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Solitaire and Brahms
A reflective novel of emerging lesbian identity, set in 1962.
Shelby Camden is a young career woman who wonders why her engagement and impending marriage seem to constrict her to the point of depression and drink. Then she meets her new neighbor, the independent Fran Jarvis with whom she finds she can share her innermost thoughts. They begin to understand what they mean to each other.
Shelby Camden is a young career woman who wonders why her engagement and impending marriage seem to constrict her to the point of depression and drink. Then she meets her new neighbor, the independent Fran Jarvis with whom she finds she can share her innermost thoughts. They begin to understand what they mean to each other.
284 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
1 person is currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Dreher
13 books23 followersBorn March 26, 1937, in Hanover, Pa., Sarah Dreher attended Wellesley College and went on to earn her doctorate in clinical psychology from Purdue University. She moved in 1965 to Amherst, MA where she established her private practice. She was the co-founder of Sunrise-Amanecer Inc., a nonprofit organization, serving as president and clinical director for seven years. She was a member of the Welsh Society of Western New England and an activist during the women's movement.
Dreher was the author of the Stoner McTavish lesbian detective series. The seventh in the series, Shaman's Moon, won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery for 1998. Dreher was also the author of several plays and a romance novel Solitaire and Brahms. She was the recipient of the 2005 Alice B. Readers' Award.
Dreher was the author of the Stoner McTavish lesbian detective series. The seventh in the series, Shaman's Moon, won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery for 1998. Dreher was also the author of several plays and a romance novel Solitaire and Brahms. She was the recipient of the 2005 Alice B. Readers' Award.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 30, 2023
This sapphic romance novel had been standing on my (physical) bookshelf for years, and only now did I become aware of it again and read it for the first time. And I must say I’m amazed how good it is!
I was drawn into the plot right from the start by the detailed descriptions of nature, surroundings and the rich inner life of the main character, whom we’ll get to know very well over the course of the tale.
US-American Author Sarah Dreher, born in 1937, published this book in 1997 and we can only guess how much of the main character’s experience match Dreher’s own … By all means, the story feels very personal.
It takes place in New England in the sixties. Twenty-five-year-old Shelby, a young career woman, works as a copy editor for a woman’s magazine and seems to get ahead fast – which is a thorn in her mother’s side because she wants a future as a good housewife for her daughter. It’s a useful coincidence that Prince Charming is already waiting for her: Shelby’s likeable fiancé is a doctor-to-be and keen to marry her as soon as possible. In addition, she has a nice apartment and plays bridge with some friends regularly. She lives an orderly, almost perfect life.
Only almost, though, because in truth, Shelby suffers from headaches, her game partners are rather colleagues than close friends – and she feels lonely and contemplates suicide frequently.
But one day, she meets her new neighbor, Fran, and immediately clicks with her. The two women become friends, start to do things together and get familiar with each other very soon. Shelby feels happy whenever she’s together with her new friend.
But the people around her are much less enthused. Especially when it turns out that Fran has a dark secret: She’s a lesbian! And Shelby has to come to a decision at last …
The author describes with a lot of empathy and sensitivity how the two young women are coming closer to one another – and she devotes A LOT of time to develop the romantic relationship between Shelby and Fran. It’s a VERY slooooww burn – unsuitable for impatient readers!
But the people who are willing to get involved emotionally are rewarded with a compassionate story where characters come to life you can easily empathize with. I particularly enjoyed the relaxed banter between the characters, especially the two lovers.
And even though Shelby’s liberation from her social constraints happens with an almost unbearable slowness, it’s great to see that she’s finally able to shake off her shackles and to emancipate herself.
With this book, Sarah Dreher has written a funny, thoughtful, sometimes painful, but also hopeful novel that reflects the repressive era in which it’s set.
But above all, it’s a warmhearted, very romantic story about the tender, affectionate relationship between two young women who find out what (and whom!) they really want.
Highly recommended! 5 stars.
I was drawn into the plot right from the start by the detailed descriptions of nature, surroundings and the rich inner life of the main character, whom we’ll get to know very well over the course of the tale.
US-American Author Sarah Dreher, born in 1937, published this book in 1997 and we can only guess how much of the main character’s experience match Dreher’s own … By all means, the story feels very personal.
It takes place in New England in the sixties. Twenty-five-year-old Shelby, a young career woman, works as a copy editor for a woman’s magazine and seems to get ahead fast – which is a thorn in her mother’s side because she wants a future as a good housewife for her daughter. It’s a useful coincidence that Prince Charming is already waiting for her: Shelby’s likeable fiancé is a doctor-to-be and keen to marry her as soon as possible. In addition, she has a nice apartment and plays bridge with some friends regularly. She lives an orderly, almost perfect life.
Only almost, though, because in truth, Shelby suffers from headaches, her game partners are rather colleagues than close friends – and she feels lonely and contemplates suicide frequently.
But one day, she meets her new neighbor, Fran, and immediately clicks with her. The two women become friends, start to do things together and get familiar with each other very soon. Shelby feels happy whenever she’s together with her new friend.
But the people around her are much less enthused. Especially when it turns out that Fran has a dark secret: She’s a lesbian! And Shelby has to come to a decision at last …
The author describes with a lot of empathy and sensitivity how the two young women are coming closer to one another – and she devotes A LOT of time to develop the romantic relationship between Shelby and Fran. It’s a VERY slooooww burn – unsuitable for impatient readers!
But the people who are willing to get involved emotionally are rewarded with a compassionate story where characters come to life you can easily empathize with. I particularly enjoyed the relaxed banter between the characters, especially the two lovers.
