going
best friend, the American boy, and the
theatre company.

Jael at twenty-nine is an erstwhile student
living off a family allowance and Ruth, al-
though younger than Jael, has already
held a government job that pays her a pen-
sion to return to school. Since Jael and
Ruth, who have lived together for six
months, do not come out to Maria right
away having lost their previous flatmate
to intolerance, the characters are allowed
to interact independently of the issue of
sexuality. In an early conversation with
Ruth outside the library, Maria expresses
her concern with J ael’s sarcasm:

“Has Jael been giving you a hard time?”
Ruth was watching; her voice was sud-
denly concerned.

“No, no. I'm sure she just takes a while
to get used to.”

“Listen, if she ’s ever really—-if she makes
you feel uncomfortable, tell me.”

“And what ‘ll you do?” asked Maria
cheekily.

“Oh, probably beat her to death with the
shower attachment. ”

Conversations like this, their realism and
personality along with the Euro-
intonations, make for a slightly off-
balance if not propelling read.

While Ruth provides much of the polit-
ical awareness for Maria’s new world,

Susan McKenzie, M. S.

Experienced Feminist Therapist-Licensed Psychologist
Formerly Affiliated with the Women's Therapy Center, Burlington, VT

Announces the opening of a new practice in Norwich, VT
Lesbian issues: Relationships, Parenting, Childhood Trauma, Life
Transitions, Anxiety and Depression

Insurance Accepted - Sliding Fees - Supervision and Consultation
(302) 296-5819

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