I readily admit, the books I most enjoy reading are fiction, and those which stand out as favorites are those which portray characters so real that they remain in my head for days after I have finished reading. It is an uncommonly good writer who creates characters who stick so solidly in my mind that I am unable to move along to a new book. Ms. Stark has accomplished that very goal with her book, Shy Girl.

The book's beginning is a little confusing as we are dumped in the middle of an emergency situation, but the story not only pulls together well before the end of the first chapter, it becomes difficult to put down.

In Alta - our butch-lesbian - Stark has managed to capture the very essence of the butch personality. The motivations and reactions of a butch-lesbian are described so well as to make the reader become one with the character. The character was so well developed and went far beyond the usually offered simplification of behavior. The author shows us that butch/femme is not about role-playing, but rather a part of these women's characters and personality traits -- an integral part of who they are as individuals. Alta has a depth in every gesture, thought and action that has a truth within the personality weaved throughout this character.

Shy Girl Website

Life changing events force a young, butch lesbian living in San Francisco to confront her childhood experiences which continue to affect her current relationships. As events develop, it becomes apparent that before our heroine can begin to build a life beyond work and multiple lovers, she will need to come to understand her first lover, who left her more than six years earlier.

The character of Sasha [Shy] - the childhood-first-lover - was not presented as one dimensional by any means. Along with Alta we discover the depth of emotion and the motivations which caused Shy to run away. Not settling for the simplification of afraid of societal-rejection, Stark offers an understanding of the individual tied to the discovery of her own truths. The author shows us that the simple assumption is rarely the actual truth -- even when it means the pain of rejection of all that was shared between the two women.

There was no stereotyping in these characters, nor the narrow story-telling of events typical of lesbian story lines -- which makes for a rich and delightful story, as well as a satisfying ending.

Even after closing the book on the last page, the characters remain in my heart as close friends. Definitely an A+ from me!

Until next time...