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Beebo Brinker

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Beebo Brinker

By: Ann Bannon
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
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About this listen

Ann Bannon was designated the “Queen of Lesbian Pulp” for authoring several landmark novels in the ’50s. Unlike many writers of the period, however, Bannon broke through the shame and isolation typically portrayed in lesbian pulps, offering instead characters who embraced their sexuality. With Beebo Brinker, Bannon introduces a butch 17-year-old farm girl newly arrived in Beat-era Greenwich Village.

©1962 Cleis Press (P)2011 Cleis Press Romance Women's Fiction Fiction

Critic reviews

"The eponymous protagonist is sent packing from her stodgy Wisconsin home after wearing drag to the state fair. She relocates to Greenwich Village, New York's capital of the avant-garde, where she is free to pursue 'love that smolders in the shadows of the twilight world'. This is more kitschy now but still fun for its 1950s sensibilities." ( Library Journal)
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I really enjoyed the gripping storyline Ann Bannon, author, uses to tell the fictionalised account of Beebo Brinker and show what life was like for lesbians in 1950s US. She says her books are based on real goings on in Greenwich Village at that time and I wish I had come across Beebo Brinker when I was young because she would have helped me feel less confused and lost as I hope she still does for young butch lesbians today.
I believe it is important that Ann Bannon's books continue to be published, and available as audiobooks, because even though they are fiction they are a precious historical record of lesbian life and contain issues that are still very relevant now. Without an awareness of history humanity repeats its mistakes, and that includes lesbians too, so these books need to be preserved and treasured in a time when most young people are too intent on throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

A fascinating take on lesbian life in 1950s US

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Not a book I would normally go for, but a very enjoyable read. Believable characters and a good narrative. At times it felt like the dialogue didn't flow with too many "she said, he said", but this may have seemed to be just how the narrator said it.

Interesting glimpse into a life

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