Yes, it's your fault I was spoiled. You MADE me click on the cut and read your amazing review and guided my hand to type a response! :p (I hate it when people don't exercise some caution when going on site with spoiler-friendly tendencies. That responsibility goes both ways. And besides, I didn't get much plot from the review but lots to think about, which is very masterly of you indeed!)
When I first read FH I was surprised at the depiction of herself Bechdel was going with, because I'd spent years meeting and reading about other LGBT people that didn't act like that at all. But I though to myself that there shouldn't be a behavior classification for sexuality, since it's just one facet of your personality. And like you mention, it's her life story. I'd feel like a bigot saying "There's no possible way you acted like that, so here, let me tell your how you really acted." And if that was her contribution, hopefully the rest of the book had varied examples. Though I can believe you had trouble finding a representative role model growing up.
Also, she makes it clear (at least in my reading) that she knows she was attracted to a very stereotypical version of manhood, and at complete odds with her art-restoring, drama play-loving father. I feel it was rooted in impressionable childhood misconceptions. And I've read a fair portion of Dykes to Watch Out For, and she definitely explores different expressions of lesbianism.
Back to FH!
I see your point about Bechdel's father sleeping with male teens definitely about to wrap up puberty, which helps, but doesn't make it ... great.
YAY for Brave-themed party! We're Hello Kitty-themed party bags, though!
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2012-07-03 03:18 pm (UTC)When I first read FH I was surprised at the depiction of herself Bechdel was going with, because I'd spent years meeting and reading about other LGBT people that didn't act like that at all. But I though to myself that there shouldn't be a behavior classification for sexuality, since it's just one facet of your personality. And like you mention, it's her life story. I'd feel like a bigot saying "There's no possible way you acted like that, so here, let me tell your how you really acted." And if that was her contribution, hopefully the rest of the book had varied examples. Though I can believe you had trouble finding a representative role model growing up.
Also, she makes it clear (at least in my reading) that she knows she was attracted to a very stereotypical version of manhood, and at complete odds with her art-restoring, drama play-loving father. I feel it was rooted in impressionable childhood misconceptions. And I've read a fair portion of Dykes to Watch Out For, and she definitely explores different expressions of lesbianism.
Back to FH!
I see your point about Bechdel's father sleeping with male teens definitely about to wrap up puberty, which helps, but doesn't make it ... great.
YAY for Brave-themed party! We're Hello Kitty-themed party bags, though!