Dot & Ralfie

by Amy Hoffman

Dorothy “Dot” Greenbaum and Rafaela “Ralfie” Santopietro have been together for thirty years, but as they age, their stable lives begin to show cracks. Rife with Hoffman’s characteristic wit, Dot & Ralfie takes a hard, sometimes painful look at LGBTQ+ elder care and the unique struggles that come with aging outside of heteronormative structures. Can they get through it all and stay together?

Genres: Fiction, LGBT, Queer, Lesbian

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 26, 2022

About the author

Amy Hoffman is a writer, editor, and long-time LGBTQ community activist in Boston. She is editor in chief of Women's Review of Books and on the creative nonfiction faculty of the Solstice MFA Program at Pine Manor College. When she is not writing, she likes reading, cooking, biking, yoga, and hanging out with her friends & her spouse, Roberta Stone. Hoffman is available to visit your book group.

Reviews

[Laura Sackton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a real joy. More books about the very banal realities of aging lesbians, please. I wrote a review here: https://booksandbakes.substack.com/i/...

[Emmaby Barton Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

ended up being a bit disappointed by this one - i liked the idea of slice of life older lesbian couple, but it just ended up being a bit ~too~ boring for me. still, was interesting to get insight into the experiences of ageing - and the intersections of this with queerness.

"Maybe this is what aging is, she thinks. Small things become big things. Or rather, there are no small things. It's like when you're a kid. A step taken, a shoelace tied, a word on the page - everything's a revelation. Except now, everything's an obstacle. A loss of footing, a little shortness of breath, and you can't just jump back up and keep running anymore. Instead, your life is wrecked."

[Harneen · Rating 5 out of 5]

How wonderful to read this novella about a lesbian couple who is aging. — in place! The author has written an insightful, warm and humorous book that made me realize how much I enjoy seeing my life on the page. I loved getting to know all the characters — through their foibles and strengths. Definitely worth reading!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review at Reading World

[Paz · Rating 4 out of 5]

caitvi modern (elderly) au

this book made me giggle a lot

[Maia Zade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goofy, but the characters grew on me. (Plus, I appreciate the representation for older lesbians.)