Thin Fire

by Nanci Little

Elen McNally is arrogant, intelligent and gorgeous. She’s also desperate for a ticket out of Aroostook County, Maine. Signing on for a hitch in the Army, she quickly discovers that life for a woman in the military can be brutal. At first believing that relationships with men will ease her path, a violent confrontation leads to the surprising, welcome discovery that other women can be friends… and more.

Transformed by living inside and outside the rigid requirements of Army life, Elen finds that while she cannot speak of her love for women, it is a thin fire running through her heart and her life. Returning home to the peace and beauty of the Maine woods, there is another mystery to discover: that the complement of loving is being loved.

Unforgettable women populate this vivid, provocative and sexy book from the author of The Grass Widow.

Originally published by Madwoman Press 1993
First Bella Books Edition 2012

Genres: Lesbian, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian Fiction, Fiction, Drama, Romance

206 pages, ebook

First published October 1, 1993

Reviews

[M.E. Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elen McNally -- nineteen years old and looking for the world. Intelligent, gorgeous and arrogant. Being abandoned, being hurt, being loved and finally learning to love.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for these military romances and this one sucked me in right away. There’s some heartache in this story and it’s not always easy to read but I loved the ending and the characters triumph over adversity. Note: sexual assault and hate crime in this one.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a number of phrases that I have bookmarked. The author has a really true hold for words. I had a fair number of highs and lows but a good number held more highs.
The author's writing style seemed confusing at times; distinguishing one character's event from another. But asides that this was a really good GI story.

[lauraღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

**general spoilers**

A good read overall, but there was a bunch of stuff peppered throughout that made it less enjoyable than it might have been for me. The sexual assault felt like a plot device and made me really uncomfortable, the constant POV switching was annoying, and everything dealing with academia and literature felt forced and overdone. The big death managed to be really anti-climactic and really upsetting all at once.

But it was overall enjoyable, to see Elen growing, coming into her own, finding herself and working past the obstacles in her way. 2.5/5.

[Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was long at times because there wasn't much action and it just seemed to drag on. It was also difficult at times to see which character was talking or thinking. There was also way too many deaths to my liking. On the other hand, the intimacy between characters was very detailed and I could believe it.

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the summary, I wouldn't have read this at all except that I liked the author's other book. I'm really glad I gave a chance. I liked it very well, though not as well as Grass Widow. As before, the writing is very strong. This is an author with a distinct style, and the narrative frequently shifts between different perspectives, often jumping forward or backwards in time a bit, but flowing wonderfully throughout. It's all very compelling, and I feel that the book would probably reward a much deeper reading than I gave it.

[Nicole Cafarelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story the ending is fast and lovey dovey but honestly, I can appreciate it given the sad undertone throughout the story and the recurring theme of tragic lesbian love endings as a theme in sapphic books before the 2020s, so I actually liked it

[Ulla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was most pleasantly surprised to read this wonderfully written novel, published already in 1993! The story itself isn't so exceptional but Little's way of writing is most pleasing, deeply felt and often very humorous. Can't wait to read her "Grass Widow".

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite books. Great writing, wonderful unfolding of deep human psychology, wonderful characters.
Amazing author. I love all of her books

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read, sad ending!!