This fictional story is set in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. It is a fictional account of a year in the life of the American poet, Emily Dickinson, and her Irish housemaid, Ada. Their lives are simple and their days are filled with daily rituals, conversations - with family and each other- and tasks, until Ada is assaulted by one of the workers on the Dickinson's estate. Emily is forced by her conscience to act in defense of her friend. Throughout the novel, a homosexual sub-text is running -the inference and not always subtle, that Emily is in love with her sister-in-law. Most of the men in the story are portrayed as ineffectual and blaming (Emily's Father and the Priest), self-serving and cold (Emily's brother), or cruel and bullying (Crohan, the rapist).
Verdict: The book is well-written but the domestic life of a poet and her servant is probably not a subject that most second level students will enjoy being forced to study. Some parents will object to the sexual scenes described in the book (Emily kissing her sister-in-law on the lips; the rape scene etc). The completely fictional storyline of Emily's sexual desire for Susan will be sure to enrage some die-hard Dickinson fans who are familiar with her writings upholdng the virtues of deep, platonic friendship. The book does not contain much foul language (Ada occasionally lets a crude word slip).
Verdict: Could be used in the classroom but there are probably hundreds of more suitable texts, written for a younger audience which could deal with themes of friendship, loyalty, family, oppression of women etc.
Emily Dickinson a lesbian??? Give me a break -are we stooping so low as to infer that any woman who has deep friendships in her life and who doesn't marry, is probably a secret lesbian?! This completely fabricated storyline makes me angry and totally spoiled the book for me. I wouldn't recommend this to second level students who might get the idea that every friendship has a lesbian undertone to it.....
Tracey D. Parent Co. Galway
Another book on our kids' curriculum which has to have the usual mix of sexual themes and scenes in it. And the negative portrayal of Fathers and Mothers and men in general!
Pauric M. Co.Louth