Other Girls

by Diane Ayres

Arriving at stately Willard College, English major Elizabeth Breedlove finds herself immersed in world of academic rivalry, sexual secrets, and life-affirming revelations when she becomes enamored with Pip, a quick-witted and sharp-tongued girl who resides in an intricate world of Sapphic passion. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Queer, LGBT, Lesbian Fiction, Lesbian

416 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's completely heartbreaking and devestating. but at the same, it's witty and funny. just remember, the ends justify the means. it's also very well written. this book is constantly on loop in my mind, i have read it so many times (and not tired of it) that i can quote passages. there is so much depth to characters in this book, you could drown in it. it is however, a sophisticated read. that takes place in the 1970's. think you can handle it?

whats so great about the humor in this book is that its so inclusive. you feel like you are always in the midst of a terribly funny inside joke. its blatantly wonderful.

[Merredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a great book, but coming after a bad book, its good book-ness was appreciated. It's about four girls, mainly from the point of view of one, Elizabeth, who go to college at an all girls school in the 70's. Partway through, something really bad happens, and it changes everything… blah blah… they follow them for a while after school till they're in mid 20s and 30. It's really talky, in a very girl, melodramatic way. It reminded me of the L word. Everything is a drama and also overinflated. Ugh I hated that about college, everyone talking all fancy to sound smart. Bleh. I got to learn some new terms such as kai kai, and get a better insight into feminism and lesbianism. However, I didn't like any of the characters. Nope, not one. I did relate to one passage… "Jo asked her why she [referred the company of men to women, when she seemed most attracted to women sexually. 'I know this must sound absurd, but women terrify me.' Elizabeth laughed, but she wasn't kidding. 'I have never related to women as easily as I relate to men, as friends or lovers. Men are so easy to understand compared to women. And men never crucify me for being with women, But women, jeezus. My policy with straight women, is, never ever tell them the truth, even if they ask a million times. God knows I've learned this the hard way. If I'm honest, they run screaming. If I'm evasive, then it's not much of a friendship, is it? And dykes? Yikes.'" Of course, I'm not completely like her, esp with what she says about talking to straight women. But seriously, she mostly hit a nerve. I relate to men much better. And that one relation with Elizabeth is what saved this book as being good even though it's often pretentious and drawn out.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I love the way the author uses words with more than two syllables. This books is set at Willard College in the 70's and is about a girl realizing just how much she likes other girls. You will find this one also hard to put down!

You can read excerpts from this book on Google Books.

Other Girls

[Izzy Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book that addresses bisexuality in a serious tone. The characters are fleshed out quite well and the plot moves and moves forward without delay and without rushing. The dialogue makes it fun and the insight into each of the characters' motives without being "told" about these motives makes it touching. Love it.

[Alandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book...for the most part. I felt like Ayres introduced characters a little late in the story, but that the main characters were extremely relatable! It was as if I was experiencing the ups and downs that each character went through. Wonderful character development! I'll probably be reading this again!

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need to be reviewed.

[Sage V · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fantastic book addressing LGBT Romance (Namely Lesbian and Bisexual Romance) Between the Main characters (Elizabeth Breedlove, Pip Collier and Dusie Hertz), primarily revolving around Elizabeth Breedlove.

I can't give this book a 5/5 review because there were a lot of parts of the book that i found personally disturbing, without warning. There are multiple mentions, and implications of Rape within the book, along with Self Harm, and Attempted Suicide. If the book had mentioned it, or gave a warning before reading, i still would have Read the book, as it is a fantastic read, but i felt unprepared for these situations and it put me in a slump while reading the first time, stopping me from reading the remainder of the book for a couple of weeks.

This book does also mention heavy Alcohol and Drug Use, Though it is primarily centered on Cigarettes and Weed.

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with many twists and many viewpoints. The pattern of the narrative is very unexpected. Full of surprises. None of the characters are "likable" but they are relatable, which often draws readers in with a particular drive to see how relatively intricate minds choose to progress within story.

[Kate Hoffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really fun read. Falls into a lot of frustrating queer stereotypes but the friendships and ending save it from being just that

[cassian love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abandoned, it wasn't my type

[Deidre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me of Vassar just one decade earlier.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a woman’s college should be