Boundaries

by Jane Retzig

West Yorkshire, 1979. Social worker Elizabeth Smith has finally gathered the courage to end her unhappy marriage. Lost and lonely, she buries herself in work to keep her emptiness at bay. Then she takes in battered sixth former Jan as a lodger and suddenly she finds her whole world turned upside down....

Genres: Audiobook, Lesbian, LGBT

230 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 1994

About the author

Hi, my name is Jane Retzig and I really hope you enjoy my books.

I've been a huge fan of lesbian fiction ever since I discovered that I loved women, and in the 1980's and 90's I could regularly be found in 'Silver Moon' and 'Gay's the Word' Bookshops in London, happily working my way through the shelves of lesbian writing there.

My first novel 'Boundaries' was published in paperback in 1994 by 'The Dimsdale Press', a tiny and slightly quirky Lesbian Small Press who also published novels by popular lesbian fiction authors Jane Fletcher and Christina Smythe. Everything at 'Dimsdale' was done on a shoe-string. My launch party consisted of a cup of cappuccino at Bar Italia in Soho, and I frequently ended up carrying huge box-loads of books around London on public transport to cut down on distribution costs.

It was good fun. And over that first year, I was delighted to see 'Boundaries' reach the 'Lesbian Fiction Bestsellers' lists in independent bookstores across the UK. My second book, 'The Legacy', a novella, was published in 1995 and also sold well.

Sadly, changes in the economy and book market in the UK meant that many of our much-loved independent bookstores closed in the late 90's, so 'Dimsdale' lost most of their major outlets and reluctantly ceased trading, leaving me without a publisher.

Life intervened for me at that point too and I took a fairly prolonged break from writing. Then the e-book revolution tempted me out of retirement. I re-issued 'Boundaries' in April 2013. 'The Photograph' (October 2013) was my first new book to be published this century... which makes me sound really ancient!!!

Since then, I've issued a further eight novels. 'The Full Legacy' was a full length re-write of 'The Legacy', which I always thought was too short to do full justice to the characters.
'The Wrong Woman Quartet' was initially inspired by bullying experienced by myself and a group of my close friends, but became a four book series following the lives and loves of the central characters.
'The Retreat', was a novel about two best friends who fall in love with the same woman.
'A Tale of Two Sisters' was set in the two heatwave summers of 1976 and 2018.
And 'Alstrom', my final novel is a second chance at love/homecoming story about a reclusive rock singer.

All my books are available in kindle, paperback and audio. And the music of Alstrom is also available via all major streaming services.

I think that's just about all. Except to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who's taken the time to write to me or post reviews. It's always great to hear from you. I really do value your comments and feedback.

Thank you
And Happy Reading!

Jane (janeretzig@gmail.com)

Reviews

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very appropriately named book. I would think the author had studied some psychology for how realistically she hits on touchy boundary issues vs love in this tale. though honestly everyone in this book is scandalous to some extent, making the main characters ' issues seem petty.
I read a portion of this audio book, then went back and listened to that part over. The narrator does a far better job of drawing these characters than just words or my imagination could have done.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, this book has only 45 ratings?? How is that possible! This should be a reference point in my opinion, for so many people. It's settled in 1979 which is before I was born, and first published in 1994, but it's so modern! A girl (seventeen years old) falls in love with an older woman..I won't talk about the plot since the blurb is already long enough. I will just say that this is not your usual lesbian fiction full of clichès and pain and suffering with depressing endings, and it's not superficial as sometimes they are. This is a novel, a romance, a book about coming of age, about sexuality, politic, abuse, and love. It is also about a lesbian girl, but this is secondary to the story. The characterization is good even if the book is really short. I was emotionally involved, sometimes enraged, confused. It is a strong book, not for everybody. There are different kind of violence and abuse and love can be sometimes so strictly intertwined that is difficult to be sure where the boundaries really are. And it's also possible to hurt someone just because you don't want to hurt him (her). And in the end what is worst?
I really don't have the words to fully explain my feelings but please, read it! I recommend it to all of my friends, gay or straight or whatever!

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier this month, Audible released a production of Jane Retzig's 1994 novel Boundaries. It features compelling storytelling and strong narration that will stay with you long after you finish listening.

