First printing, a trade paperback original. An "outrageous, zesty, funny Lesbian novel ... the adventures of a Lesbian mother with six children, three hundred rabbits and very relaxed attitude." Cover art by Tee A. Corinne." 126 pp.
Re-reading now (July 2011). It was published in 1982, and is actually a really fascinating read right now, as we are seeing dramatic shifts in conceptualizations of LGBT life among mainstream folks. It's odd how antiquated the vitriol about "homosexuality" sounds in this context (aside: I am well aware that this kind of vitriol is still alive and well - it's just that there's so much more context which treats that same lunacy as preposterous now...). I loved loved this book when I was first coming out. Now approaching as almost a historical novel of some kind. Also found there is a sequel listed in GoodReads which I never knew about. So re-reading so I can read the sequel and see what that was about! 8/2011: less belly shaking laughter this time around, but a good, reliable read. I really enjoy this author!
The story of a custody battle between a lesbian mother of six and her dull creep of an ex-husband, told through a series of monologues/court documents that flesh out the life and times of the protagonist and her family. Very little of the comedy in this book worked for me, and I found several passages either annoying or hard to care about. There are however some sweeping and beautiful chapters toward the middle and end of the book where it felt like all the disparate elements clicked together. One extended tale of travelling through the Mexican desert was particularly lovely. I'd be curious to read more of Ortiz Taylor's work.
"This movement back and forth of need and support was as patterned as a dance yet as simple as two women cleaning a kitchen together, knowing how, from the endless kitchens they had cleaned alone."