You're Not from Around Here, Are You?: A Lesbian in Small-Town America

by Louise A. Blum

Blum is a natural, infectious writer and her story is a compelling one. Tracing her coming out, as a professor in a small Pennsylvania town, and her decision to have a child, the memoir deftly balances humor and poignancy. It also makes an important statement. Analyzing how one lives openly and honestly in a society that is still largely homophobic, Blum captures the central dillemma that continues to haunt gay lives--especially those lived outside America's largest urban centers. In some ways, this is the female version of "Farm Boys," and it should speak directly to the large numbers of women--lesbians of course but also single mothers--who are making their own way in small towns and more traditional areas throughout the country.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Memoir, Queer, Lesbian, Biography, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 13, 2001

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have endurance as a reader. This book was a double marathon. As much as I want to promote and support lesbian writers and other realms of life, books like this make it incredibly hard.
I wanted it to be a book with stories about gays and lesbians living in a small town. Instead I got some pregnancy story that bored me to tears. I never skip parts of books and as soon as anything had to do with reproduction I was skipping like a school girl playing double dutch.
One star for the energy put into writing it, another star for the revolution.

[Jessica Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a lesbian couple living in "God Country" and trying to conceive in the late 90's. The story winds through Louise and Connie's experiences from coming out to raising their daughter. Along the way Blum competently portrays the everyday struggle that it is to be gay. This autobiography reads like an eloquent novel. The writing and imagery are beautiful and add to the emotional importance of the story.

[Allan Dunn jr]

I had the authors sister as a professor and the book was amazingly good at describing the inequalities the LGBT community faces.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible. The subtitle is "A Lesbian in Small Town America," and so you might rightfully think it's a memoir about the difficulties of being lesbian in a small town in "Pennsyltucky." The book is maybe 20% about being a lesbian and the other 80% is a very boring very long recount of getting pregnant via IVF, being pregnant, and eventually, having a child. The author is overly dramatic about everything. All pregnant women have worries and concerns, but hers are ever present.
She wrote in one really bad sort of sex scene. Like her publishers said, "You really need to include something about sex," so she did, but reluctantly.
Also, she wrote this in an actual book: "Outside the air was damp and heavy, as if the whole neighborhood were a moist vagina." This is not offensive because of the words used, it is offensive for how horrible the writing is.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, I tore through this book for days at a time instead of hours (so hopefully that shows my interest in it). For the second half of the text, she includes more dry and sarcastic humor which put me off. Overall their story gave me some more insight into their experience as a same-sex couple trying to start a family. In my experience, I have yet to see a family like this and have only ever heard of it happening.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. A bit dated, since it took place during the (Bill) Clinton era, but still relatable in parts. The first half, where she talked more about what it was like to be gay and out in a small, Conservative town, was stronger than the 2nd half where she talked about her pregnancy.

[Kelsey Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and optimistic yet clearly real representation of lesbian culture. I had no idea how many of the things happening in the book were still happening as late as the 90s, and Louise and Connie’s reactions are always nothing short of inspiring.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blum has a great sense of humor. Very enjoyable.

[Halley · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, a great read. A very interesting perspective into life in small town America, especially from a queer woman's POV.

[Gina Christo · Rating 4 out of 5]

These days it’s easy to forget how hard queer people fought to exist and have families. Grateful to have read this acute reminder.

[Shelly Lizotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed but could've been a lot shorter.

[sammy mburu · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is good and it s ok.🙂

[KathyJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad, funny, ultimately triumphant. I did enjoy this memoir of Ms. Blum's experiences, with her partner, of conceiving, carrying and giving birth to her daughter, while living and teaching in a small, poor Appalachian town. As in all small towns, the residents cross the spectrum from loving, supportive and willing to grown to that minority that is small-minded and judgmental. Not sure that I would have stayed put and endured, but I salute the author and her life partner and their wonderful daughter for doing so. An entertaining read.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a beautifully written memoir about a young family just trying to make their way in small town America in the mid-90's. The fact that it is a lesbian couple makes the story even richer thanks to the author's honesty. So many emotions as I read this book! A wonderful & compelling read. I just wish there was a sequel...I miss them already!

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved this book. Having attended a college in a small town that was less than gay friendly, I can relate to their experiences trying to build a life as a couple when it seems the odds are against you. I thing Blum writes eloquently with humor and class.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just emotions I felt while reading this:
sadness. sympathy. anger [at others, not at her]. indignation. compassion.

Hard hard stuff, but I appreciated the open and honest perspective.