I agreed with people when they say that this book is ageless. Besides the lack of technology, I wouldn't have known that this book was published before 2010s. I didn't like the romance aspect of this book that much, I couldn't care less whether they got together or not since their relationship was more like a tiny element in this book for me. What I liked was how Faith dealt with her sexuality, the teachings that were ingrained in her by her church and family, and the conflicts that she had with everyone including herself. Sydney was more of a side character for me and since her POV was 3rd instead of 1st like Faith's, it showed me that she's just a character in Faith's story even more.
I liked how a queer person's catholicism/religion and their struggles with it were portrayed in this book. It was more heavy-hearted than what I was expecting, but at the same time also not that heavy/angsty.
3.75/5

Lovely after established relationships. I struggled with the European history. But! I am going to look up some of the historical women mentioned.

I have to say that I was surprised to find that this is my new favorite Karin Kallmaker book. I always expect to love her books but this one took me by surprise. Upon finishing the book I wanted to immediately re-read it. I loved it that much. The book is told from both main characters points of views and I found myself completely tied to both characters. There were scenes and lines that had me holding my breath. Like when she says- "For every thought of him, I think of you a hundred times," I found myself highlighting line after line with my ereader. Just a great read. KK at her best! Loved it.

This ranks firmly in the "OK" category for me. It's not earth-shatteringly terrible, but it's far from great. I was able to breeze through it in a day while resting between chapters of "Life After Life". It was a nice brain departure, but not much substance to stick with me. In fact, I realized a few chapters in I had actually read it before a few years earlier, but the only thing I could remember about it was long passages about Eleanor of Aquitaine which has honestly very little to actually do with the story. So now having re-read it, I'll assume the vague memories of Eleanor will again be the only thing I remember about this book a year or so from now.

This book was one that we got for a dollar at our Women's book store and we thought we would just make fun of it. We read it at night before going to sleep...was kept awake several times. Pretty goofy a times but I honestly cared about the characters and was rooting for them even with the drama. I've become a big Karin Kallmaker fan, can't wait to read another one of her books.

This book is entertaining lesbian fiction that makes a great deal of the intelligence of both potential lovers. One is a history professor and the other plans to run for the Illinois state senate. The history professor is thirty-four and still living with her very Catholic parents even though her father has sometimes hit her, which I found a bit incredible. However, her parents' rejection of her sexuality is believable. I enjoyed Wild Things.

My how times have changed.

My longish review got erased somehow last night but what I had tried to say was how impressed I was with Ms Kallmaker's efforts to educate all who read this book. I had to check the publication date (1996) to aprreciate just how far acceptance of same sex relationships have come in the past almost twenty years.

A must read for everyone in this (mostly) post DOMA era we live in.

I really did enjoy following faith through her journey of self discovery. But I did feel that the romance of the book was lacking. It all felt super rushed, and that their feelings for each other happened very quickly.

Ooohhhh the angst!!

The updated audiobook was so great

A bit late to the game but after reading Captain of Industry I decided I needed to read the other books referenced. Chronologically this was the first one and it was fun to read about the politician before they were the speaker of the house

A while back I was feeling nostalgic and decided to re-read then review books I read many years ago (before I knew about Goodreads) that opened my eyes to sapphic fiction. This is one of them.
We meet Faith Fitzgerald and Sydney Van Allen. Sydney is a well known lawyer, out, proud and running for Senator. Her brother Eric's girlfriend is Faith a Catholic with religious convictions bolstered by her family and a historian and writer.
Kallmaker is clever in her nurturing of Faith's character. We move along with her inner conflict and debate. Family is important and the dread of rejection very real. She has to find peace with herself and her emotions. This is where the aspect of her being a writer of books about strong female leaders comes to play. It highlights her personal struggles and pushes her forward. Then Sydney enters her life.
The writing for Sydney is skillful as her own demons are addressed. Her wild side now tempered, her political focus clear she is able to handle the somewhat seamier depths of the political swimming pool until she meets Faith.
The angst, dread, attraction, turmoil, weight of family and of course religion are all deftly handled and wrapped in a romance which I loved.

A lapsed Catholic (who attended primary/high school run by nuns) I understand some of the angles as written by the author. I was fortunate to have two progressive individuals during my last two years of high school that willingly discussed my ideas on The Church, marriage and inclusivity. One a priest and the other a nun, they were my sounding boards and patiently listened to my ramblings without judgement and for that I will always be grateful.
It is important (I believe) when reading this book to take into consideration the year it was written - being aware of the technology at the time and prevailing sentiments regarding sexual preferences and religious beliefs. Much has changed but sadly even today, prejudices still exist.

Thank you Ms. Kallmaker for a book I easily recommend with 5 stars.