The story unfolds in Northern England in the late 1970s and spans several years in the lives of two women, Elizabeth and Jan. Told in alternating, first person narratives, the listener is privy to how the women develop over time. At times, the listener is perhaps more aware of what is going on inside the protagonists than they themselves are. Elizabeth, a social worker in her mid-30s, takes on a younger boarder named Jan, at the behest of a colleague. Jan is on the cusp of her 18th birthday when her parents learn of a cache of love letters between their daughter and a family friend and kick her out. She makes do with a part-time job, school (she's a stellar student), and pints of lager at local pubs.

Jan falls hard and fast for Elizabeth, but the older woman resists the mutual attraction. She immerses herself in university life, but continues to carry a torch for Elizabeth. Desire is always present, just beneath the surface, at times breaking to the forefront dramatically, before plunging back into the depths. They struggle with this gray territory and it has intense consequences for both women. "Ask me to stay and I will," Jan pleads with Elizabeth towards the end, as her girlfriend waits outside to whisk her away. It's a heart wrenching scene, one that is far from the first shared between the two women. They won't see each other again for many years. Can they overcome the boundaries that divide them or will they remain emotionally adrift?

Jane Retzig crafts complex characters that I believe will resonate with listeners. Layers of uncertainty, fear, and longing are woven into social interactions and private introspection. The story gives me "took the long way home" feels; very much so for Elizabeth on her personal journey, but also for Elizabeth and Jan as a couple. Their complicated friendship points to many possible outcomes. It provides a strong case for it never being too late to take a chance or change direction in life.

Narrator Jan Kramer delivers nuanced, engaging performances as Elizabeth and Jan. I found myself entranced by her performance. She breathes life into the women, drawing them up off the page as she gives voice to their joys and pains. When she slips back and forth between Elizabeth's and Jan's first person chapters, there is no confusion as to who is speaking, through whose eyes we are viewing the world. Jan Kramer's choice of inflection, tone, and pitch suit the characters perfectly. The rest of the characters who people this world are also clearly defined. Jan's father leaps off the page; his anger loud and visceral as lashes out at his daughter. Elizabeth's sister's unhappiness haunts the pages, haunting the choices that Elizabeth makes (or doesn't make); her voice nags and nit picks and whines. As the she takes us through the events, the changes that occur are keenly heard and profoundly felt.

If you're looking for an audiobook that strongly evokes a time, place, and people, consider Boundaries as a staycation travel guide.

Boundaries
Author: Jane Retzig
Narrator: Jan Kramer - (also at)
Produced by Audible
Length: 5 hours, 59 minutes
Audiobook production date: 2016
ASIN: B01DTF2PBY
Available as an audiobook from Audible.com

Read more reviews on my blog: jthompsonian.wordpress.com

[Book Worm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book knows no boundaries
This is a thought-provoking book. It deals with the boundaries, the prison we built for ourselves. But it also shows how difficult and mind-boggling it can be too deal with social expectations. In the end we have to make peace with who we are and nobody can really help us with that. Of course some people, that cross our paths, become catalysts for our way to ourselves and some hold us back.
What I especially like about this book is that we fall in love with the protagonist's characters. Until the end I could not make up my mind whom I liked more Jan or Elizabeth. I had this very clear picture of both and was deeply moved by their story.

[lauraღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good! I liked the ways it addressed trauma and abuse (though I do feel it could have been firmer on who was culpable, and even though Jan wouldn't have wanted her to, I can't believe that Elizabeth, as a social worker, didn't bring the law down on Alice). I felt for Sharon, I really did, but Jan's willingness to be with her despite her disgusting politics was baffling to me! Who cares if right wingers have feelings when they disenfranchise others?

I'm glad that Elizabeth did the responsible thing, and I'm glad that they got their happy ending after all.

[Kay read by Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

When characters can't sort themselves out when all the feelings and knowledge are in place I find frustration instead of satisfaction. Very disappointed.

[Vibeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you get surprised when you listen to a audiobook (or read a book). And the best kind of surprises is when the book turns out so much better than expected. And sometimes you can’t even tell exactly what moved you - except the book just grew on you while reading/listening, and when it ended you still keeps thinking about the book.
Boundaries by Jane Retzig is a book like that. I expected a great romance, but That I didn’t get, instead I got SO much more. This is a book that will stay in my mind for the next long time - still wondering what happened and what made it impossible for me to explain what happened inside me. It was like when I read Saint-Exupérys “The little Prince” og Richard Bachs “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” for the first time too. I can’t explain it, I won’t even try. All I will say about this book is: It’s a big gem in an oyster

[Concordia West · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only give this book three stars because it's not badly written and the characters are quite believable. I couldn't really finish it, however, because while I understand why the characters act the way they do, any 30 year old should know better than to start up a romance with an abused 18 year old whose living conditions depend on the older woman. Once that started up, I just put the book down.

No thank you.

[killyourname · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disgusting.

The book includes:
- domestic violence
- sexual abuse
- plain rape
- adultery
- pedophelia
- brother/sister incest
- a willing gangbang with fascists
- a young heroine who defends her abuser throughout the book
- good-for-nothing older women who sleep with the younger one but are unable to take responsibility for her.

[Connitha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trigger caution! This book has some major sexual abuse themes. I went back and read the preview on Audible and there is very little indication of this. There are some really tough topics that almost get normalized in this book. I finished the book but it sure was a tough read!

[wren4777 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh how I loved the setting and the characters. I just wish there had been more of a romance between them.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earlier this month, Audible released a production of Jane Retzig's 1994 novel Boundaries. It features compelling storytelling and strong narration that will stay with you long after you finish listening.

The story unfolds in Northern England in the late 1970s and spans several years in the lives of two women, Elizabeth and Jan. Told in alternating, first person narratives, the listener is privy to how the women develop over time. At times, the listener is perhaps more aware of what is going on inside the protagonists than they themselves are. Elizabeth, a social worker in her mid-30s, takes on a younger boarder named Jan, at the behest of a colleague. Jan is on the cusp of her 18th birthday when her parents learn of a cache of love letters between their daughter and a family friend and kick her out. She makes do with a part-time job, school (she's a stellar student), and pints of lager at local pubs.

Jan falls hard and fast for Elizabeth, but the older woman resists the mutual attraction. She immerses herself in university life, but continues to carry a torch for Elizabeth. Desire is always present, just beneath the surface, at times breaking to the forefront dramatically, before plunging back into the depths. They struggle with this gray territory and it has intense consequences for both women. "Ask me to stay and I will," Jan pleads with Elizabeth towards the end, as her girlfriend waits outside to whisk her away. It's a heart wrenching scene, one that is far from the first shared between the two women. They won't see each other again for many years. Can they overcome the boundaries that divide them or will they remain emotionally adrift?

Jane Retzig crafts complex characters that I believe will resonate with listeners. Layers of uncertainty, fear, and longing are woven into social interactions and private introspection. The story gives me "took the long way home" feels; very much so for Elizabeth on her personal journey, but also for Elizabeth and Jan as a couple. Their complicated friendship points to many possible outcomes. It provides a strong case for it never being too late to take a chance or change direction in life.

Narrator Jan Kramer delivers nuanced, engaging performances as Elizabeth and Jan. I found myself entranced by her performance. She breathes life into the women, drawing them up off the page as she gives voice to their joys and pains. When she slips back and forth between Elizabeth's and Jan's first person chapters, there is no confusion as to who is speaking, through whose eyes we are viewing the world. Jan Kramer's choice of inflection, tone, and pitch suit the characters perfectly. The rest of the characters who people this world are also clearly defined. Jan's father leaps off the page; his anger loud and visceral as lashes out at his daughter. Elizabeth's sister's unhappiness haunts the pages, haunting the choices that Elizabeth makes (or doesn't make); her voice nags and nit picks and whines. As the she takes us through the events, the changes that occur are keenly heard and profoundly felt.

If you're looking for an audiobook that strongly evokes a time, place, and people, consider Boundaries as a staycation travel guide.

Boundaries
Author: Jane Retzig
Narrator: Jan Kramer - (also at)
Produced by Audible
Length: 5 hours, 59 minutes
Audiobook production date: 2016
ASIN: B01DTF2PBY

Available as an audiobook from Audible.

Read more reviews on my blog: jthompsonian.wordpress.com