And even though Shelby’s liberation from her social constraints happens with an almost unbearable slowness, it’s great to see that she’s finally able to shake off her shackles and to emancipate herself.
With this book, Sarah Dreher has written a funny, thoughtful, sometimes painful, but also hopeful novel that reflects the repressive era in which it’s set.
But above all, it’s a warmhearted, very romantic story about the tender, affectionate relationship between two young women who find out what (and whom!) they really want.
Highly recommended! 5 stars.
July 21, 2023
Oh goodness.
It's nice to know that things never really change. There's comfort in the rigidity of society. But some things really should have changed since the era this book was about was six decades ago.
Devastating and sweet by turn, two women live in single apartments in the same house and strike up an easy friendship. The main character, Shelby, has an overbearing and unaffectionate parent, a fiance that's more into her than she is into him, and work friends that gossip and insert themselves into each other's lives.
It's not until the neighbour, Fran, gets sick, that Shelby starts to realise what's wrong with her life. The cause of her apathy, insomnia and constant headaches. She doesn't enjoy her life, and can't see a way to make any of the changes she wants.
Incredibly sensitive given the material, and having just finished reading the Stoner McTavish series, the recurrent themes of rejection by society and family are as familiar as they are still a reality.
Sarah Dreher was born in the 1930's. Before the second world war. The amount of social change she's seen is immense, and it's only been the last decade or so that things have started to change, yet her book is still incredibly relevant, especially with the way things are reverting in her homeland.
An absolute gem of a book that will go into my rotation of rereads.
It's nice to know that things never really change. There's comfort in the rigidity of society. But some things really should have changed since the era this book was about was six decades ago.
Devastating and sweet by turn, two women live in single apartments in the same house and strike up an easy friendship. The main character, Shelby, has an overbearing and unaffectionate parent, a fiance that's more into her than she is into him, and work friends that gossip and insert themselves into each other's lives.
It's not until the neighbour, Fran, gets sick, that Shelby starts to realise what's wrong with her life. The cause of her apathy, insomnia and constant headaches. She doesn't enjoy her life, and can't see a way to make any of the changes she wants.
Incredibly sensitive given the material, and having just finished reading the Stoner McTavish series, the recurrent themes of rejection by society and family are as familiar as they are still a reality.
Sarah Dreher was born in the 1930's. Before the second world war. The amount of social change she's seen is immense, and it's only been the last decade or so that things have started to change, yet her book is still incredibly relevant, especially with the way things are reverting in her homeland.
An absolute gem of a book that will go into my rotation of rereads.
September 12, 2017
So relieved I still love this.
It's a shame it didn't receive the care it deserved when it was digitized. Not a whole lot but still too many OCR errors.
It's a shame it didn't receive the care it deserved when it was digitized. Not a whole lot but still too many OCR errors.
September 1, 2017
It's been a while since a book sucked me in like this one did (there may have been some sneaky reading at work). A well-observed and moving coming out story. Recommended for fans of Carol who want something similar.
November 5, 2007
So far as I know this is Sarah Dreher's only novel that isn't a Stoner McTavish story. I really liked most of the Stoner books so I was looking forward to reading this one. Not that it's new; it was published in 1997, but I only learned about Dreher's work a couple of years ago and it's been fun catching up.
This is the story of a woman's coming out, not only to others, but to herself. But, it's set in the early sixties during Kennedy's presidency. Coming out then often had far more serious consequences that it does today and it can still be risky enough today.
Dreher has a knack for characters and the characters always felt real to me. They didn't always do things the way I would do them, but I could see how they made the decisions they did. I can't say much without getting into spoilers but I can say this a book I really enjoyed.
This is the story of a woman's coming out, not only to others, but to herself. But, it's set in the early sixties during Kennedy's presidency. Coming out then often had far more serious consequences that it does today and it can still be risky enough today.
Dreher has a knack for characters and the characters always felt real to me. They didn't always do things the way I would do them, but I could see how they made the decisions they did. I can't say much without getting into spoilers but I can say this a book I really enjoyed.
November 5, 2009
I really enjoyed reading this. I wanted to keep reading, but didn't want it to end. The book is set in 1962 and follows a 6 month period in the life of 25 year old Shelby Camden. She is engaged to be married the next year and has a very controlling mother. Shelby is constantly getting migraines and begins to contemplate suicide with all the pressure put upon her by family and friends.
Early on in the book, Shelby meets Fran Jarvis who moves into the house where she lives. Her friendship with Fran allows her to eventually take control of her life and figure out what she needs to do. I don't know if I would have the courage to do some of the things Shelby did in the end, then or in today's times. I loved Fran's character in particular, even though this is Shelby's story.
Early on in the book, Shelby meets Fran Jarvis who moves into the house where she lives. Her friendship with Fran allows her to eventually take control of her life and figure out what she needs to do. I don't know if I would have the courage to do some of the things Shelby did in the end, then or in today's times. I loved Fran's character in particular, even though this is Shelby's story.
April 27, 2016
Wow
This was a book I didn't want to end. Well written and insightful and for those of us over the hill lesbians a jolting reminder o f the not so pleasant past. I had forgotten the extent we went through to hide our private lives. This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend to young and old alike.
This was a book I didn't want to end. Well written and insightful and for those of us over the hill lesbians a jolting reminder o f the not so pleasant past. I had forgotten the extent we went through to hide our private lives. This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend to young and old alike.
July 27, 2011
I love this book!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews